Therapy Approach

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapy is a person-centred approach that views individuals as inherently capable of growth, meaning, and self-direction when given the right conditions. Drawing on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, humanistic therapy understands psychological distress as often arising when basic needs for safety, belonging, esteem, or meaning are unmet, preventing movement toward self-actualisation—the realisation of one’s full potential. Rather than focusing on pathology, the emphasis is on strengths, values, and the innate drive toward growth. Gestalt therapy, a key humanistic model, complements this by focusing on present-moment awareness, personal responsibility, and the integration of thoughts, emotions, and bodily experience. Through exploring what is happening in the here and now, clients become more aware of unfinished business, internal conflicts, and habitual patterns, allowing for greater authenticity and choice. Together, Maslow’s and Gestalt perspectives frame therapy as a process of increasing awareness, self-acceptance, and alignment with one’s true self, rather than fixing or correcting perceived flaws.