Two widely used approaches in psychotherapy are Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy emphasizes the individual’s unique experiences, growth potential, and self-determination. In contrast, CBT focuses on the modification of negative thinking patterns and behavior to improve a patient’s mental health. In this paper, we will describe Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and discuss their differences, as well as their potential impact on the practice of a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy: Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy emphasizes the importance of the individual’s unique experiences, free will, and choice in the therapeutic process. It recognizes the individual’s potential for growth, self-awareness, and self-determination. The therapist’s role in this therapy is to create an environment conducive to personal exploration, self-reflection, and authenticity (Sood, 2021). The therapist provides a supportive, non-judgmental environment that allows the patient to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors freely. In addition, the therapist helps the patient to identify and express their feelings and needs and to set personal goals for growth and development.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the modification of negative thinking patterns and behavior to improve mental health. It is based on the premise that negative thinking patterns and maladaptive behaviors contribute to emotional distress and psychological problems (Van der Zweerde et al., 2020). CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. It also involves teaching patients new coping skills and strategies to help them manage stress and other emotional challenges more effectively.
Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy focuses on the individual’s unique experiences and growth potential, while CBT focuses on the modification of negative thinking patterns and behaviors. In Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy, the therapist creates an environment that is supportive and non-judgmental, allowing the patient to explore their feelings, emotions, and behaviors freely. In contrast, CBT involves teaching patients new coping skills and strategies to manage their emotional challenges more effectively (Davison, 2022).
Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy emphasizes the present, while CBT focuses on the past and present. In Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy, the therapist helps the patient explore their current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to identify areas for growth and development. In contrast, CBT involves exploring past experiences and beliefs contributing to negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy emphasizes self-determination, allowing the patient to set personal goals for growth and development. In contrast, CBT focuses on cognitive restructuring, helping the patient to identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviors (Davison, 2022).
The differences between Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy and CBT can have significant implications for PMHNP practice. PMHNPs who use Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy would focus on creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment that allows the patient to explore their feelings, emotions, and behaviors freely (Davison, 2022). They would help patients identify areas for growth and development and set personal goals for improvement. PMHNPs who use CBT would focus on identifying and modifying negative thinking patterns and behaviors. They would teach patients new coping skills and strategies to help them manage stress and other emotional challenges more effectively.
Humanistic psychology is used because it helps people reach their full potential by encouraging them to take a more in-depth, all-encompassing view of themselves and their surroundings. While treating mental illness, a client-centered approach takes a hands-off approach. The therapist plays a vital role in helping the patient recognize their inner conflict. The client can learn to make sense of their environment and come to terms with the things that are influencing them. James Bugental explains what it feels like to truly hear and comprehend a client’s story of satisfaction. In this way, the therapist can feel the client’s happiness and sadness with them (Psychotherapy Net, 2009). The technique is used
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