Comparing Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy with Other Approaches Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Humanistic-existential psychotherapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that applies both humanistic and existential therapy philosophies, including humanism, existentialism, and phenomenology (Wheeler, 2020). The psychotherapeutic approach is majorly focused on the humanistic aspects of an individual’s existence. As a combination of two therapeutic approaches, humanistic-existential psychotherapy leverages the individual’s experiences to promote change behaviors that lead to healing and growth. The humanistic part of the psychotherapeutic approach focuses on the human side of the individual that affects their perception of existence, including their self-actualization and fulfilment potential, self-awareness, and subjective experiences. The existential part of humanistic-existential psychotherapy focuses on their perception of their individual existence, such as responsibility, freedom of existence, and other existential concerns, including death and purposefulness (Heidenreich et al., 2021). For instance, the client, Joe, feels constricted, unhappy, and does not feel alive. This therapeutic approach is centred on developing a deep-meaning therapeutic relationship (Wheeler, 2020).
On the other hand, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on managing maladaptive thought patterns and behavioral issues (Heidenreich et al., 2021). CBT combines cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy to address emotional and behavioral issues. The approach is goal-oriented and aims to provide external resources for skill-building to strengthen an individual’s internal resources that are essential to coping. CBT, as a combined cognitive and behavioral therapeutical approach, focuses on identifying and changing disturbing thought processes that negatively impact the individual’s behavior and emotions and, thus, their social functioning. CBT adopts a more time-limited approach to providing therapy, enabling the patient to provide feedback on their experiences with the therapy.
Differences between the Mentioned Therapies and How These Differences Might Impact My Practice as a PMHNP
The main differences between humanistic-existential psychotherapy and cognitive therapy are notable based on the philosophical foundations, the therapeutic relationship, and the approach to treatment each psychotherapeutic approach employs. From a philosophical perspective, humanistic-existential psychotherapy is founded on the philosophies of humanism, existentialism, and phenomenology. It focuses on an individual’s subjective perspectives of the meaning of life, existence, and self-fulfilment. On the other hand, CBT is grounded on the philosophies of cognitive and behavioral psychology (Heidenreich et al., 2021). These philosophical foundations mean that CBT is based on the understanding and belief that thought processes influence behaviors and emotions.
On the other hand, the therapeutic relationship differences between humanistic-existential psychotherapy and CBT are based on the fact that the humanistic-existential psychotherapeutic approach prioritizes a therapeutic relationship that emphasizes unconditional empathy and positive support from the therapist (Wheeler, 2020). However, despite appreciating the importance of therapeutic relationships, the CBT approach focuses on the internal resources to guide behaviour change (Heidenreich et al., 2021).
Another notable difference is in the therapeutic approaches used to treat the patient. Humanistic-existential therapy follows a more non-structured approach to treatment and focuses mainly on creating a long-lasting, deep therapeutic relationship with the client as a vehicle toward behaviour change. It thus allows the client to be more open-minded in exploring their emotions and existential concerns. On the other hand, CBT follows structured strategies that focus on specific cognitive and behavioral problems. It aims to develop technical interventions to drive specific behavioral changes.
Consequently, understanding these differences between the two psychotherapeutic approaches can influence my practice as a PMHNP. I must select the approach based on the patient’s preferences, intended outcomes, and expected positive outcomes. It can also define how I relate with the clients during therapy as well as what to focus on during therapy sessions and treatment.