Voices of Psychology Graduate Students: Humanistic Training for the 21st Century

Abstract

This study seeks to identify significant issues/challenges faced by humanistic psychology, in particular a more available humanistic psychology in the training of clinicians. Current candidates and recent graduates were surveyed with the question, “Will you please take the time to describe your ideal training for future impact in the field of psychology and the public we serve?” Comments on training were sorted into why they need a humanistic psychology, what they want in the academy, and how these goals might be advanced. These voices from “consumers” challenge the status quo. They name key issues for discourse about the future of humanistic psychology and give most apt advice about how present practitioners must provide visibility and mentoring. For context and summary, the author's observations over two decades of keeping humanistic psychology alive in an APA-accredited clinical training program also suggest courses of action.