Humanistic Counseling Process, Outcomes, and Research

Humanistic approaches to counseling are particularly concerned with process, emphasizing the person of the client, the person of the counselor, and the therapeutic relationship. Process and outcomes in humanistic interventions are highly related and complementary aspects of counseling. Counseling outcomes may include client outcomes as well as research outcomes. Whereas client outcomes are focused on the specific needs of clients, research outcomes tend to focus on generalizable results. When considering process, outcomes, or research, the humanistic counselor seeks to integrate the principles of humanism into all aspects of practice. ********** Modern humanism encompasses an abundance of diverse theories and approaches (Scholl, McGowan, & Hansen, 2012). These theories and approaches, including person-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, both the American and European existentialist perspectives, and assorted creative therapies, are connected by their respect for each person as a whole, not reducible to any or all parts of him- or herself (Davidson, 2000; Hansen, 2012). Furthermore, humanistic approaches share an emphasis on our subjective experiencing of ourselves, our relationships, and our environment (Scholl et al., 2012). This article offers an examination of three complementary, interrelated, and recursive aspects of humanistic counseling--process, outcomes, and research--each of which will be examined individually and in conjunction with the others. As previously mentioned, humanism entails an antireductionistic stance and the belief that individuals are best understood when viewed as whole beings (Davidson, 2000). Several additional principles of humanism logically follow from this fundamental principle of irreducibility. These include the principles of individualism, valuing subjective experiences, and respect for the dignity of the individual. Taken collectively, these four principles inform Bohart's (2003) assertion that humanistic practices are "people responsive" or highlight "relating to human beings in growth-producing ways" (p. 146). However, it is important to recognize that at times the principle of irreducibility can come into direct conflict with the other principles, as well as the importance of being people responsive. For example, rather than a holistic goal, a client's sense of purpose may include the more specific goal of eliminating his or her subjectively experienced public speaking anxiety. In this example, the principle of irreducibility comes into direct conflict with the principles of valuing subjective experiences and respect for a client's sense of purpose. When these principles come into direct conflict, we assert that humanistic counselors have a primary responsibility to respect the client's subjectively experienced needs, sense of purpose, autonomy, and ability to self-select personally meaningful goals. In this case, being people responsive supersedes the principle of irreducibility. There is a parallel process with regard to a discussion of humanistic processes and outcomes. Whenever possible and practical, we recommend that humanistic processes and outcomes be framed with a holistic lens to encompass the whole person, alone and in relation to others. However, consistent with the previous example of the client with public speaking anxiety, the humanistic counselor's primary obligation is to honor the client's subjectively perceived needs. Rather than addressing the philosophical ideal of irreducibility, the humanistic counseling process should be people responsive and aimed at addressing the client's needs or goals (Young, 2013). Because humanistic counseling is holistic and honors the subjective experiences of the client and counselor, it also honors the personhood of the client and counselor and is deeply relational (Raskin, Rogers, & Witty, 2008). Humanistic counselors use their own development as a springboard for partnering with others in a professional relationship (20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling, 2010) to support the person/client in developing his or her unique human potential. …