A humanistic perspective is an approach to psychology that emphasizes empathy and stresses the good in human behavior. In politics and social theory, this approach calls for human rights and equality. In counseling and therapy, this approach allows a psychologist to focus on ways to help improve an individual's self-image or self-actualization — the things that make them feel worthwhile. Humanism is an optimistic, whole-person theory that focuses on what makes each individual person unique.