There is a large amount of research in the professional literature that supports the effectiveness of humanistic group therapy. Unfortunately, the utility of humanistic group therapy with clinical populations is not widely recognized by the psychological community. This chapter describes what the research shows about the effectiveness of humanistic group therapy. We hope to demonstrate concretely the specific ways this research details how humanistic group therapy helps clients make positive behavioral and attitudinal changes. BASIC CONCEPTS OF HUMANISTIC GROUP THERAPYThe primary therapy theories that are reviewed in this chapter as humanistic theories of group therapy include person-centered (or clientcentered; CCT) group therapy, Gestalt group therapy, and existential group therapy. These theories are included under the humanistic rubric because they share common assumptions about human nature and the therapeutic processes that are central to effective psychotherapy. All of these theories emphasize that people have free will and the ability to make choices that are growth producing. These theories also stress the importance of selfawareness in therapy because it is assumed that people who are self-aware can make better choices. Person-centered, Gestalt, and existential therapies all emphasize the idea that people are capable of acting in responsible and caring ways in interpersonal relationships. All of these theories state that human beings have an innate drive toward growth that enables them to 339
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