Humanistic Counselling began formally in the late 1940s and has become an extremely effective approach to counselling. Although Behavioural therapies and Psychodynamic methods were available, a Humanistic approach offered sufferers another alternative. This type of counselling focuses on recognising human capabilities in areas such as creativity, personal growth and choice. This method is perceived more as an artistic approach rather than scientific and is, therefore, not as well known as the other 2 types.

When an individual is choosing a counsellor, it is extremely important that the client is aware of the approach the counsellor uses before arranging an appointment. This is because each method is different and depends on the person's needs as to which approach should be taken. The main objectives of Humanistic Psychology are to find out how individuals perceive themselves here and now and to recognise growth, self-direction and responsibilities. This method is optimistic and attempts to help individuals recognise their strengths by offering a non-judgemental, understanding experience.

• Person-Centred Counselling - see also Person-Centred Therapy
  This type of counselling allows the client to guide themselves through the episode rather than being led by the professional. This theory suggests that sessions should not be directive and the counsellor should be a source of understanding and encouragement rather than the problem solver. The Person-Centred approach allows clients to move at their own pace and to direct their own development. This means they are aware that the counsellor believes in their capability to manage problems, which encourages them to believe in their strengths, values and worth.
  
  An individual's self-concept is an important issue in this type of counselling; if someone has been brought up around negative experiences or interactions, it is likely that the person's self-concept will be damaged. With this method, it is not the counsellor's task to direct or diagnose the individual; their role is to listen, understand and accept in a non-judgemental manner, thus allowing the clients to help themselves. This is thought to be extremely beneficial in repairing a person's self-concept.
  
  The relationship created between the therapist and client is extremely important and the counsellor must adhere to specific healing characteristics in order for the outcome to be successful. The counsellor must empathise with the individual, offering honesty and, no matter how the client acts, the same positive, kind feelings must be portrayed at all times. The experience offered concentrates on the here and now and the I am concepts, which overlook the individual's past and reassures them they are responsible for the way they feel and their actions.

• Gestalt Therapy
  Unlike Person-Centred Counselling, this method is directive and concentrates on the client's thought process and feelings. The main objective of this approach is for the individual's to become more aware of themselves, taking into account their mind, body and spirit. The purpose of this is to improve the person's personal experiences and therefore creating a better quality of life.
  
  A gestalt professional constantly promotes the clients's awareness of themselves and uses experiments that are often invented by the counsellor and client. These experiments can be anything from creating patterns with objects and writing to role-playing. Promoting awareness is the main objective of Gestalt Therapy Counselling but other areas such as improving the ability to support ones emotional feelings are also important.

• Transactional Analysis Counselling - see also Transactional Analysis
  Transactional Analysis (TA) is a theory that involves an individual's growth and development. It is also a theory related to communication and child development explaining the connections to our past and how this influences decisions we make. The TA theory was developed by Eric Berne who was a psychiatrist and he recognised 3 key ego-states that are present in everyone: Parent, Adult and Child.
  
  A TA counsellor encourages individuals to analyse previous decisions they have made and understand the direction and patterns of their life for themselves. It also helps clients to trust their decisions and think/act as an individual improving the way they feel about themselves.
  
  Strictly speaking, TA is a Psychodynamic approach as Berne’s 3 ego-states are based roughly on Freud’s Tripartite Mind. However, it also considered a Humanistic approach because, like Person-Centred Counselling, it encourages clients to take responsibility for their own thoughts and behaviour in the here and now.