Humanistic Therapy

Unit 12

Starter Activity

• Write down on piece of paper 2 characteristics that you think a humanistic therapist should have

Learning Objectives• By the end of today’s session all learners

will:o Have considered the important elements of a humanistic

therapist by taking part in a role playing exerciseo Developed at least 3 evaluation points in small groups as to

what makes this approach effectiveo Developed at least 3 evaluation points in small groups as to

what makes this approach not as effective as others we have looked at

• Some learners will have:o considered the differences between Humanistic and other

approacheso Developed some possible answers to an exam question

Recap of material • Quiz….

• Using your phone (pair up with someone if need be) log on to www.m.socrative.com/student/

• Room = yvette

In pairs… 20mins• One of you is the client• The other is the therapist

• Clients will be given a scenario…. It is up to you how much extra detail you want to add and how you want to ‘share your problem’

• Therapists ~ you’re job is to provide the client with some humanistic / person centred therapy, drawing on what we have covered so faro Are there any activities / tasks you might get your client to do?

• Make some notes as you go – this would be natural in a therapy session

Humanistic therapists• What characteristics did you suggest at the

beginning of the lesson ~• Do you think you achieved these in your role

plays?

• What else could we add to this list?• What did you learn about a therapists role from

the role play?• What did you learn about a clients role from the

role plays?

Humanistic therapists…

• aim to provide a non judgemental environment in which the client does not feel under threat or

• Potentially enabling the client to:o experience and accept more of who they are as a persono reconnect with their own values and sense of self-worth.

This reconnection with their inner resources enables them to find their own way to move forward

• work to understand the client's experience from the client's point of view,

• Positively value the client as a person• Aiming to be open and genuine • Client must experience these attitudes as real within the relationship, • Therefore the nature of the relationship that the counsellor and client

create between themselves is crucial for the success of therapy

Focus is on them solving the problem

Real life therapy…• Video

• Think about:o The techniques the therapist uses o Does the therapist do any of the things discussed?o What is good about the way she handles the sessiono What things you might change if you were the therapist

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew8CAr1v48M

Video review…• What techniques does she use before the client

starts to talk about his issue?o Rapporto Feeling safe and relaxedo Non-judgemental environment

• What do you think was a good strength of the way the therapist approached the situation?

• Is there anything the therapist could have done differently?

Application • What situation do you think this therapy would be

an effective therapy?

• Some examples:o Substance abuseo Eating Disorderso Trauma/PTSDo Weight Managemento Dual Diagnosiso Pain Managemento Sexual Addictiono Gambling Addiction

Task…• In small groups, 2/3 consider and develop

some evaluation points as to why the humanistic approach is:o a good way of explaining and looking at human behaviour and

whyo Not as effective as other approaches and why

Each group develop at least 3 points

…you have 10 mins

Strengths• A way of being

o Rogers explained PCT as a life philosophyo 1)you see through conditions of worth what other people impose on you, o 2) develop an internal locus of control, o 3) have a positive self concept of yourself drawing on an actualising tendency, you

will overall have a high degree of emotional security

• Relevant to society o stresses that every individual has the right to be respected and valuedo Respect and value for individuality is a value system embedded in health and

social care practice / code of conduct (Government policy)

• Empowerment o PCA aims to enable service users and clients to develop their own inner resources

and have the power to address their own problemso The therapist does not ‘treat’ the individual, nor do they find causes or offer cures for

people’s problems

Weaknesses• Therapy takes time

o PCT use the quality of their relationship to help people gain new insights into their lives

o Not a quick fix treatment

• Barriers to empowerment o some may live their life with an assumption that ‘experts can

out things right’o Expectation that the therapist will find a causeo People who think this way may become frustrated if they have

to work with a non-directive therapist who does not provide explanations and treatments

• Can it work on its own?

So hopefully….You have:

o considered the important elements of a humanistic therapist by taking part in a role playing exercise

o Developed at least 3 evaluation points in small groups as to what makes this approach effective

o Developed at least 3 evaluation points in small groups as to what makes this approach not as effective as others we have looked at

• Some of you may have:o Developed some thoughts as to the differences between

Humanistic and other approacheso Developed some possible answers to an exam question

• Homework ~ complete additional hand out