Humanistic and Experiential Therapies

Core Idea: Individuals are best understood in the context of their family or relational systems.

​

• Family Systems Therapy (Bowenian):

  • Explores multigenerational patterns, triangulation, and differentiation of self.

  • Useful for improving communication, boundaries, and resolving enmeshment.

​

• Structural Family Therapy:

  • Developed by Minuchin. Focuses on family hierarchy, roles, and boundaries.

  • Often used with child behavior issues and blended families.

​

• Strategic Therapy:

  • Problem-focused and brief. The therapist assigns tasks to interrupt dysfunctional patterns.

  • Common in family or couples work with rigid power struggles.

​

• Narrative Therapy:

  • Encourages clients to "re-author" their life stories, separating the problem from the person.

  • Emphasizes cultural and contextual storytelling, often used with marginalized communities.