What is Humanistic Therapies ?
Before the advent of humanism in the late 50s, psychological issues were used to be envisioned as symptoms emanating from the unconscious, pathology or disorders. From psychoanalysis to CBT, all these approaches tend to assume human beings are split from within; they have a disturbing core (unconscious/ sub-conscious), which they suffer from. Contrary to these notions, the humanistic school assumes the wholeness of the person. They hold that everyone is responsible for their actions and well-being. Instead of a predetermined set of impulses, drives, urges or behaviours, the humanistic school assumes the subject to be an agency capable of self-fulfilment and actualizations.
This approach diverges from more traditional, medically oriented therapies by focusing on the unique experiences and subjective reality of each individual, prioritizing their autonomy and self-discovery. Humanistic therapists encourage clients to explore their feelings, values, and beliefs, fostering self-awareness and self-acceptance. These therapies aim to help individuals overcome obstacles, enhance their self-esteem, and achieve a more authentic, satisfying life.
Person-centred therapy
Person-centred therapy is a therapeutic method developed by Carl Rogers. It places paramount importance on creating an empathetic and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. This approach emphasizes the client’s self-exploration, self-acceptance, and personal growth. The therapist acts as a facilitator, fostering a genuine, trusting relationship and providing unconditional positive regard, allowing the client to express their thoughts and emotions freely. Person-centred therapy values the client’s autonomy and self-determination, enabling them to gain insight into their experiences and make positive changes in their lives. This approach aligns with the broader humanistic philosophy of recognizing and nurturing the individual’s potential for self-actualization and well-being.
Reality therapy
Reality Therapy, developed by William Glasser, is another humanistic therapeutic approach that focuses on helping individuals take responsibility for their choices and behaviours. It centres on the idea that people have the power to make effective choices to attain a satisfying life. Reality Therapy encourages clients to examine their wants and needs, set specific goals, and evaluate their actions in relation to those goals. The therapist serves as a guide, assisting clients in understanding the consequences of their decisions. This approach prioritizes personal accountability and emphasizes that behaviour is a choice, aiming to help individuals improve their decision-making skills and achieve greater control over their lives. Reality therapy recognizes five basic needs for every human being, namely: fun (pleasure, fulfilment and joy),
Existential therapy
Existential therapy is a philosophical approach to psychotherapy that delves into the depths of human existence and the fundamental questions that shape our lives. Rooted in the existentialist philosophy of thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Viktor Frankl, this therapeutic modality explores the profound issues of freedom, choice, responsibility, and the search for meaning.
Existential therapy seeks to empower individuals to confront the inherent anxieties and uncertainties of existence, helping them grapple with the paradox of human freedom and the burden of creating one’s own purpose in a seemingly indifferent universe. Therapists in this tradition encourage clients to engage in a process of self-reflection, exploring their values and beliefs and fostering a deeper understanding of their authentic selves.
By addressing these existential concerns, individuals can gain a greater sense of self-awareness and a more profound connection to their own lives, ultimately leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling existence. Existential therapy is a powerful tool for those seeking to confront life’s existential challenges and embrace their unique journey.
Gestalt therapy
Gestalt therapy is a dynamic and experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the here and now, focusing on the totality of an individual’s experience. Developed by Fritz Perls and Laura Perls, this therapeutic approach encourages clients to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours as they occur in the present moment.
In Gestalt therapy, the therapist and client collaborate to explore unresolved issues and conflicts, often through techniques such as role-playing, empty-chair dialogues, and guided imagery. The goal is to help clients gain insight into their patterns of behaviour and communication, promoting self-acceptance and personal growth.
This approach views individuals as integrated wholes, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and embracing all aspects of oneself, including the parts that may be in conflict.
Emotion-focused therapy
Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is a humanistic and experiential approach to psychotherapy that places emotions at the centre of the therapeutic process. Developed by Leslie Greenberg and Robert Elliott, EFT aims to help individuals understand, express, and regulate their emotions effectively.
In EFT, clients are encouraged to explore their emotional experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Therapists work collaboratively with clients to identify and process underlying emotional patterns and attachment-related issues that may be causing distress. By doing so, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their emotional responses and learn to transform maladaptive emotions into more adaptive ones.
Solution-focused brief therapy
Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented and time-efficient approach to psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and developing solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, SFBT is based on the premise that individuals possess the strengths and resources to overcome their challenges.
In SFBT, therapists collaborate with clients to envision their desired future and set achievable goals. Instead of delving into the details of past issues, the therapy emphasizes the present and future, exploring what has worked in the past and how those successes can be applied to current challenges. This approach encourages clients to identify and amplify their strengths and existing coping mechanisms.
Somatic therapies
Somatic therapies encompass a diverse range of therapeutic approaches that recognize the intricate connection between the mind and the body. These therapies acknowledge that emotional and psychological well-being is deeply intertwined with physical experiences and sensations. By engaging the body in the therapeutic process, somatic therapies aim to promote healing and personal growth.
One well-known somatic therapy is Somatic Experiencing, developed by Peter A. Levine, which focuses on resolving trauma and stress by paying attention to bodily sensations and promoting the release of stored tension. Other examples include dance movement therapy, yoga therapy, and body-centred psychotherapy, which utilize movement, breath, and touch to foster self-awareness, relaxation, and emotional expression.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a widely recognized and evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach primarily used for treating individuals who have experienced trauma or distressing life events. Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR therapy is grounded in the belief that the brain has a natural capacity for healing, and it aims to help individuals process and resolve traumatic memories.
EMDR involves a structured eight-phase approach where clients revisit distressing memories while simultaneously focusing on bilateral stimulation, often induced through rhythmic eye movements. This bilateral stimulation is thought to promote the brain’s natural processing of traumatic memories, leading to their desensitization and eventual integration into the person’s overall narrative.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that leverages the power of hypnosis to promote positive change, address various issues, and enhance well-being. During hypnotherapy, a trained therapist guides individuals into a relaxed, focused state of heightened suggestibility and concentration, often referred to as a trance.
In this altered state of consciousness, clients are more open to therapeutic suggestions and insights, allowing them to explore and address deep-seated thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. Hypnotherapy can be applied to various concerns, including anxiety, phobias, smoking cessation, weight management, and pain management. It is also used in the treatment of trauma and enhancing self-esteem.
Arts-based therapies
Arts-based therapies encompass a diverse range of therapeutic modalities that harness the power of creative expression to promote emotional healing and personal growth. These therapies utilize various artistic mediums, such as visual arts, music, dance, drama, and poetry, as vehicles for self-discovery and self-expression.
Art therapy, for instance, allows individuals to express their thoughts and emotions through visual art, facilitating communication and insight. Music therapy employs sound and rhythm to address psychological and physical challenges, while dance and movement therapies use the body’s expressive capacities to promote emotional release and healing.
Arts-based therapies are particularly effective for individuals who may find it challenging to articulate their feelings verbally or for those seeking alternative ways to explore and process their inner world. They offer a safe and creative space for self-reflection, emotional release, and personal transformation.
Animal-assisted therapy
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a therapeutic approach that incorporates interactions with animals, often dogs, cats, horses, or other animals, into the therapeutic process. This unique form of therapy recognizes the remarkable healing and comforting qualities that animals can offer. AAT is particularly effective for individuals dealing with various emotional, psychological, or physical challenges.
During AAT sessions, individuals engage in activities with trained therapy animals, which can include petting, playing, grooming, or simply spending time in their presence. These interactions promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and stimulate the release of endorphins, contributing to an improved mood and a sense of emotional well-being.
AAT has shown significant benefits for a wide range of conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and autism spectrum disorders. It can also aid in the rehabilitation of physical injuries and enhance the overall quality of life for individuals with chronic illnesses.
Person-centred therapy
Person-centred therapy is a therapeutic method developed by Carl Rogers. It places paramount importance on creating an empathetic and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. This approach emphasizes the client’s self-exploration, self-acceptance, and personal growth. The therapist acts as a facilitator, fostering a genuine, trusting relationship and providing unconditional positive regard, allowing the client to express their thoughts and emotions freely. Person-centred therapy values the client’s autonomy and self-determination, enabling them to gain insight into their experiences and make positive changes in their lives. This approach aligns with the broader humanistic philosophy of recognizing and nurturing the individual’s potential for self-actualization and well-being.
Reality therapy
Reality Therapy, developed by William Glasser, is another humanistic therapeutic approach that focuses on helping individuals take responsibility for their choices and behaviours. It centres on the idea that people have the power to make effective choices to attain a satisfying life. Reality Therapy encourages clients to examine their wants and needs, set specific goals, and evaluate their actions in relation to those goals. The therapist serves as a guide, assisting clients in understanding the consequences of their decisions. This approach prioritizes personal accountability and emphasizes that behaviour is a choice, aiming to help individuals improve their decision-making skills and achieve greater control over their lives. Reality therapy recognizes five basic needs for every human being, namely: fun (pleasure, fulfilment and joy),
Existential therapy
Existential therapy is a philosophical approach to psychotherapy that delves into the depths of human existence and the fundamental questions that shape our lives. Rooted in the existentialist philosophy of thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Viktor Frankl, this therapeutic modality explores the profound issues of freedom, choice, responsibility, and the search for meaning.
Existential therapy seeks to empower individuals to confront the inherent anxieties and uncertainties of existence, helping them grapple with the paradox of human freedom and the burden of creating one’s own purpose in a seemingly indifferent universe. Therapists in this tradition encourage clients to engage in a process of self-reflection, exploring their values and beliefs and fostering a deeper understanding of their authentic selves.
By addressing these existential concerns, individuals can gain a greater sense of self-awareness and a more profound connection to their own lives, ultimately leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling existence. Existential therapy is a powerful tool for those seeking to confront life’s existential challenges and embrace their unique journey.
Gestalt therapy
Gestalt therapy is a dynamic and experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the here and now, focusing on the totality of an individual’s experience. Developed by Fritz Perls and Laura Perls, this therapeutic approach encourages clients to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours as they occur in the present moment.
In Gestalt therapy, the therapist and client collaborate to explore unresolved issues and conflicts, often through techniques such as role-playing, empty-chair dialogues, and guided imagery. The goal is to help clients gain insight into their patterns of behaviour and communication, promoting self-acceptance and personal growth.
This approach views individuals as integrated wholes, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and embracing all aspects of oneself, including the parts that may be in conflict.
Emotion-focused therapy
Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is a humanistic and experiential approach to psychotherapy that places emotions at the centre of the therapeutic process. Developed by Leslie Greenberg and Robert Elliott, EFT aims to help individuals understand, express, and regulate their emotions effectively.
In EFT, clients are encouraged to explore their emotional experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Therapists work collaboratively with clients to identify and process underlying emotional patterns and attachment-related issues that may be causing distress. By doing so, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their emotional responses and learn to transform maladaptive emotions into more adaptive ones.
Solution-focused brief therapy
Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented and time-efficient approach to psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and developing solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, SFBT is based on the premise that individuals possess the strengths and resources to overcome their challenges.
In SFBT, therapists collaborate with clients to envision their desired future and set achievable goals. Instead of delving into the details of past issues, the therapy emphasizes the present and future, exploring what has worked in the past and how those successes can be applied to current challenges. This approach encourages clients to identify and amplify their strengths and existing coping mechanisms.
Somatic therapies
Somatic therapies encompass a diverse range of therapeutic approaches that recognize the intricate connection between the mind and the body. These therapies acknowledge that emotional and psychological well-being is deeply intertwined with physical experiences and sensations. By engaging the body in the therapeutic process, somatic therapies aim to promote healing and personal growth.
One well-known somatic therapy is Somatic Experiencing, developed by Peter A. Levine, which focuses on resolving trauma and stress by paying attention to bodily sensations and promoting the release of stored tension. Other examples include dance movement therapy, yoga therapy, and body-centred psychotherapy, which utilize movement, breath, and touch to foster self-awareness, relaxation, and emotional expression.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a widely recognized and evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach primarily used for treating individuals who have experienced trauma or distressing life events. Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR therapy is grounded in the belief that the brain has a natural capacity for healing, and it aims to help individuals process and resolve traumatic memories.
EMDR involves a structured eight-phase approach where clients revisit distressing memories while simultaneously focusing on bilateral stimulation, often induced through rhythmic eye movements. This bilateral stimulation is thought to promote the brain’s natural processing of traumatic memories, leading to their desensitization and eventual integration into the person’s overall narrative.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that leverages the power of hypnosis to promote positive change, address various issues, and enhance well-being. During hypnotherapy, a trained therapist guides individuals into a relaxed, focused state of heightened suggestibility and concentration, often referred to as a trance.
In this altered state of consciousness, clients are more open to therapeutic suggestions and insights, allowing them to explore and address deep-seated thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. Hypnotherapy can be applied to various concerns, including anxiety, phobias, smoking cessation, weight management, and pain management. It is also used in the treatment of trauma and enhancing self-esteem.
Arts-based therapies
Arts-based therapies encompass a diverse range of therapeutic modalities that harness the power of creative expression to promote emotional healing and personal growth. These therapies utilize various artistic mediums, such as visual arts, music, dance, drama, and poetry, as vehicles for self-discovery and self-expression.
Art therapy, for instance, allows individuals to express their thoughts and emotions through visual art, facilitating communication and insight. Music therapy employs sound and rhythm to address psychological and physical challenges, while dance and movement therapies use the body’s expressive capacities to promote emotional release and healing.
Arts-based therapies are particularly effective for individuals who may find it challenging to articulate their feelings verbally or for those seeking alternative ways to explore and process their inner world. They offer a safe and creative space for self-reflection, emotional release, and personal transformation.
Animal-assisted therapy
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a therapeutic approach that incorporates interactions with animals, often dogs, cats, horses, or other animals, into the therapeutic process. This unique form of therapy recognizes the remarkable healing and comforting qualities that animals can offer. AAT is particularly effective for individuals dealing with various emotional, psychological, or physical challenges.
During AAT sessions, individuals engage in activities with trained therapy animals, which can include petting, playing, grooming, or simply spending time in their presence. These interactions promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and stimulate the release of endorphins, contributing to an improved mood and a sense of emotional well-being.
AAT has shown significant benefits for a wide range of conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and autism spectrum disorders. It can also aid in the rehabilitation of physical injuries and enhance the overall quality of life for individuals with chronic illnesses.