Counselling and Psychotherapy

Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Humanistic Approach

What are Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Counselling and psychotherapy are umbrella terms for a range of talking therapies provided by trained practitioners to help people bring about positive change and enhance well-being. In practice, both involve a professional relationship where you can discuss your issues in a safe, confidential space. The therapist listens and helps you explore your thoughts and feelings so you can better understand yourself and find your own solutions – rather than giving advice or quick fixes.

Understanding the Humanistic Approach

Humanistic therapy is one of the main approaches to counselling, alongside psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural methods. Pioneered by Carl Rogers as a “third force” in psychology, it focuses on empathy, acceptance, and clients’ capacity for self-direction. Humanistic counselling holds a hopeful view of people – believing everyone has an innate capacity for growth and self-determination when given the right support.

Unlike psychodynamic therapy, which often explores past conflicts, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which targets changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, the humanistic approach centres on your unique experience in the present. A humanistic therapist places less emphasis on diagnosis and more on understanding your feelings here and now. The quality of the therapist–client relationship is paramount – the therapist aims to be genuine, empathetic, and non-judgemental, fostering a climate of trust where you feel heard and accepted.

Key Benefits of Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic counselling offers several benefits. Therapists provide empathy and non-judgemental support, helping you feel comfortable opening up about difficult emotions. The relationship is a partnership – rather than giving instructions, the therapist works with you as an equal, which can boost self-esteem and a sense of agency. By focusing on your strengths and potential, this approach empowers you to make meaningful changes and develop coping skills for life’s challenges.

What Can You Expect as a Client?

In humanistic sessions, the atmosphere is warm and accepting. You are encouraged to talk about whatever is important to you, while the therapist listens without judgement. A core principle is that the therapist will not tell you what to do; the answers are assumed to lie within you, and their role is to support you in finding them. The therapist offers unconditional positive regard and empathy, working to understand your point of view. This client-led style means you set the pace and direction. Over time, as trust builds, you may feel safe to explore deeper emotions, always at your own comfort level. Research consistently shows that a strong therapeutic alliance is closely tied to positive outcomes – something the humanistic approach prioritises.

Issues It Can Help With

Humanistic therapy can help with:

• Anxiety and stress

• Depression and low mood

• Low self-esteem or self-worth

• Trauma, grief and loss

• Relationship difficulties

• Personal growth and self-development

It is used both for mental health difficulties and for life changes or self-discovery.

Effectiveness and Research

A growing body of research supports humanistic approaches, including client-centred therapy, for a range of concerns such as depression, trauma, psychosis and relationship problems. School-based studies have also reported reductions in distress and improvements in self-esteem following humanistic counselling for young people. Overall, outcomes are often comparable to other evidence-based approaches, with the quality of the therapeutic relationship being a major active ingredient.

Sources (titles and authors only; links removed):

• Introduction to Psychology (1st Canadian Edition) — OpenStax.

• “Humanistic Therapy: What It Is and How It Works” — Kendra Cherry.

• “Humanistic Counselling in Schools: Randomised Controlled Trial” — Pearce et al., 2017.

• “About Counselling and Psychotherapy” — British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.