Humanistic Psychology

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The focus of this paper is the person-centered approach, which is the understanding of personality and human relationships in psychotherapy and counseling in the areas of client-centered therapy, education of student-centered learning, organizations, and other group settings. Even though psychoanalysis and behaviorism have made major contributions to psychology, it has influenced the understanding and practices of the humanistic movement, specifically with the therapies for the different mental disorders. Psychoanalysis understands the unconscious behavior, behaviorism focuses on the conditioning process that produces behavior. Humanistic psychology focuses on the person's potential to act as a whole person in a nurturing environment by choice with receiving a positive way of life.

The Humanistic Movement and Person Centered Approach to Psychology

The humanistic psychology approach allows the conditions to apply to the client situation for positive developments and goals however, not intended for the therapist. It is important that the therapist conduct sessions in a way where they are showing themselves in the session without pretense. This allows a growth-promoting climate with the psychoanalysis of the client’s behavior. An important reason for a successful person-centered therapy allows clients the freedom to develop and control their own lives, rather than being tied to their past (Goodwin, 2008). This method also denotes and consists of psychotherapy and humanistic therapy where the concentration is on the present and not the past, and the humanistic analyst tends to underlines awareness instead of being unaware. Both theories share a common method while patients and clients converse their feelings vocally and th...

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...approach as it relates not only to people but also to group therapy, it will span diverse populations including the areas of family counseling, couple relationships, education, politics, government, and business administration (Sollod, 1978).

Works Cited

Krasner, L. (1978). The future and the past in the behaviorism–humanism dialogue. American

Psychologist, 33(9), 799-804. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.33.9.799.

Kirschenbaum, H., & Jourdan, A. (2005). The Current Status of Carl Rogers and the Person-

Centered Approach Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 42(1), 37-51.

doi:10.1037/0033-3204.42.1.37.

Rogers, C. (1980). A way of being. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company (pp.5- 160).

Sollod, R. (1978). Carl Rogers and the origins of client-centered therapy. Professional

Psychology, 9(1), 93-104. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.9.1.93

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