In this course, the development, principles, conceptual models, applications and limitations of major humanistic counseling and therapy approaches are investigated for working with people in contexts of individual and group interventions. Current research and case conceptualization models from humanistic and person-centered therapy perspectives will be discussed. The lab segment of this course focuses on foundational principles, processes, and skills involved in working with clients from a humanistic, person-centered perspective. Candidates will participate in class format training that is skill-based, interactive and focused on experiential learning.

CILO-1: Describe the historical development and evolution of humanistic therapy approaches including person-centered therapy and existential psychotherapy. CILO-2: Describe humanistic therapy perspectives on the development of healthy personality and psychopathology with reference to relevant constructs including real versus ideal self, conditions of worth, incongruence, self-actualization, authenticity, existential anxiety versus neurotic anxiety, freedom, responsibility, and meaning. CILO-3: Apply constructs from humanistic therapy approaches in the conceptualization of client problems. CILO-4: Describe and critically evaluate the current status of humanistic therapist qualities hypothesized to facilitate client change including unconditional positive regard, accurate empathy genuineness and transparency. CILO-5: Describe and understand the application of humanistic therapy techniques including reflection, acceptance, empathy, focusing, genuineness, and dereflection. CILO-6: Describe recent developments in theory, research, and the practice of humanistic psychotherapies.