Foundations of Humanistic and Person-Centered Therapy

Humanistic and person-centered therapy rests on the conviction that the client has the capacity for growth when the right relational conditions are present. This foundational course explains the philosophy, the core conditions, and the therapeutic stance that define the approach. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the philosophical roots of humanistic therapy, recognize the core conditions identified by Carl Rogers, understand the broader humanistic and existential traditions, and identify how this stance shapes session work. What you will learn: - The philosophical roots of humanistic psychology including the work of Rogers and Maslow - The core conditions: unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding, and congruence - The concept of the actualizing tendency and its therapeutic implications - The broader humanistic and existential traditions including Gestalt and existential therapy - The therapeutic stance as a sustained attitude rather than a technique set - The evidence base for humanistic and person-centered approaches - Ethical considerations including non-directiveness and respect for autonomy The course uses readings, philosophical context, transcripts of therapeutic interactions, and reflection prompts. Each module ends with applied exercises. This course is written for mental health clinicians and trainees, counselors, and helping professionals. It does not replace supervised clinical training or licensure requirements. By the end you will have a structured understanding of humanistic and person-centered therapy as both a philosophy and a clinical stance.