No. Humanistic values are a central part of multiple forms of therapy. Some humanistic therapists practice person-centered therapy, some rely on gestalt therapy practices, some employ narrative therapy, some offer existential therapy—and a number may use elements of all of these modalities. No matter a professional’s chosen approach, successful humanistic therapy depends on establishing the following conditions:
1. Unconditional positive regard. The therapist remains empathetic and non-judgmental as they hear and accept the client’s statements; they convey understanding, trust, and confidence so that they can encourage clients to feel valued in discovering and making more positive choices.
2. Empathetic understanding. The therapist fully understands and accepts an individual’s thoughts and feelings in a way that enables the individual to reshape their sense of their experiences.
3. Congruence, or genuineness. The therapist brings no air of superiority or authority to sessions, but presents an accessible face that clients see is honest and transparent.
When humanistic therapy succeeds, people experience themselves as well understood by their therapist, which should help them feel more empowered, more conscious of their strengths and skills, and better equipped to make changes in their life that will help them fulfill their goals and needs.
For more, see person-entered therapy, gestalt therapy, narrative therapy, and existential therapy.