What does humanistic therapy primarily focus on?

Humanistic therapy primarily focuses on personal growth and self-actualization, emphasizing the individual's potential and inherent desire for self-improvement. This therapeutic approach is grounded in the belief that people are inherently good and that each person has the capacity and freedom to make choices that lead to their personal fulfillment.

In humanistic therapy, the therapist provides a supportive environment that fosters open communication and self-exploration, encouraging clients to gain insight into their feelings, experiences, and goals. Rather than focusing strictly on symptoms or external behaviors, as seen in other therapeutic models, humanistic therapy aims to nurture the individual's self-concept and promote a deeper understanding of oneself, ultimately guiding the client towards achieving their fullest potential.

The other options represent approaches that do not align with the core principles of humanistic therapy. For example, behavior modification techniques focus on changing specific behaviors rather than exploring the self; diagnostic criteria and treatment plans emphasize a more clinical and prescriptive approach; and medication management centers on symptom relief, often sidelining personal growth and emotional understanding. Thus, humanistic therapy's unique orientation towards personal development and the individual's subjective experience sets it apart from these other methods.