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Should I Try 'Humanistic Therapy'?

Humanistic therapy is much like person-centered therapy. It revolves around the client and what their needs are. This therapeutic approach takes the whole picture into account and looks at what a person is experiencing emotionally.

A counselor who practices the humanistic approach is mindful of their client’s feelings at all times. However, it can be challenging for a therapist to adopt a non-judgmental stance. As a mental health professional, there’s a temptation to advise the client on what the counselor thinks is the best course of action. However, this isn’t the goal of humanistic therapy. The client learns to solve their problems in their own way, with the support of their therapist throughout the process.

Ideally, the person who is undergoing treatment doesn’t have to worry about their therapist judging them. They can walk into therapy with complete confidence that they can say anything in the session. Feeling secure early in the therapeutic relationship is crucial for a client. Too often, it can take time to develop a kind of connection with a counselor or therapist where the client is comfortable enough to speak their mind freely. Honesty and communication are the primary goals of humanistic therapy. For the client to learn to solve their problems, they need to be able to express them without worrying about what their therapist will think.

In humanistic therapy, the counselor encourages you to know you have all the tools to work through your challenges and come to solutions. It’s a matter of tapping into your intuition to figure out how to fix the problems you’re facing. Your therapist is there to support you through this process and help you discover resolutions. However, the focus is on teaching you how to decide what to do on your own. All human beings have intuition, and the humanistic therapeutic model shows you how powerful your intuition can be. When you listen to your inner voice, you will likely make a decision based on what you feel and what makes logical sense. Your therapist highlights how much your intuitive sense can help you in your life.

Your virtues are also emphasized in humanistic therapy. Your therapist should believe in you and your ability to transform your life into what you want it to be. Changing your life begins with you seeing yourself as a fundamentally honorable person. If you’re having trouble with that concept, a humanistic therapist is an excellent person to help you realize what your positive qualities are and celebrate them. Once you’re able to see what’s great about you, solving your problems can become a little easier. You can use your skills (which your therapist reinforces) to brainstorm ideas and meet the challenges you confront in life. That’s the beauty of humanistic therapy for each person who chooses it; there is someone in your life cheering you on no matter what happens.

Part of the humanistic approach is learning to meet your own needs. Instead of blaming other people for what went wrong, you can accept what happened and take responsibility for your part in it. Doing this is freeing, and you may start to feel a stronger sense of independence.

Humanistic therapy can also help you grow personally. Working with a therapist who is unconditionally supportive is an excellent model for how you can learn to treat others. Consider trying this form of therapy if you want to work on being more positive about life and yourself.

Getty image by william87.

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