Abstract
This study seeks clarity on the definition of the ‘fully functioning’ individual to enable clients to define their own therapeutic aims in humanistic therapy. The definition and use of therapeutic aims or goals is not common in humanistic therapy. However, the potential for utilising goal setting is discussed in the context of Rogers’ ideas on self‐directed learning, which could be applied to humanistic therapy. A simple description of Rogers’ notion of a fully functioning person would give the client a start point from which to define their own hopes for emotional growth, which could then engage goal‐directed behaviour. As a result, humanistic therapy may be more efficient as clients focus their processing towards specified outcomes. Further, a clear sense of personal direction and self‐efficacy may enable clients to manage their own therapeutic development on a self‐therapy basis.
Initially, a literature review was undertaken to collate existing descriptions of a fully functioning person or ideal humanistic outcomes. These were condensed into a list of items, which were then distributed to 35 therapists for ratification through a Delphi study. Group consensus was reached, and the resulting list was then simplified so that it could be easily understood by a sample of the general public. The final outcome was a list of 71 items describing a fully functioning individual in simple terms.