Module: Humanistic Psychotherapy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Humanistic Psychotherapy
Module Code	PST1001 (ITS: NS5025)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module will enable students to learn about, locate and critically appraise humanistic approaches to psychotherapy. Students will study three main humanistic therapy models, including the principles and practices of the Person Centred, Gestalt and Transactional Analysis approaches. Students will have the opportunity to practice humanistic psychotherapy skills and to view DVD material. Students will be expected to engage in independent study, attend all lectures and seminar groups and contribute to discussions within the learning group.

Learning Outcomes

1. Locate humanistic psychotherapy within the broader field of psychotherapy
2. Identify the central tenets of Person-Centred, Gestalt and Transactional Analysis theories and practice
3. Compare and contrast the principles and practices of the Person-Centred, Gestalt and Transactional Analysis approaches in individual psychotherapy
4. Critically analyse the strengths and limitations of Person-Centred, Gestalt and Transactional Analysis theories and practices
5. Engage in humanistic psychotherapy skills practice in the context of the learning group

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	12	Lectures and tutor-led large group and small group discussions
Directed learning	12	Tutor-led in-class psychotherapy skills practice; viewing/discussion/critique of psychotherapy practice DVDs; and tutor-led personal and professional awareness and development activities
Class Presentation	2	In-class group presentations
Group work	50	Small-group research, reading and discussion and preparation for group-based assignments
Independent Study	49	Student self-directed research, reading and learning, and tutor-directed reading/critical review between classes
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11292	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Aisling McMahon	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Group presentation (40%) & group essay assignment (60%)	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Humanistic Psychotherapy
An approach to psychotherapy that is focused on the client's personal autonomy and innate capacity for growth

Person Centred Theory and Practice
Carl Rogers' Person Centred Approach

Gestalt Therapy
A humanistic-experiential psychotherapy

Transactional Analysis
Eric Berne's Transactional Analysis Theory and practice

Psychotherapeutic skills and strategies
Skills and strategies for humanistic psychotherapy practice

Personal/Professional development
Developing personal awareness and professional competence

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Eric Berne: 1968, Games people play, Penguin, Harmondsworth, 0-14-002768-8
Cain, D., Keenan, K., & Rubin, S.: 2016, Humanistic psychotherapies: Handbook of research and practice, 2nd ed, APA, Washington DC,
DiMalta, G., Cooper, M. et al.: 2024, The handbook of person-centred counselling and psychotherapy, (3rd ed.), Bloomsbury,
Mearns, D & Thorne, B.: 2013, Person-Centred counselling in action. (4th ed.)., Sage, London,
Rogers, C., R.: 1961, On becoming a person, Houghton Mifflin, New York,
Paul Wilkins: 2003, Person-centred therapy in focus, London ; SAGE, 2003., 9780761964872
Ian Stewart, Vann Joines: 2012, Ta Today: A New Introduction to Transactional Analysis, 2nd ed., Lifespace Pub., 341, 9781870244008
Tolan: 2018, Skills in person-centred counselling and psychotherapy, 4th ed., Sage, London,
Erskine, R.: 2016, Transactional analysis in contemporary psychotherapy, Karnac, London,
Houston, G.: 2003, Brief Gestalt therapy, Sage, London,
O'Leary, E.: 2013, Gestalt therapy around the world, Wiley-Blackwell,
Hanley, T., & Winter, L.: 2023, The Sage handbook of counselling and psychotherapy, (5th ed.), Sage,
McLeod, J.: 2019, An introduction to counselling and psychotherapy: Theory, research and practice, 6th ed., McGraw-Hill, London,
Reeves, A.: 2018, An introduction to counselling and psychotherapy, 2nd ed., Sage, London,
Clarkson, P.: 2013, Gestalt counselling in action, 4th ed., Sage, London,
Tribe, R. & Morrissey, J. (Eds.): 2020, The handbook of professional, ethical and research practice for psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and psychiatrists, 3rd ed., Brunner-Routledge Hove,
Joyce, P., & Sills, C.: 2018, Skills in Gestalt counselling and psychotherapy, (4th ed.), Sage,
Perls, F., Hefferline, R., & Goodman, P.: 1951, Gestalt therapy: Excitement and growth in the human personality, Gestalt Journal Press,
Timulak, L.: 2015, Transforming emotional pain in psychotherapy: An emotion-focused approach, Routledge, London,
Greenberg, L.: 2011, Emotion focused therapy, American Psychological Association, Washington DC,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Recommended journal, Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapies,
418639: 1, Further recommended reading, Additional reading will be provided during the module,

Module Co-ordinator and lecturer: Dr. Aisling McMahon