Humanistic Growth Process
175 words each
Post 1
Carl Rogers’ concept of Stages of Therapeutic Change fascinates me because it demonstrates how people can develop when given the proper support. Rogers believed that everyone has an innate desire to achieve self-actualization but fear past experiences or a mismatch between our perception of ourselves and reality can hold us back (Feist, Feist, & Roberts, 2021). According to Rogers therapy allows people to safely explore their feelings while gradually becoming more authentic. The process begins with resistance or denial in which clients may avoid unpleasant emotions. They become more aware of their feelings over time and can express them without judgment. Later on they begin to accept responsibility for their decisions experiment with new behaviors and gain confidence in themselves. Clients often achieve greater self-acceptance and personal growth in the final stages allowing them to relate to others more authentically. Someone with low self-esteem for example may find it difficult to discuss painful experiences at first. They can gradually explore these emotions recognize their strengths and make choices that reflect who they truly are using Rogers’ approach which emphasizes empathy and unconditional positive regard.
Feist, J., Feist, G. J., & Roberts, T. (2021). Theories of Personality (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill
Post 2
Hi all of you wonderful people,
Thanks for two great weeks of discussion so far! As we delve into this week three discussion, I wanted to provide another opportunity to dig deeper. I’m on a break between strategy meetings and one of our sidebar conversations was enlightening so I wanted to share it with you all. We were reframing challenges as opportunities and one of the foundational concepts was about how significant we feel, not how successful we are , both professionally and personally. Given that we are studying Humanistic Psychologists this week, I thought that idea was ripe for this conversation!
Fellow learners, feel free to riff on the difference between significant and successful. Do you all think there is a difference?
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Humanistic Growth Process
Carl Rogers and Growth
Carl Rogers emphasized that every person has an innate tendency toward growth and self-actualization. However, fear, past experiences, and incongruence between self-perception and reality can delay progress. His theory of therapeutic change outlines a step-by-step process where individuals move from denial to authenticity. Rogers argued that therapy provides a safe space where people can openly explore feelings and slowly align with their true selves through empathy and unconditional positive regard.
Stages of Therapeutic Change
Rogers described distinct stages, starting with resistance and denial. At first, clients avoid painful emotions and resist responsibility. Over time, they become more aware of their feelings and begin to express them without fear of judgment. Gradually, they take ownership of their decisions, try out healthier behaviors, and gain confidence. This progression allows them to build stronger self-esteem, which eventually leads to personal growth and improved relationships with others.
Significance vs. Success
The classroom discussion of significance versus success links directly to humanistic psychology. Success often reflects external achievements such as career goals or financial rewards. Significance, however, reflects inner fulfillment and feeling valued in relationships and communities. Humanistic psychologists suggest that true growth is not about external validation but about inner significance. Recognizing the difference allows individuals to prioritize authenticity and connection over superficial markers of achievement.
Application to Daily Life
Humanistic growth is not confined to therapy sessions. It applies to everyday experiences and challenges. For example, someone with low self-esteem may struggle to confront painful truths. With supportive relationships, they can explore these emotions, accept themselves, and pursue meaningful choices. This shift moves them from striving for external success to cultivating inner significance. Ultimately, it fosters resilience, authenticity, and healthier human connections.
