Humanistic Therapy

In the counseling profession, it is essential to understand different perceptions of clients and help them understand their own emotions. Every individual in this world today is unique. The perceptions of people allow the study of humanistic or emotion-focused treatments. Emotion-focused treatments such as, Carl Roger’s person-centered theory, existential psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy, and constructivist approach share common beliefs. However, they differ in specific principles. Each concept of humanistic therapy analyzes the importance of perceptions and emotions in counseling and psychotherapy.

The first humanistic approach was developed by Carl Rogers. In the 1940s and 1950s, Rogers began different stages of person-centered theory. The

Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, Irvin Yalom, James Bugental and Clemmont Vontress emphasized all aspects of existential psychotherapy. The goal of existential psychotherapy was to “Explore the universal issues that people face and ways for people to address them that are life enhancing and actualizing" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p.181). Existentialists believed if people went through life without experiencing any challenges, then life has no inherent meaning (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, 181). Without these challenges, emotional development may be delayed. There are four ultimate concerns of the human condition: inevitability of death, isolation, meaninglessness, and freedom and responsibility. These four ultimate concerns challenge the awareness, openness, and courage within self. Existentialist, Viktor Frankl, not only focused on challenges in existential psychotherapy but he also focused on fears. Through paradoxical intention, Frankl helped clients approach their fears because he felt there was meaning in the fears we propose in our lives. Although existential therapy is a based on a universal worldview. It is important to understand that existential therapy may not be suitable for all clients, especially in African and some Asian cultures. Talk therapy is frowned upon in African and Asian cultures because clients would be speaking to a stranger about family problems. These cultures may focus on

Gestalt Therapy was developed primarily by Frederick “Fritz” Perls with contributions from his wife Laura Perls. “The purpose of Gestalt therapy is to help people become aware of neglected and disowned parts and restore wholeness, integration, and balance (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 202). Unlike other humanists, Perls drifted away from person-centered and existential approaches. Perls viewed people as basically good and having the capacity to cope with their lives successfully, nonetheless recognizing that some help was essential when needed. Gestalt therapy helps people develop awareness, inner strength, and self-sufficiency (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 204). The holistic nature of Gestalt therapy emphasizes the importance of wholeness, integration, and balance in people’s lives. Awareness is also an essential element and goal of emotional health in Gestalt therapy. Preoccupation and low self-esteem may hinder a person in becoming aware. Low self-esteem presents difficulties in clients trusting themselves, therefore lacking confidence. Once there is a lack of confidence, the client may be caught up in self-image rather than self-actualization (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). The here and now is another way for clients to increase the awareness of their current state and to be conscious of the present, and only the present. Becoming centered with the present allows congruency. Along