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Mary has been working with a therapist because she has felt very confused and unsure about

herself for the past few years. Mary's therapist tends to be very nondirective and devotes a great deal of
the session to allowing Mary to explore her identity, wants, and dreams for the future. The therapist
rarely gives direct advice and instead is primarily interested in helping Mary clarify her own ideas and
feelings. Mary's therapist is most likely associated with the ________ perspective of psychotherapy.
A. behavioral
B. biological
C. humanistic
D. cognitive

User Nives
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Mary's therapist is employing a humanistic approach, specifically Rogers's client-centered therapy, prioritizing patient self-exploration over directive advice.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mary's therapist, who is non-directive and focuses on helping Mary explore her identity, wants, and dreams for the future without giving direct advice, is adopting the humanistic perspective of psychotherapy. This approach is in line with the theories of humanistic psychologists such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, who emphasized the potential for good that exists within all people and developed theories and therapies to foster personal growth and self-actualization.

Rogers pioneered the client-centered therapy that focuses on the patient taking a lead role in therapy sessions, with the therapist displaying traits such as unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy. Client-centered therapy is a testament to Rogers's belief in individuals' ability to understand and resolve their problems.

In contrast to other approaches like cognitive-behavioral, which takes cognitive processes and behaviors into account, and behavioral therapies, which are more directive and focused on altering behavior, the humanistic approach supports a more personal and introspective method.

User Pushpendra Kumar
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