Humanistic Psychology: Person-Centred Understanding of Growth, Meaning, and Wellbeing

This course offers a clear, engaging introduction to Humanistic Psychology and its lasting impact on wellbeing, relationships, and personal development. Through a practical introduction to the humanistic tradition with Professor David Grant, you will explore how meaning, agency, and growth shape human experience in everyday life and professional settings.

Explore Humanistic Psychology To Understand Growth And Meaning

• Learn the core ideas behind Psychology’s humanistic tradition in a structured, accessible way
• Understand the person-centred approach of Carl Rogers and the relevance of empathy in practice
• Explore Maslow’s ideas on motivation, self-actualisation, and peak experiences beyond the hierarchy of needs
• Apply Humanistic Psychology to counselling, education, coaching, leadership, and workplace culture

A practical introduction to the humanistic tradition with Professor David Grant, focused on meaning, autonomy, and wellbeing.

This course begins by tracing the foundations of Humanistic Psychology and the historical shift away from behaviourism and psychoanalysis toward a more person-centred understanding of people. You will learn how this approach places lived experience, subjective meaning, and personal choice at the heart of Psychology, giving you a stronger grasp of why humanistic ideas remain influential today.

As you move through the lessons, you will study Abraham Maslow’s work on motivation, self-actualisation, and peak experiences, alongside Carl Rogers’ person-centred model and the therapeutic core conditions of empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. The course also examines the self, the ideal self, incongruence, locus of evaluation, and existential ideas about freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning, helping you connect theory to real human development.

You will also see how Humanistic Psychology applies across counselling, psychotherapy, education, mentoring, coaching, and leadership. The course includes thoughtful discussion of emotion, resilience, phenomenology, critiques, cultural considerations, and contemporary relevance, so you can evaluate the strengths and limitations of the tradition with confidence.

By the end of the course, you will have a grounded understanding of Humanistic Psychology and the ability to think more clearly about growth, wellbeing, and human potential. You will leave with practical insight into how person-centred principles can support healthier relationships, more effective support, and a more authentic approach to work and life.