National Counselor Exam (NCE)

In which therapy is the concept of "the self" crucial to understanding personality?

1. Psychoanalytic therapy

2. Behavioral therapy

3. Cognitive behavioral therapy

4. Humanistic therapy

The correct answer is: Humanistic therapy

The concept of "the self" is crucial to understanding personality in humanistic therapy because this approach emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and the individual's subjective experience. Humanistic theorists, such as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, focus on the inherent worth of the individual and the potential for personal development. In humanistic therapy, practitioners often help clients explore their feelings and experiences to foster self-awareness and a deeper understanding of themselves. This emphasis on "the self" is integral to the therapeutic process, as clients work towards realizing their true selves and overcoming obstacles to achieving their full potential. Humanistic therapy operates with the belief that individuals are capable of making choices that lead to a fulfilling life, making the exploration of one's self-concept foundational to the therapeutic work. Other therapeutic approaches, while valuable in their own right, do not center the concept of "the self" in the same manner. Psychoanalytic therapy focuses more on unconscious processes and conflicts, behavioral therapy is rooted in observable behavior and external stimuli, and cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on the cognitive patterns that influence behavior rather than a holistic view of the self.