Humanistic psychology, crystallised in the mid-20th century through Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (1943; 1954) and Carl Rogers’ person-centred theory of personality and therapy (1951; 1961), boldly reoriented psychology toward meaning, freedom, and human potential, arguing that wellbeing arises when individuals are met with empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard; critics, however, have long noted its methodological limitations. Its concepts are often difficult to operationalize or falsify, its optimism can underplay unconscious conflict, biology, and social constraint (as argued from behaviourist and psychoanalytic perspectives), and its focus on self-actualisation has been critiqued for reflecting Western, individualistic values rather than universal human experience. Yet the legacy of humanistic theories is profound and enduring: they transformed psychotherapy by legitimising the therapeutic relationship as a healing force, reshaped education, healthcare, and social work through person-centred and strengths-based practices and directly inspired contemporary movements such as positive psychology (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), which empirically investigates meaning, resilience, and flourishing. By insisting that people are not merely collections of symptoms or behaviours, but intentional, growth-oriented beings embedded in social contexts, humanistic psychology has contributed enduringly to personal wellbeing and societal health, fostering cultures of dignity, empathy, and participation that extend far beyond the consulting room into public policy, community mental health, and human rights discourse. From a Christian perspective, humanistic theories in psychology are appreciated for their emphasis on human dignity, personal responsibility, and the innate desire for growth, which resonate with the biblical view that humans are created in the image of God. However, Christianity also raises concerns about humanistic psychology’s tendency to center ultimate authority and goodness within the self, often minimising humanity’s need for God’s grace. While humanistic theories highlight potential and self-actualization, Christian thought emphasises that true wholeness and transformation are found not solely through self-discovery, but through a restored relationship with God, guided by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.