Humanistic Treatments

Question 1

List the assumptions of humanistic therapy

Answer 1

• view of the person
• freedom to choose
• focus on subjective reality
• therapist qualities
• emotions
• freedom-choice-responsibility
• meaning

Question 2

Humanistic therapy is most effective when…

Answer 2

• work in a collaborative manner
• view the process as self change
• asses their client’s perspective
• tailor therapy to client’s goals and solutions

Question 3

List three approaches to humanistic therapy

Answer 3

• client centred
• existential
• gestalt

Question 4

List three core therapist qualities of the person centred approach

Answer 4

• congruence
• unconditional positive regard
• empathy

Question 5

Congruence

Answer 5

Clinician’s ability to be genuine and authentic, well integrated, aware of self and how they are perceived

Question 6

Unconditional positive regard

Answer 6

Caring about, respecting, liking and accepting people for who they are without placing requirements on them to act feel or think in certain ways

Question 7

Empathy

Answer 7

Understanding the subjective experience of the client

Question 8

What is the focus of existential therapy?

Answer 8

• focuses on the universal challenges of existence

- when individuals avoid dealing with these issues, psych dysfunction occurs

Question 9

What is the purpose of existential therapy?

Answer 9

To deal with the universal challenges:

• death
• isolation
• meaninglessness
• freedom

Question 10

What are the goals of existential therapy?

Answer 10

• take stock of values and beliefs
• becoming truthful with oneself
• widen perspectives
• find clarity on life purpose

Question 11

Describe the existential therapist’s manner

Answer 11

• uses relationship with client to promote change
• more likely to interpret and challenge clients
• use listening skills and participate actively

Question 12

Describe the client centred approach

Answer 12

Suggests that individuals have potential for self actualisation, if the therapist provides the right environment.

Question 13

What are the overall contributions of humanistic therapy?

Answer 13

• emphasises individual choice and responsibility
• offers a flexible framework
• therapeutic relationship variables have evidence
• it continues to influence contemporary therapeutic approaches

Question 14

What are the overall criticisms of humanistic therapy?

Answer 14

• too subjective
• observations are unverifiable
• not a true science

Question 15

What are the key points about Gestalt therapy?

Answer 15

• awareness of present behavioural and emotional experience
• more authentic interactions
• emotional rather than intellectual

Question 16

What are three Gestalt techniques?

Answer 16

• the chair
• use of language
• exaggeration

Question 17

Describe the Gestalt therapist

Answer 17

• authentic and non judgemental
• dialogic relationship
• willingness and capacity to be present
• genuine interest in understanding client’s subjective experience

Question 18

Process

Answer 18

What is actually happening in the therapy session between the therapist and the client

Question 19

Content

Answer 19

What is being talked about, what is the client saying

Question 20

What is meant by exaggeration in Gestalt therapy

Answer 20

Therapist asks the client to exaggerate something e.g. body language in order to bring to light the links between behaviour and the way we feel

Question 21

What is meant by dialogic relationship in Gestalt therapy

Answer 21

Embracing the ‘back and forth’; balance between who is talking; therapist and client on same level playing field

Question 22

What are conditions of worth

Answer 22

Judgemental and critical messages that you are only loveable and worthwhile if you think, feel and act in ways that meet the needs of others

Question 23

What are the three important traits of a fully functioning person

Answer 23

• openness to experience
• living with meaning and purpose
• trust in self and others