Definition
A genuine, non-judgmental, and empathic model of therapy that uses open-ended responses, reflective listening and tentative interpretations to promote client self-understanding.
Description
Humanistic Therapy overlaps considerably with other existential approaches and emphasizes the growth and fulfillment of the self (self-actualization) through self-mastery, self-examination and creative expression. It holds a hopeful, constructive view of human beings and the individual’s substantial capacity to be self-determining. By and large, this therapeutic approach works with present (rather than past) occurrences and attitudes with a goal of client growth and fulfillment. Humanistic psychology acknowledges that an individual’s mind is strongly influenced by ongoing determining forces in both their unconscious and in the world around them, specifically...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Aanstoos, C., Serlin, I., & Greening, T. (2000). History of division 32 (humanistic psychology) of the American psychological association. In D. Dewsbury (Ed.), Unification through division: Histories of the divisions of the American psychological association (Vol. 5). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Bohart, A. C., & Greening, T. (2001). Comment: Humanistic psychology and positive psychology. American Psychologist, 56(1), 81–82.
Bugental, J. F. T. (1964). The third force in psychology. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 4(1), 19–25.
Clay, R. A. (2002). A renaissance for humanistic psychology. The field explores new niches while building on its past. American Psychological Association Monitor, 33(8).
Ernst, S., & Goodison, L. (1981). In our own hands, a book of self help therapy. London: The Women’s Press.
Mouladoudis, G. (2001). Dialogical and Person-Centered approach to therapy: Beyond correspondences and contrasts toward a fertile interconnection. The Person-Centered Journal, 8(1).
Schneider, K. J. (2008). Existential-integrative Psychotherapy: Guideposts to the core of practice. New York: Routledge.
Schneider, K. J., Bugental, J. F. T., Pierson, J. F. (eds.). (2001). The handbook of humanistic psychology: leading edges in theory, research, and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN 0-7619-2121-4.
Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Block, M. (2011). Humanistic Therapy. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_1403
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_1403
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77579-1
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79061-9
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science