Comparing Humanistic Existential Psychotherapy with Other Approaches

Comparing Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy with Other Approaches Existential and humanistic therapies share various characteristics and are fairly different at the same time. However, the approaches utilize various techniques in the research methodologies, intervention strategies, therapeutic goals, and case conceptualization. They emphasize focusing on clients instead of the symptoms and understanding human experiences (Krug, 2019). Psychological issues (including substance abuse disorders) are seen as the consequence of shortfalls in making self-directed, meaningful, and authentic choices. Therefore, interventions under these methodologies focus on increasing the self-awareness levels among the clients and enhancing self-understanding.

Existential and humanistic methodologies share the belief that individuals have the ability to choose and have self-awareness. Nonetheless, they come to this shared belief from divergent theories. The humanistic perspective asserts that human nature is essentially good, with the ability to make choices, make the best choices in others’ interests and self, and maintain meaningful and healthy relationships (Hoffman et al., 2019). Therefore, in this approach, therapists focus on self-actualization and growth instead of alleviating or curing disorders. From this perspective, the intervention focuses on the conscious process instead of the past causes and unconscious processes. However, just like the existential method, it affirms that individuals have an inborn capacity for responsibly directing themselves.

Humanistic therapies affirm that the true source of problems is not one’s true self. In this regard, therapeutic relationships serve as vehicles of contexts in which the psychological growth processes are enhanced. Humanistic therapists try to create accepting and welcoming therapeutic relationships (Krug, 2019). The therapist trusts that a client will drive himself/herself to self-actualization in a healthy direction. Existentialist therapists focus more on helping individuals to find philosophical meanings in the face of anxiety by choosing to act and think responsibly and authentically.

The existential therapy approach asserts that people’s primary problems are death, despair, isolation, loneliness, and anxiety. Therefore, this technique will influence how I approach patients in clinical practice, for example, by enhancing free will, authenticity, love, and creativity. The primary aim of my approaches in this school will be to enable individuals to live meaningful and satisfying lives in the face of suffering and uncertainty (Schneider, 2019). It will also help me practice therapy, recognizing that human influence is shaped by luck, culture, and biology. Therefore, I will not overlook outside forces while analyzing how individuals can improve their quality of life.

The Behavioural approach focuses on altering unwanted behavior. The changes can be achieved through desensitization, reinforcements, and rewards. The approach is based on the idea that past experiences enable individuals to learn various behaviors. Therefore, it is possible to recondition or unlearn these responses without analyzing past events to establish the reason for the exhibited behaviors (Eelen, 2018). The approach works with addictions, phobias, obsessive and compulsive behavior. For example, a person whose fear of germs causes him/her to wash hands excessively can be taught relaxing techniques, for example, not washing hands after touching a shopping trolley.

The primary philosophy is the behavioral approach is that behavior is a consequence of learning. Individuals are both producers and the product of the environment. However, not a set of unifying behavior assumptions can integrate all procedures existing in the behavioral domain. The primary focus while utilizing this approach is on an overt objective evaluation of therapeutic outcomes, development of specific treatment plans, precise specification of treatment goals, and overt behavior (Eelen, 2018). The learning theory provides essential principles used in administering interventions. While normal behavior is a conscience of imitation and reinforcement, abnormal behavior emanates from faulty learning.

The role of a counselor in this approach varies and includes facilitation, reinforcement, and consultation. The counselor assumes an active role and may supervise other individuals within the client’s surroundings to enable jail achievement. Adopters of the approach formulate the desired behaviors, while operant and respondent conditioning counselors are more prescriptive and directive in their techniques. The primary focus is the elimination of adaptive behaviors and learning effective behaviors. Clients are active participants in establishing treatment goals and assessing how the goals are met. The main techniques used in the approach are