Psychosis

A Humanistic Approach

Humanistic Approach

Section 2:
A Humanistic Approach

Abraham Maslow envisioned the humanistic approach as a “third force,” in addition to psychoanalysis and behaviorism. In this case, the humanistic approach is rebellious because it challenges the available ideologies. Maslow believed that existing psychological methods and theories were insufficient for studying the human mind and promoting humans’ ways of living, life goals, and healthy functioning.
The Overview

A Humanistic Approach Overview

Therefore, Maslow envisioned humanistic theory as a means of approaching holistic understanding. Instead of reducing a person to psychic structures or a stimulus–response framework, the humanistic approach advocates that a complete, unreduced individual should be introduced to the counseling processes and then valued as an individual.
The humanistic approach supposes that understanding an individual is a multidimensional construct, rather than a single dimensional one. Humanistic psychology is a composite of developmental psychology, cultural psychology, and cognitive psychology and cannot be measured as equivalent to any of these subfields. It is an effort to understand the individual within cultural and biological parameters. The approach focuses on individuals’ worth, human values, and dignity and stresses the capacity of humans to overcome hardship. Humans need to be treated with dignity and respect, as each of them is unique. When people are supported adequately, they can self-actualize and realize additional capabilities.

asian woman looking through the window
young brunette woman looking sad and reclining on a wall
Key Features

Key Features of the Humanistic Theory

The distinguishing features of humanistic theory are holism, personal growth, and free will. The humanistic approach’s core vision views humans as cultural without supporting cultural determinism, developmental without supporting a collective or individual life history, and cognitive without supporting intellectualism. Since its inception, humanistic psychology has developed into a broad school of thought and movement without relying on a single psychological theory to understand humans.  The primary goal of humanistic treatments is to assist patients in experiencing their existence as real. Importantly, humanistic interventions change how a person relates to the world, increasing their capacity to trust themselves and the therapist. Humanistic psychotherapy has several distinguishing features that might also appear in holistic treatments. The aspect of a therapist–patient relationship is critical in this treatment approach.
Relationships

Relationships in Therapy

A patient’s choice to proceed with treatment depends on their relationship with the psychotherapist who has adopted a client-centered perspective. Client-centered practices and therapeutic alliances anchored on genuineness, positive regard, empathy, and focus on clients as people, instead of their illnesses, are the hallmarks of successful treatment engagement. Other studies have highlighted empathy as a core element of therapeutic alliances in person-centered psychotherapy.
psychosis patient getting counsel at the psychotherapist
young beautiful woman relaxing on nature.
The Application

Application of Humanistic Theory to Psychosis

The approach’s focus is on current, day-to-day life and how the patient’s life can be improved. Additionally, the humanistic approach aims to treat the individual as a whole, not as a specific diagnosis. Therefore, for the person experiencing psychosis, the mental, physical, social, and other elements of life are also addressed handled. The humanistic approach aims to enhance people’s capacity to manage their different situations and realize the best possible versions of themselves. By centering the patient’s therapy on these ideas, it helps them to realize positive outcomes and makes the patient’s life more fulfilling. Today, advances in research have led to the identification of three specific humanistic treatment approaches to psychosis: targeting the illness’ phenomenological factors; addressing social disconnection, loneliness, and isolation; and combining different modalities of psychotherapy.
Interventions

Humanistic Interventions

young lady reflecting about past issues.