Comparing Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Comparing Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Even though pharmacologic agents have been used to treat patients with mental health

issues, psychotherapy is a therapeutic technique that does not require these agents. The approach

uses talk therapy and counselling to reduce the symptoms of the identified mental illness by

modifying behavior. Depending on the underlying illness, the therapist can choose from a wide

variety of psychotherapeutic techniques to treat their clients. Additionally, the setting of the

therapy, such as individual, group, or family sessions, can also determine the type of

psychotherapy adapted for the client. This paper aims to compare humanistic-existential

psychotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy according to different aspects, including

definitions, how they impact a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner’s practice, and

identify why humanistic-existential psychotherapy was utilized with the patient in one of the

assigned videos.

The humanistic-existential psychotherapy is a psychotherapeutic approach or talk therapy

that aims at assisting mental health patients to overcome self-imposed