Whenever you find yourself in a tough spot in life, it is always beneficial for you to consider therapy with a licensed mental health professional. However, at the same time, it is important to remember that not all therapy is the same. Humanistic therapy is a tad bit different from the traditional kinds of therapies out there. Instead of focusing on what’s “wrong” in your life, this kind of therapy is more about helping you connect with your true self for your personal growth. It’s about recognising that, no matter what you’ve been through, you’re capable of change and self-improvement.
What Is Humanistic Therapy, and How Does It Work?
Humanistic therapy lets you be free from judgement as you express yourself, your thoughts, and even your feelings. Here's a simple way of decoding how does humanistic therapy work:
- A Non-Judgmental Space: Unlike other methods of immediately diving into the problem solving aspect of things, your therapist will listen to your personal experiences. This approach is based on the presupposition that you have the necessary strength for change within you. Here, the work of the therapist is to provide an atmosphere where such change can occur.
- Focusing On Today: Humanistic therapy is all about how you feel at the moment. These sessions assist you in comprehending what you are going through and figuring out the next steps from there.
- Inculcating Self-Acceptance: A Humanistic therapist helps you in inculcating a sense of self-acceptance. Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply that it is advisable to settle for the lesser good and that you have to stop the process of self-improvement. It simply translates to the fact that self-acceptance helps you move forward in life.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Humanistic Therapy?
Humanistic therapy is not something that is strictly meant for those who are facing severe mental health issues. This therapy can also prove to be beneficial for anyone looking to better understand themselves and live a more fulfilling life. If you relate with any of the following symptoms below, you might just be the right fit for humanistic therapy.
- If you are someone who often feels lost or stuck in the everyday circle of life, considering humanistic therapy might just be the start of something good.
- Struggling with self-esteem is pretty common. If you have been battling with similar issues, humanistic therapy can be helpful for you in regaining lost confidence.
- You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from humanistic therapy. If you’re just looking to grow, reflect, and become more in tune with yourself, this therapy can provide the space and support you need.
- Many people who find themselves struggling with depression and anxiety find humanistic therapy helpful. This therapy helps in building up self-compassion.
Types of Humanistic Therapy
1. Person-Centred Therapy: Developed by Carl Rogers, this is one of the most popular kinds of humanistic therapy. These sessions usually encourage you to speak freely with the unconditional positive regard of your therapist. This means no judgement, just understanding.
2. Gestalt Therapy: Gestalt therapy is a more active style of therapy where you engage in several kinds of exercises that can help you recognise your thoughts and feelings better.
3. Existential Therapy: If you’re grappling with big questions about life’s meaning, purpose, or even your mortality, existential therapy might just be for you. Through this therapy, you get help in finding meaning in the challenges you face and gaining a sense of responsibility.
Humanistic Therapy Techniques
Here are some of the techniques that humanistic therapy makes use of:
1. Active Listening: You become the active agent in your therapy sessions with the undivided attention of your therapist. The therapist is deeply listening to what you’re saying and reflecting on it.
2. Unconditional Positive Regard: No matter what you’re going through or what you share, the therapist’s job is to provide acceptance and empathy.
3. Reflection: Your therapist might reflect your thoughts and feelings back to you, helping you gain clarity over your emotions. Sometimes, hearing your words mirrored back can offer surprising insights.
4. Congruence: This means that your therapist is completely genuine and authentic in terms of your interaction with them.
The Benefits of Humanistic Therapy
- A Deeper Connection with Yourself: Humanistic therapy helps you understand your thoughts and emotions more clearly. You might leave therapy with a better sense of who you are and what you want from your life.
- Gaining Confidence: By focusing on self-acceptance and personal growth, humanistic therapy can help you develop a more positive, compassionate view of yourself.
- Better Relationships: As you become more attuned to your own needs and feelings, you may also notice improvements in your personal relationships with people around you.
- A Greater Sense of Meaning: Humanistic therapy can help you in identifying the purpose of your life by making you feel more grounded and focused.