Person-Centered Therapy

In the early 20th century, there were two basic approaches to psychotherapy: behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Behaviorists believe that humans are conditioned to act in specific ways based on a system of rewards and punishments and that using reinforcements in particular ways changes behaviors. Psychoanalysts believe that innate internal instincts and unconscious motivations drive behavior. While these approaches provide incredible insight into human behavior, they do not consider the whole person.

Humanistic therapy emerged in the 1950s in response to the limitations of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. The foundation of humanistic therapy is the belief that everyone has free will, and a unique way of perceiving the world influences their choices and actions. Other major tenants of the humanistic approach to therapy include:

• You are the one who best understands your experiences and needs
• Humans are good at their core and are naturally driven to better themselves
• People strive to self-actualize and achieve their greatest potential
• Giving people unconditional positive regard provides the best opportunity for growth
• A person’s unique, subjective experiences should be the focus of therapy
• Therapy should focus on the person as a whole

If how you view yourself and the world around you influences your thoughts and behaviors, then a negative outlook will negatively affect your life. With humanistic approaches like person-centered therapy, your therapist will guide you in exploring ways to grow and develop the self-acceptance needed to reach your full potential.