Humanistic Therapy
What Is Humanistic Therapy?
Humanistic therapy is also known as the humanistic approach. The approach includes several techniques: person-centred, Gestalt, and existential therapy.
At its heart, humanistic therapy is built on the belief in the inherent goodness of people. Therapists in Singapore who use humanistic therapy may focus on the following:
- Self-awareness
- Personal growth
- Helping you achieve your full potential
Your therapist may create a warm and authentic relationship with you to better understand your experiences.
During therapy, you may learn to express yourself freely and heal at your own pace.
Rather than concentrating solely on specific issues, humanistic therapy explores the entirety of your being and your relationships with the world around you.
This form of therapy positions you, the client, at the centre of the process. As it is client-centred, your therapist may empower you to reflect, understand your emotions, and take responsibility for your choices.
Humanistic therapy can address several mental health issues like feeling sad all the time, anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, and issues related to substance abuse.
In this article, we will look into how humanistic therapy works and the different types of humanistic therapies.
How Does Humanistic Therapy Work?
Humanistic therapy is a way to help people feel better about themselves and grow as individuals.
The Singaporean Therapist may help you understand and accept who you are. All TYHO Therapists are non-judgemental and will listen to your thoughts actively.
Active listening could mean repeating your thoughts in a structured way, asking questions to better understand your viewpoint, and connecting signs in your thinking patterns.
In this kind of therapy, the Therapist listens to what you say and helps you understand your feelings. They make you feel important and respected.
The unconditional support you receive during humanistic therapy helps you open up and talk more freely about your thoughts and feelings.
The Therapist asks questions that make you think deeply about your feelings. Instead of asking simple yes or no questions, they might ask you how you felt in a certain situation.
For example, instead of asking, “Did that event make you feel sad?” – your Therapist may ask an open-ended question such as, “How did that event make you feel?”
The subtle shift in open-ended questions encourages introspection and self-awareness!
Types of Humanistic Therapy
There are many types of humanistic therapy. However, in this section, we will explore the four types of therapy in detail.
The different types of humanstic therapy may have some difference in the core principles. However, the types do follow the foundational elements of humansitic therapy.
1. Client-Centred Therapy
At the heart of client-centred therapy lies the belief that clients are the best experts on their own lives.
Here, a Therapist does not act as a guiding authority but rather as a supportive companion. The professional’s role is to offer unwavering empathy, genuine concern, and a non-judgmental environment.
For example, imagine a session where a client discusses a recent setback. Instead of offering solutions, a client-centred therapist might reflect on the client’s feelings and help them recognise their own resilience and potential.
This approach empowers the client and increases their self-compassion, self-awareness and self-reliance.
2. Existential Psychotherapy
Life throws big questions at us like, “Why am I here?”, “What’s my purpose?” and “How do I find meaning?”.
Therapists who specialise in existential psychotherapy may help you address these big questions.
For example, imagine someone is struggling to process and accept ageing. An existential therapist would help them accept that life does not last forever. The therapy may take a philosophical approach to suit the client’s needs.
The online therapist may help the client find meaning and enjoy every moment. Finding joy in life could be an interesting process with the help of a professional. During sessions, the therapist may use several scientific and therapeutic tools to help with the same.
People can live more genuine and satisfying lives by facing these big life questions directly.
3. Experiential Psychotherapy
Experiential psychotherapy believes in the transformative power of ‘doing’. It is not just about discussing feelings but about actively engaging with them.
This approach can be particularly effective for those who struggle to articulate their emotions or feel too emotional.
A session might involve art therapy, where a client paints their emotions, or perhaps music therapy, where they compose or listen to songs that resonate with their feelings.
These creative outlets offer a tangible way for clients to express, understand, and process their emotions.
4. Narrative Therapy
Every individual has a story, and narrative therapy explores and reshapes that narrative.
This approach separates individuals from their problems, allowing them to rewrite their life’s story to align with their values and aspirations.
For instance, a client who sees themselves as a ‘failure’ might be encouraged to recount past successes, no matter how small.
By re-framing these stories, clients can shift their perspectives, recognising that they are not defined by their challenges but by how they overcome them.
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