The humanistic approach to counselling
Humanistic psychology was first named when Abraham Maslow started
his 1961 ‘Journal of humanistic psychology’. It put less focus on past traumas
or learned behaviours, and instead looked at the individual as a whole and
took into consideration their free will.
Within the humanistic thinking there is great diversity. Many pioneers
have contributed different perspectives over the years, so there is no single
unified theory which describes the humanistic approach. However, there are
some consistent themes that run through all these different perspectives.
The philosophy of humanism is that at the heart of each person there is
a basic natural goodness, and a natural drive to reach one’s full potential, a
concept known as self-actualization. However, as John Rowan (2016)
describes, this doesn't mean that people are not sometimes destructive or
mean. Instead it mean that a person’s goodness, due to events in one's life,
can be obscured. Rowan (2016) goes on to makes the analogy of a person’s
‘nastiness’ as a kind of mask, put on for reasons that once seemed good, but
have now become stuck or rigid. One might label this as a neurosis or neurotic
behaviour.
If a client is willing to work with a counsellor, and is presented with an
atmosphere of trust, understanding and acceptance, they will discover that
this destructiveness is a false part of themselves and they may learn to get past
it. The most helpful and useful thing that can be achieved through this therapy
is the awareness an acquisition of the true self, and a mobilization towards
living authentically and self-actualization.
Humanistic models of the self are commonly represented with a diagram
of concentric rings, in which the outer most ring is labelled ‘the positive false
image’, the middle ring ‘then negative self-image’ and the innermost ring ‘the
true self’. Rowan (2016) posits that because we are to some degree aware that
behind our positive image, lies a negative one, we can sometimes resist
introspection and therapy. “the discoveries we might make once we start
questioning our false front might be too terrible to bear” (Rowan, J. 2016)
Humanistic theory has its roots in many pre-existing psychological and
therapeutic models. However, it also adopted some axioms from philosophy,
primarily from the existentialists and phenomenologists.
Existentialism considers that life and existence have no intrinsic meaning
or purpose. Thus, the only meaning or purpose individuals can have in their
lives is that which they ascribe themselves. Because there are no universal
truths or rules, we are essentially ‘free’ in a complete sense to choose our path
in life and what is meaningful. “I must find truth that is true for me the idea for
which I can live or die” Kierkegaard (1938).
This freedom however comes with responsibility. The responsibility that
people have to give meaning and make sense of their own existence is
inescapable, as Casemore puts it “we are condemned to be free “Roger
Casemore (2011)
Roger Casemore (2011) points out that we can only know three things;
we are born, we exist, and we will die, and that unconsciously we are aware of
this. Through recognition that there is no ultimate justification for our life
choices, an awareness of our total freedom to make of life what we will can
elicit a sense of fear and anxiety of the unknown and not knowing.
In Existential therapy the counsellor’s role is to work alongside their
client as they explore their values, assumptions and ideals. This is often
referred to as facilitating an encounter with themselves (the client). For the
therapist this means having an open mind and willingness to let go of their
own personal ideals and judgments in order to understand the client’s values
and the meaning the client has ascribed to aspects of their existence; social,
physical, psychological and spiritual. This helps the client refine their world
view and to live a more authentic and chosen life.
Because of this it is important that the therapist be very self-aware so
as better to avoid any prejudices or biases they will inevitably have.
Like all humanistic approaches the relationship is fundamental to
successful progress.
Jordan Peterson (2016) describes phenomenology as the study of
experience as it is lived by the individual. He highlights how it runs in contrast
to materialism, and instead puts consciousness at the centre of being, rather
than treating it as a secondary phenomenon.
Where phenomenology relates to humanistic counselling and
psychology is with the axiom that the way in which an individual perceives
their world is essential to their reality. This is why a central part of humanistic
thinking is the importance of the individual’s unique world view.
Humanistic approaches emphasise the importance of being your true
self in order to lead the most fulfilling life. They endeavour to make the client
more self-aware, to gain a greater, healthier sense of self in order to help them
achieve their potential.
Abraham Maslow was a theorist who helped develop humanistic
psychology. Most humanistic theories maintain that there is a natural human
tendency to realise their potential. Maslow called this ‘self-actualization ‘.
What self-actualization means is unique to the individual, but what is not
unique is the drive everyone has to achieve it and the human needs required
for it.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (which orders human needs according to
their importance for survival and growth) postulates that more pressing needs
need first be met before any higher ones could reasonably be pursued.
“-the appearance of one need usually rests on the prior satisfaction of
another pre-potent need”. Maslow (1943)
Physiological needs; these are the biological requirements for human
life. These include water and food, shelter, clothing and warm. They also
include sexual needs.
Safety needs; Maslow suggested that people want to experience order
and control over their lives, a sense of predictability and stability. emotional
and financial security might come from employment and social welfare. A
perception of physical safety, freedom from fear and social stability may come
from law and order in a society.
Love and belonging; these are the needs for affectionate relationships, a
place in a group and the experience of receiving and giving love. Maslow
(1943) suggested that the prevention of these needs is the most commonly
found core in cases of maladjustment and psychopathology.
Self-esteem; People in society have a need for a stable, firmly based,
high evaluation of themselves. Maslow (1943) Describe two forms of selfesteem. First involves the desire for strength, for achievement and adequacy.
a confidence in the face of the world and for independence and freedom.
Maslow (1943). The second, desire for reputation and prestige defined as
respect or esteem from others. Maslow (1943).
Self-actualization; These are known as growth needs. Maslow explains
that a new restlessness will develop unless an individual is working towards
self-fulfilment. This will be unique to the individual and ongoing.
Maslow thought that although we all have the capacity for selfactualization, most of us never truly achieve it, or only do so to a limited
degree.
Maslow was interested in a positive account of human behaviour; in
potential and how we fulfil it. Through biographical analysis, Maslow (1970)
studied 18 ‘self-actualised’ individuals (historical and public figures as well as
contemporaries) in order to discern “The most important and useful whole
characteristics for self-actualising people” Maslow (1970).
These characteristics Included things like being reality centred (a more
efficient perception of reality and a more comfortable relation with it), having
Self-acceptance (they can accept their own human nature with all its
shortcomings without real concern), having autonomy (relatively independent
of the physical and social world, satisfied with personal growth) and being
problem centred (strongly focused on problems outside themselves, on tasks
non personal and unselfish. Not ego centred).
However, one criticism on his theory of characteristics is the unscientific
approach of his biographical analysis, which is really based on the opinions of
the researcher. As opinions are always bias the validity of the findings is hugely
reduced.
“Maslow’s operational definition of self-actualization must not be taken
as scientific fact”. McLeod, S.A (2020).
The hierarchy of needs is useful in counselling as it can be used to
determine where a client is with regards to his needs and thus gain insight into
their world and problems. When to client’s basic needs aren't being met, they
will struggle with ordinary problems and social issues, which can lead to a
distorted perception of themselves and the world.
Carl Rogers was a clinician (1902-1987) and over his career he developed
new theories of distress and anxiety in people as well as a form of therapy
which he called Person-Centred therapy.
Rogers saw the self as being comprised of two parts, which ideally would
be in harmony. The Organism itself (this is our true, honest self which we
experience as being unmoulded by external expectations.) and the Selfconcept (this part of us is developed through ‘conditions of worth’, love and
approval given depending on what is accepted and valued by others).
Conditions of worth are a natural part of life, but sometimes an
individual’s self-concept is in conflict with the Organism self, which can cause
emotional difficulties. When these two elements are in conflict Rogers called
this ‘incongruence’. Essentially, it's as if the individual has sacrificed too much
of their true ‘Organism itself’ in order to conform with what they feel is
demanded of them through conditions of worth.
Rogers also believed that people have a natural drive for self-growth
healing and adjustment, and so long as the environment doesn't hinder them,
they will naturally move towards becoming their true self. He called this the
‘actualising tendency’.
“-a person centred approach aims to free up the individual for personal
growth and development by removing obstacles that have gotten in their way”.
Tim Bond (2000)
The way phenomenology manifests as being at the root of Rogers
approach, is with the assumption that the client is the expert of their inner
world. Two questions from Roger Casemore (2011) plainly highlight the
phenomenological roots in Rogers approach; can I notice all the phenomena
that my client brings to the counselling room and treat these is all as being of
equal value? Can I develop a shared understanding with my client of how they
experience the phenomenology of their world? Roger Casemore (2011)
Rogers believed that with a trusting relationship and given the right
‘core conditions’, a client struggling with emotional distress, who is
experiencing incongruence, will be able to move forward and become more
autonomous, more congruent.
Rogers (1957) describes the ‘necessary and sufficient conditions’ for
therapeutic personal change;
Empathy; That the therapist experiences an empathetic understanding
of the client’s internal frame of reference and endeavours to communicate this
experience to the client. “When the therapist can grasp the moment to
moment experience which occurs in the inner world of the client as the client
sees it and feels it, without losing the separateness of his own identity in the
empathetic process, then change is likely to occur” Rogers (1967)
Congruence; Rogers (1967) discusses the importance of trustworthiness
in a helping relationship. He defines this as being ‘dependably real’, where his
responses match the feelings and attitudes he's experiencing. This way he can
‘be what he truly is’, being perceived by the client as genuineness, which is
essential for a trusting relationship.
Unconditional positive regard; If the client is met with an environment
which positively embraces their inner feelings, their true/Organism self, then it
will facilitate self-change and autonomy. As Rogers (1967) describes it means
allowing the client to be whatever they are feeling inside. Being warm and
respectful to the client totally rather than conditionally. “I want my clients to
feel ‘cared about’ rather than ‘cared for’”. Roger Casemore (2011)
Along with basic counselling skills such as active listening and reflecting,
these are the main skills involved in creating a trusting relationship.
This approach is described as being ‘nondirective’, meaning the therapist
will not give their own judgement or personal opinion and will not offer advice.
As much as possible the therapist will try and suppress their own bias in order
to facilitate the clients natural actualising tendency and autonomy. However,
this is something that Roger Casemore (2011) points out as being technically
impossible, because every choice we make in response to the client, may often
be experienced by the client as directive.
A common criticism of person-centred therapy is that it lacks structure
and may take too long. Dr Todd Grande (2018) Considers a scenario in which
the therapist may see a possible solution but in order to avoid being directive
they won't offer it, potentially needlessly prolonging the process. He goes on
to say that although as a stand-alone modality it may not be useful, it is still
critical that it is integrated into other modalities.
In conclusion, the humanistic approach in counselling is a collaborative
method of forming a trusting relationship in which a client may feel free to
honestly explore their world without judgment, encouraging self-healing. I
have explored the works of Maslow, the Existentialist approach and Carl
Rogers to demonstrate the evolution and different perspectives of this
approach.
References
Bond, T. (2000) Standards and Ethics for Counselling in action, 2nd edition. sage publications
London. (P.41
Casemore, R. (2011) Person centred counselling in a nutshell, 2nd edition. Sage publications
London. (P.7, P.12, P.52, P.62)
Dru, A (1939) Introduction to that Journals of Soren Kierkegaard. (Oxford University Press)
Grande, Todd (2018) What are the Limitations and Criticisms of Person-Centred Therapy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgOz77YpeFc
Accessed on 28th April
Jordan Peterson on Phenomenology and Heidegger. (2016)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jYR5wbElWQ
Accessed on 10th April 2020
Maslow, A (1943) Theory of human Motivation ( P.3 P.5 P.10 P.11)
http://www.naturalthinker.net/trl/texts/Maslow%2CA/Maslow%2C_A_H__A_Theory_Of_Human_Motivation.pdf
Accessed on 15th April 2020
Maslow, A (1970) Motivation and Personality ( P.153)
http://s-f-walker.org.uk/pubsebooks/pdfs/Motivation_and_Personality-Maslow.pdf
Accessed on 21st April 2020
McLeod, S. A. (2020). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Simply Psychology.
https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Accessed on 21st April
Rogers, C. (1957) The Necessary and Sufficient Conditions of Therapeutic Personality
Change
https://app.shoreline.edu/dchris/psych236/Documents/Rogers.pdf
Accessed on 25th April
Rogers, C. (1967) On Becoming a Person. Constable, London. (P.51, P.52, P.62, P.63)
Rowan, J. (2016), A guide to humanistic counselling then psychotherapy (3rd ed.) Routledge:
London. (P.2, 3, 58, 59)