What is Humanistic Therapy? (The Pros & Cons)
Even if you are facing the same problems as someone else, you may not be experiencing them in the same way.
Luckily, humanistic therapy considers you as your own person - with your own unique set of strengths, needs, and challenges.
Here at KMA Therapy, we know you want to thrive in your life and relationships. We’re passionate about teaching you everything you need to know about the therapy process – including what types of therapy may benefit you.
After reading this article, you’ll know what humanistic therapy is, what happens during the therapy process, and how to know if it’s the right fit for you.
What is Humanistic Therapy?
Humanistic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on a person as an individual. Rather than assuming that everyone who experiences similar situations will experience problems in the same way, humanistic therapy takes personal differences into account.
It focuses on helping people to free themselves from negative ideas or beliefs they hold about themselves. Instead, it helps people accept what’s happened in their lives so far, and grow toward a healthier future.
What Happens During Humanistic Therapy?
Humanistic therapy is a broad term that covers multiple types of therapy.
Although the central focus will always be on your unique strengths and challenges, your therapist may use different types of therapeutic techniques.
Humanistic therapies include:
- Existential Therapy
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Person-Centered Psychotherapy
What Does Humanistic Therapy Help With?
Humanistic therapies can help with a wide range of issues, including a general feeling of wanting more out of life and wanting to meet your full potential.
Humanistic therapy helps with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic Disorders
- Relationship Challenges
- Improving Family Dynamics
Pros: Is it the right fit for you?
Humanistic therapy is a great way to build positive skills, get to understand yourself better, and make peace with difficult past experiences.
Humanistic therapy can be a great choice if:
- You are looking to build positive skills and are open to exploring your past experiences
- You value an empathetic, supportive approach from your therapist
- You want the freedom to explore multiple topics during therapy
Cons: Is there a better option for you?
Humanistic therapy allows a lot of room for exploration and self-discovery - but lacks the kind of structure you might be seeking to quickly tackle a specific issue.
Humanistic therapy might not be the right choice if:
- You want an established structure in therapy
- You want your therapist to take a strong lead and direct you during sessions
- You’re looking for a specific diagnosis or you’re experiencing symptoms of a personality disorder
Alternatives to Interpersonal Therapy
After learning more about the pros and cons of Humanistic Therapy, you may be interested in alternative options.
Some alternatives to Humanistic Therapy include:
These therapy options provide a more structured therapy experience.
Next Steps For Starting Therapy
After reading this article, you now understand Humanistic Therapy, its pros and cons, and some alternative therapy options to explore.
Here at KMA, we’re passionate about ensuring your therapy plan is customized to suit your life and relationships. We’ve been successfully matching clients with their ideal therapists for over 14 years.
Your therapy journey will begin with an introductory appointment. We’ll match you with your ideal therapist and determine what therapy techniques will be valuable and effective.
Book an appointment today, or contact us directly if you have any questions.
You can also explore our Therapies page to learn about other options.
If you’re not yet ready to book an appointment, read these resources for more information:
