The humanistic orientation grew up in the mid-20th century as a "third force" alongside psychoanalysis and behaviorism. Carl Rogers's person-centered therapy and Abraham Maslow's work emphasize growth, choice and the client's own capacity for change.

Vocabulary & evolution of terms

• Unconditional positive regard: Rogers's term for accepting the client without conditions. It started as one of his core therapist conditions and is now discussed widely as part of the therapeutic relationship across orientations.
• Congruence: Rogers's term for genuineness, where the therapist's inner experience matches what they express. Later writers often call it authenticity or genuineness.
• Self-actualization: introduced by Kurt Goldstein and made famous by Maslow as the top of his hierarchy of needs. Rogers used it for a lifelong tendency toward growth. Maslow later added self-transcendence beyond it.