Compare Existential Humanistic Therapy To Other Types ✓ Solved
Compare Existential-Humanistic Therapy to Other Types of Therapy Understanding
Compare Existential-Humanistic therapy to a therapy you select from the previous weeks of this course. You will identify the strengths and challenges of each and describe a fictional client that you think is best suited for each.
Post a summary of the psychotherapy that you selected and explain why it resonates with you the most at this time. Then compare the psychotherapy you selected with existential-humanistic therapy. What are the strengths and challenges of each type of psychotherapy? Describe a fictional client that you think would be best suited for the therapy you selected and one fictional client you think would be best suited for existential-humanistic therapy. Explain why.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
In exploring different psychotherapy modalities, understanding their core principles, strengths, and limitations is essential for mental health practitioners. Among various approaches, Existential-Humanistic therapy has garnered interest because of its focus on individual experience, personal meaning, and human potential. Conversely, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has long been a widely used evidence-based approach emphasizing the modification of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. This paper compares Existential-Humanistic therapy with CBT, examines their respective strengths and challenges, and presents fictional client profiles best suited for each therapy.
Overview of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a structured, goal-oriented approach that aims to identify and challenge dysfunctional thought patterns and replace them with healthier behaviors and beliefs. It is evidence-based and supported by extensive empirical research, making it highly effective for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and phobias (Beck, 2011). The approach emphasizes active collaboration between therapist and client, with homework assignments designed to develop coping skills.
Resonance and Personal Connection to CBT
As a mental health professional, I resonate with CBT because of its pragmatic and structured approach, which provides clear objectives and measurable outcomes. Its emphasis on skill development and behavioral change aligns with my interest in evidence-based practice, making it a compelling choice for clients seeking practical strategies for managing distress.
Existential-Humanistic Therapy: Principles, Strengths, and Challenges
Existential-Humanistic therapy centers on authentic human experience, emphasizing personal responsibility, free will, and the search for meaning. It encourages clients to confront existential concerns such as death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness (Yalom, 1980). Its strengths include fostering deep self-awareness, facilitating personal growth, and emphasizing individual values. However, its challenges involve the lack of structured techniques and the need for a highly skilled therapist capable of handling complex, abstract discussions.
Comparison of Strengths and Challenges
| Existential-Humanistic Therapy | Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy |
|---|---|
| Fosters deep self-awareness and personal growth | Structured, goal-oriented, and evidence-based |
| Addresses fundamental human concerns and promotes meaningful life | Efficient for specific clinical conditions like depression and anxiety |
| Encourages authentic living and personal responsibility | Provides practical strategies and measurable progress |
| Challenges include less structure and reliance on therapist skill | May overlook deeper existential issues and subjective meaning |
Fictional Client Profiles
Client suited for CBT
John is a 30-year-old male experiencing panic attacks and social anxiety. He seeks practical strategies to manage his symptoms and improve his daily functioning. His goal is to reduce his avoidance behaviors and develop coping skills to handle social situations more confidently.
Client suited for Existential-Humanistic Therapy
Maria is a 45-year-old woman grappling with feelings of emptiness and a loss of purpose after retirement. She seeks to explore her sense of meaning and identity, confronting existential concerns like mortality and freedom. She desires a therapeutic process that encourages self-discovery and authentic living.
Conclusion
Both CBT and Existential-Humanistic therapy offer valuable frameworks for addressing diverse client needs. Understanding their strengths and limitations assists clinicians in tailoring interventions to fit individual clients' unique struggles and goals.
References
- Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond. Guilford Press.
- Yalom, I. D. (1980). Existential Psychotherapy. Basic Books.
- Wheeler, K. (2014). Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse: A How-To Guide for Evidence-Based Practice. Springer Publishing.
- Corey, G. (2013). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.
- Schneider, K. J., & Krug, O. T. (2010). Existential-Humanistic Therapy. American Psychological Association.
- May, R. (1983). The Discovery of Being: Emotional Experience, Ottoson, and the Philosophy of Existentialism. W.W. Norton & Company.
- Prochaska, J. O., & Norcross, J. C. (2010). Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis. Brooks/Cole.
- Rogers, C. R. (1957). The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic change. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 21(2), 95-103.
- Frankl, V. E. (1959). Man's Search for Meaning. Beacon Press.
- Schneider, K., & Krug, O. T. (2010). Existential-Humanistic Therapy. American Psychological Association.