Humanistic Therapies

Rather than focus on past events or interactions with others, humanistic therapies deal with individual growth, responsibilities and self-development in the ‘here and now’. They help people to identify their personal strengths, creativity and choice.

Existential therapy

Existential therapy uses a philosophical approach to help individuals to identify the meanin

Rather than focus on past events or interactions with others, humanistic therapies deal with individual growth, responsibilities and self-development in the ‘here and now’. They help people to identify their personal strengths, creativity and choice.

Existential therapy

Existential therapy uses a philosophical approach to help individuals to identify the meaning of various personal issues by relating them to the issues experienced by all mankind.

Gestalt therapy

Gestalt therapy looks at the whole person in terms of how they think, feel and act in any current situation. As people become more aware of these factors and how they function together, they are better able to deal with immediate issues and develop their potential.

Human givens psychotherapy

This is a relatively new form of therapy that is based on the premise that all humans have basic needs (or ‘givens’). These are divided into physical needs such as food and sleep and also emotional needs such as the need to feel connected with a group.  When these needs are not met, it affects a person’s mental well-being.

The therapists’ role is to determine which needs are not being met, why and also what the person can do to change this. The sessions are mainly discussion based and the therapist will tailor solutions for each individual. It is believed to be a helpful treatment for a range of mental health issues including anger management and anxiety.

Person-centred therapy (AKA ‘client-centred’ counselling)

As the name suggests, this form of therapy is centred on the individual person or client. The therapist tries to gain an understanding of how their client perceives themself. The theory behind this therapy is that all humans have an innate capacity for self-improvement and when this becomes blocked it can affect our sense of self-worth. Treatment involves the exploration of these blockages through discussion and it also helps the person to reconnect with their inner values and find ways to move forward.

Psychosynthesis

Psychosynthesis is a therapeutic approach that was derived from psychoanalysis, the main distinction being that it includes spiritual as well as psychological elements. It is based on the idea that humans all have an immense potential for personal growth and a natural capacity to harmonise all elements of the self which enables us to develop and grow.

Reality therapy

This approach is also centred on the ‘here and now’. It assumes that someone who is experiencing mental distress is not suffering from mental illness but rather that their basic universal psychological needs are not being met. These include the need for fun, love and survival.

The theory is that it is a person’s own thoughts and actions that can restrict these needs. By changing what they do they can change how they feel and therefore take greater control of their world.

Solution-focused brief therapy

This approach is sometimes known simply as solution or brief therapy. The therapist helps the individual determine what they specifically want to achieve and guides them in uncovering their personal strengths and resources. Together they can develop a plan to reach the desired goal or goals.

Transactional analysis

Transactional analysis (TA) is a very widely used form of therapy and is often integrated with other therapies. It is centred on the idea that each person has three ego states; parent, adult and child. These states are analysed to determine how individuals communicate and where ineffective behaviours occur. The therapist can then work with the person to find better paths to an improved outcome.

Transpersonal psychology

Transpersonal means ‘beyond the personal’ and the approach assumes that healing and growth are best achieved through recognition and understanding of our higher self. That is the self that transcends individual age, culture, appearance and so on. The therapist explores this higher consciousness along with their client to determine where the blockages have occurred and how they can be resolved.

g of various personal issues by relating them to the issues experienced by all mankind.

Gestalt therapy

Gestalt therapy looks at the whole person in terms of how they think, feel and act in any current situation. As people become more aware of these factors and how they function together, they are better able to deal with immediate issues and develop their potential.

Human givens psychotherapy

This is a relatively new form of therapy that is based on the premise that all humans have basic needs (or ‘givens’). These are divided into physical needs such as food and sleep and also emotional needs such as the need to feel connected with a group.  When these needs are not met, it affects a person’s mental well-being.

The therapists’ role is to determine which needs are not being met, why and also what the person can do to change this. The sessions are mainly discussion based and the therapist will tailor solutions for each individual. It is believed to be a helpful treatment for a range of mental health issues including anger management and anxiety.

Person-centred therapy (AKA ‘client-centred’ counselling)

As the name suggests, this form of therapy is centred on the individual person or client. The therapist tries to gain an understanding of how their client perceives themself. The theory behind this therapy is that all humans have an innate capacity for self-improvement and when this becomes blocked it can affect our sense of self-worth. Treatment involves the exploration of these blockages through discussion and it also helps the person to reconnect with their inner values and find ways to move forward.

Psychosynthesis

Psychosynthesis is a therapeutic approach that was derived from psychoanalysis, the main distinction being that it includes spiritual as well as psychological elements. It is based on the idea that humans all have an immense potential for personal growth and a natural capacity to harmonise all elements of the self which enables us to develop and grow.

Reality therapy

This approach is also centred on the ‘here and now’. It assumes that someone who is experiencing mental distress is not suffering from mental illness but rather that their basic universal psychological needs are not being met. These include the need for fun, love and survival.

The theory is that it is a person’s own thoughts and actions that can restrict these needs. By changing what they do they can change how they feel and therefore take greater control of their world.

Solution-focused brief therapy

This approach is sometimes known simply as solution or brief therapy. The therapist helps the individual determine what they specifically want to achieve and guides them in uncovering their personal strengths and resources. Together they can develop a plan to reach the desired goal or goals.

Transactional analysis

Transactional analysis (TA) is a very widely used form of therapy and is often integrated with other therapies. It is centred on the idea that each person has three ego states; parent, adult and child. These states are analysed to determine how individuals communicate and where ineffective behaviours occur. The therapist can then work with the person to find better paths to an improved outcome.

Transpersonal psychology

Transpersonal means ‘beyond the personal’ and the approach assumes that healing and growth are best achieved through recognition and understanding of our higher self. That is the self that transcends individual age, culture, appearance and so on. The therapist explores this higher consciousness along with their client to determine where the blockages have occurred and how they can be resolved.