Psychologists employ different methods to understand the problems their clients face before formulating solutions to help them recover. These methods can be used alongside prescribed medication to treat a wide range of problems. During a therapy session, the client talks to a licensed health professional who guides them through identifying and understanding their emotions and behaviors that impact their health and well-being. The feelings and behaviors can be a result of childhood trauma, life events, or other factors contributing to the problem. Once the problem is identified, the health professional will apply different psychotherapy approaches to help their clients modify their behaviors and emotions, regain self-control, adopt positive behaviors, and acquire problem-solving skills. This paper examines how Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Existential-humanistic therapy differ in providing solutions to client problems.
Both CBT and Existential-humanistic therapy have been commonly linked to treating a variety of mental health disorders, trauma, and family issues that people face. People who exhibit destructive or disturbing behavioral or thinking patterns that impact their emotions and behaviors undergo CBT to help them learn and modify such behaviors and thoughts (Carpenter et al., 2018). Unlike CBT, that focuses on behavior and thought patterns, Existential-humanistic therapy focuses on the patient's subjective experience, emphasizing personal growth, and self-awareness (Daei Jafari et al., 2020). The therapy combines both humanistic and existential approaches to treatment, including empathy, genuineness, freedom, and responsibility. Individually, both existential and humanistic approaches have different theoretical perspectives. However, Existential-humanistic therapy carries the belief that a client has the capacity for choice and self-awareness.
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CBT is a problem-focused approach that primarily looks at the problem and identifies actions that mitigate it (David et al., 2018). The approach is widely applied to treat patients exhibiting mental disorders. In such cases, a cognitive-behavioral therapist helps the patient identify and practice positive behaviors, thought processes, and emotions through evidence-based strategies that manage the symptoms of the diagnosed mental health disorder. Beyond identifying the negative behaviors and thought patterns, CBT also emphasizes using approaches such as role-playing, distraction techniques, and relaxation approaches to assist patients, especially those with anxiety, depression, and mental illness, overcome the negative thoughts. On the other hand, the humanistic perspective concludes that humans are capable of developing healthy relationships. Therefore, an existential-humanistic therapist instills trust and empathy, allowing the client to share their feelings without prejudice. The therapist further assures the client to think independently and act responsibly.
Among these two forms of therapy, David et al. (2018) note that CBT is one of the most sort-after forms of psychotherapy available to treat many disorders and forms part of many clinical guidelines. However, CBT requires clients to remain committed to achieving success as the cognitive-behavioral therapist only provides advice and guidance on the way forward (Carpenter et al., 2018). At the same time, clients undergoing Existential-humanistic therapy often get frustrated when required to think for themselves and can always lead to confusion (Daei Jafari et al., 2020). Regardless, both methods continue to adopt new clinical guidelines through research and evidence-based practices.
In conclusion, both CBT and Existential-humanistic therapies help treat clients with varying problems and illnesses. While CBT is geared towards assisting clients in managing and modifying their behaviors and thoughts, the Existential-humanistic therapy supports clients in solving their problems through acting and thinking responsibly. Arguably, their similarities and differences set each method apart, and one cannot explicitly point out which method is better than the other. However, both methods mandate clients to take charge of their therapy sessions, showing the desire to change their behaviors and thinking patterns. These methods ensure that clients understand themselves and their surroundings, emphasizing adopting new approaches to self-actualization, self-awareness, and cognitive change.
References
Carpenter, J. K., Andrews, L. A., Witcraft, S. M., Powers, M. B., Smits, J. A., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and related disorders: A meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials. Depression and Anxiety, 35(6), 502-514. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22728
Daei Jafari, M. R., Aghaei, A., & Rashidi Rad, M. (2020). Existential Humanistic Therapy with Couples and its Effect on Meaning of Life and Love Attitudes. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2020.1770142
David, D., Cristea, I., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Why cognitive behavioral therapy is the current gold standard of psychotherapy. Frontiers in psychiatry, 9, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00004
