Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Humanistic-existential psychotherapy is an approach that emphasizes individual experiences, self-awareness, and the search for meaning and purpose in life. It centers on the idea that people are free and responsible for their own choices and that they must navigate existential challenges, such as isolation, meaninglessness, and death, to live authentically (Heidenreich et al., 2021). Therapists focus on helping clients achieve self-actualization and authentic existence by fostering an empathetic and genuine therapeutic relationship, exploring existential anxieties, and encouraging clients to take responsibility for their lives.

Selected Approach for Comparison: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented technique that is time-bound and directs the focus on the changing cognitive and behavioral patterns and the ensuing emotional response as well. It is founded on the principle that psychological disorders are a result of distorted psychological processes as well as maladaptive behaviors, which can be altered to enhance one’s emotional functioning and acquire resilient ways of handling stress. It is an approach that is problem-focused and usually includes home practice activities as a way of practicing things learned in the sessions (Nakao et al., 2021).

Key Differences between Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy and CBT

Focus and Goals

Humanistic existential psychotherapy is based on existential concepts and has a major focus on exploring and resolving existential themes and personal growth. The main focus is to assist the client in finding reasons to live in life. On the other hand, CBT aims at altering cognitive processes as well as behaviors that are perceived as detrimental. The end result is reduced symptoms and enhanced mood control and decision-making capabilities.

Therapeutic Techniques

Humanistic-existential therapy employs permissive approaches and stresses the interpersonal connection and the role of the client. At the same time, some techniques, such as self-disclosure and modeling of appropriate behaviors, are often used (Yılmaz et al., 2019). On the other hand, CBT uses directive procedures such as cognitive reanalysis, behavioral tasks, and exposure therapy. It is more organized and may entail practice work to be completed at home.

View of Anxiety

According to humanistic existential therapy, anxiety is considered a common and inherent part of being human, with particular reference to existential anxiety. Clients are guided by the therapist on how to accept yet challenge such feelings of anxiety. On the other hand, CBT approaches address anxiety mainly as an outcome of cognitive distortions and maladaptive behaviors. The emphasis, therefore, is on the eradication of this anxiety by altering these patterns.

Impact on Practice as a PMHNP

As a PMHNP, the choice of therapeutic approach can significantly impact patient care. Humanistic existential therapy might be more appropriate for clients dealing with existential crises or seeking a deeper understanding of their life purpose. It fosters a strong therapeutic alliance and encourages clients to explore their inner experiences (Posluns & Gall, 2020). On the other hand, CBT might be more suitable for clients with specific, identifiable issues like depression, anxiety disorders, or phobias, as it provides concrete tools and strategies for symptom management.

Case Study Reflection

In the Video by Grande (2019), humanistic-existential psychotherapy was utilized with a patient to address existential concerns and foster self-awareness. This approach was chosen because it helped the patient explore deep-seated fears and anxieties about existence, meaning, and relationships. The therapy aimed to guide the patient toward self-actualization and an authentic way of being.

Had CBT been implemented, the basic direction would have been toward changing specific cognitive processes and behaviors considered to escalate the feelings of anxiety in the patient. The potential benefits might include the alleviation of symptoms by adopting more effective ways of handling things, together with cognitive restructuring. Notably, it is true that the existential themes might not have been as fully explored and elaborated as they are in the humanistic-existential orientation.

Conclusion

Overall, it is critical for psychiatric-mental health practitioners to understand the benefits and drawbacks of both CBT and humanistic-existential psychotherapy. This way, PMHNPs can individualize therapy depending on the patient’s needs and offer better and more targeted treatment. It empowers practitioners to select the best method to improve the condition of patients as well as their general health.

References

Grande, T. (2019, January 9). Theories of counseling – Existential therapy [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvAvc2aWup0

Heidenreich, T., Noyon, A., Worrell, M., & Menzies, R. (2021). Existential approaches and cognitive behavior therapy: Challenges and potential. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 14(1), 209–234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41811-020-00096-1

Nakao, M., Shirotsuki, K., & Sugaya, N. (2021). Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 15(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-021-00219-w

Posluns, K., & Gall, T. L. (2020). Dear mental health practitioners, take care of yourselves: A literature review on self-care. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 42(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-019-09382-w

Yılmaz, O., Mırçık, A. B., Kunduz, M., Çombaş, M., Öztürk, A., Deveci, E., & Kırpınar, İ. (2019). Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy, existential psychotherapy, and supportive counselling on facial emotion recognition among patients with mild or moderate depression. Psychiatry Investigation, 16(7), 491–503. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.03.14

Scholarly Sources

Heidenreich, T., Noyon, A., Worrell, M., & Menzies, R. (2021). Existential approaches and cognitive behavior therapy: Challenges and potential. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 14(1), 209–234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41811-020-00096-1

This article discusses the challenges and potential of integrating existential approaches with CBT, offering a comprehensive analysis of both methodologies.

Nakao, M., Shirotsuki, K., & Sugaya, N. (2021). Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 15(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-021-00219-w

This source provides insights into recent advancements in CBT techniques and technologies, highlighting its effectiveness in managing mental health and stress-related disorders.

Posluns, K., & Gall, T. L. (2020). Dear mental health practitioners, take care of yourselves: A literature review on self-care. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 42(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-019-09382-w

This literature review emphasizes the importance of self-care for mental health practitioners, which is relevant to maintaining personal well-being while providing therapy.

Yılmaz, O., Mırçık, A. B., Kunduz, M., Çombaş, M., Öztürk, A., Deveci, E., & Kırpınar, İ. (2019). Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy, existential psychotherapy and supportive counselling on facial emotion recognition among patients with mild or moderate depression. Psychiatry Investigation, 16(7), 491–503. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.03.14

This study compares the effects of CBT, existential psychotherapy, and supportive counseling on facial emotion recognition in patients with depression, providing empirical data on their outcomes.

Grande, T. (2019,January 9). Theories of counseling – Existential therapy [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvAvc2aWup0

This video offers a detailed exploration of existential therapy, explaining its theoretical underpinnings and practical applications, and serves as a useful supplementary resource for understanding humanistic-existential psychotherapy.

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In a 2-page paper, address the following:

Briefly describe humanistic-existential psychotherapy and the second approach you selected.

Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy

Explain at least three differences between these therapies. Include how these differences might impact your practice as a PMHNP.

Focusing on one video you viewed, explain why humanistic-existential psychotherapy was utilized with the patient in the video and why it was the treatment of choice. Describe the expected potential outcome if the second approach had been used with the patient.

Support your response with specific examples from this week’s media and at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources. Explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources.

Video case study

Grande, T.  (2019, January 9). Theories of counseling – Existential therapy Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvAvc2aWup0