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NRNP 6645 WEEK 7

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NRNP 6645 WEEK 7

NRNP 6645 WEEK 7: Humanistic–Existential Therapy

NRNP 6645 WEEK 7: Humanistic–Existential Therapy

Introduction

Psychotherapy helps treat a myriad of psychological, behavioral, and cognitive disorders, problems, and their symptoms and is perceived as the primary approach in mental healthcare management. Psychotherapy is often used alongside pharmacotherapy to enhance treatment effectiveness and quick recovery (Locher et al., 2019). Different types of psychotherapy exist and are perceived as suitable for different mental health conditions and disorders and varying patient circumstances. This paper addresses humanistic-existential therapy and contrasts it with cognitive behavioral therapy based on primary themes, modes of application, expected outcomes, and the therapist’s role.

Description

The primary aim of humanistic-existential therapy is to foster self-awareness and personal growth, focusing on people and who they are in their current state. This approach strongly emphasizes the individual and their current state and encourages them to accept individual responsibility for their current state and the consequences of their action (Robbins, 2021). Most individuals are reluctant to accept that they are responsible for who they are and their current state and spend much time blaming others. humanistic-existential therapy revolves around the relationship between the provider and the patient and practitioners helping patients discover themselves and enhance self-awareness of who they are and the world around them (Robbins, 2021). Accepting responsibility for their actions and who they are can help address their resistance and help them have a more meaningful existence. The focus is on self-searching and meaning. Cognitive behavioral therapy combines behavioral and cognitive therapies. It emphasizes the learning’s in developing normal and abnormal or unaccustomed behaviors, adopting the cognitive approach, which focuses more on what individuals think rather than do (Robbins, 2021). The primary aim of CBT is to deal with dysfunctional thinking that causes dysfunctional emotions and behaviors, assuming that people can change what they do and how they feel by changing how they think and reason.

(NRNP 6645 WEEK 7: Humanistic–Existential Therapy)

Differences between Humanistic-Existential Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Humanistic-existential therapy is rooted in the understanding that human experience influences the current state and that individuals are more responsible for who they are today. According to this approach, individuals develop psychological issues or disorders when they fail to make authentic, self-directed, and responsible or meaningful decisions about their lives (Solobutina & Miyassarova, 2019). Interventions associated with humanistic-existential therapy aim at enhancing the individual’s self-awareness and self-understanding. The core words and themes are acceptance, growth, responsibility, and freedom. The approach stresses that people have the capacity for making decisions and self-awareness, focusing on the individual or the person as having an inherent ability to maintain healthy, constructive relationships and make decisions that benefit oneself and others (Solobutina & Miyassarova, 2019). This approach influences my PMHNP practice by guiding me to focus on helping people gain freedom from disabling assumptions and attitudes to live a more fulfilling life. It also stresses that I adopt existential philosophies to help the client make more authentic and responsible decisions to better their lives.

On the other hand, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) explores the relationship between cognition, emotion, and behavior. This approach focuses on automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions, and underlying beliefs as the primary aspects of cognition (Chand et al., 2022). The approach stress that cognitive distortions like an overgeneralization, minimization, disqualifying the positive, selective abstraction and dichotomous thinking and underlying beliefs affect reasoning and perception and interpretation of things and events (Chand et al., 2022). CBT is more structured and goal-oriented, involving the therapist and the patient working collaboratively to modify thinking and behavior patterns to bring about positive change and enhance the quality of life, which is a contrast to the humanistic-existential therapy that focuses on helping people through self-realization and self-understanding to make more authentic and responsible decisions. I consider humanistic-existential therapy more ruthless because it calls for the client to take more responsibility in their lives instead of blaming others people and things or events.

Why Humanistic-Existential Therapy was used with Client in the Video

The video selected for review has ‘Joe’ as the client, and he presents to the practitioner as feeling unwell and less alive. The client attended therapy sessions two years ago for anger issues, but the process was not effective in helping address his dysfunctional and unaccustomed behavior and actions. The patient complains of a lack of place orientation and has constricted feelings. The humanistic-existential therapy was selected to help the client enhance self-awareness and self-understanding and increase the capacity to make authentic and meaningful decisions. Adopting this approach would help “Joe” better understand his life with a better individual identity, purpose, and meaning in life and help develop quality relationships with other people. Adopting the CBT approach in this situation would focus on dysfunctional thought and behavior patterns that impact Joe’s life and how to address these dysfunctions to impart positive change. The outcome would be altered thinking and behavior patterns that would help Joe live a more fulfilling life.

(NRNP 6645 WEEK 7: Humanistic–Existential Therapy)

Conclusion

Humanistic-existential therapy focuses on the individual as a whole person with the capacity to maintain a healthy life and make authentic and responsible decisions. In contrast, CBT focuses on dysfunctional thinking and behavior patterns that are pervasive in a client and contribute to their mental health problems. Both theories emphasize bringing positive change to the inner individual and helping people gain more control over their lives through self-awareness and self-understanding and more positive thinking and behavior patterns. The therapist can complement or supplement each other in treating mental health conditions.

Supporting Sources

Locher et al. (2019) explore psychotherapy in detail. Robbin (2021) discusses an existential-humanistic approach to positive psychology, and Chad et al. (2022) discuss cognitive behavioral therapy and associated concepts. Solobutina and Miyassarova (2019) tackle the existential personality fulfilment dynamics in psychotherapy course. These studies are peer-reviewed and scholarly because they are written and reviewed by experts in the field with extensive knowledge and authority to address particular topics.

References

Chand, S. P., Kuckel, D. P., & Huecker, M. R. (2022). Cognitive behavior therapy. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.

Locher, C., Meier, S., & Gaab, J. (2019). Psychotherapy: A World of Meanings. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 460. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00460

Robbins B. D. (2021). The Joyful Life: An Existential-Humanistic Approach to Positive Psychology in the Time of a Pandemic. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 648600. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648600

Solobutina, M. M., & Miyassarova, L. R. (2019). Dynamics of Existential Personality Fulfillment in the Course of Psychotherapy. Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 10(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10010021

 
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Week 5 Discussion Post: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Week 5 Discussion Post: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Comparing Group, Family, And Individual Settings

(Week 5 Discussion Post: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Comparing Group, Family, And Individual Settings)

How the use of CBT in groups compares to its use in family or individual settings

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychosocial treatment that improves impaired thinking and behavior patterns. CBT treats various mental health diseases, including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and substance use, eating disorders, and marital issues. According to Guo et al. (2021), CBT significantly improves functioning and quality of life by helping individuals identify and acknowledge thinking and behavior distortions, understand behaviors and motivations better, learn problem-solving skills to address the distortions, and bolster confidence in their abilities. CBT is applicable in individual, group, and family settings. (Week 5 Discussion Post: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Comparing Group, Family, And Individual Settings)

Cognitive-behavioral group therapy is a group approach adopting behavioral, cognitive, relational, and group strategies and procedures to improve the coping skills of group members and enhance the relational and interpersonal issues that participants are experiencing. CBT in group settings involves a practitioner or various practitioners offering therapy to several individuals with common goals and issues and seeking mutual reinforcement. The practitioner is responsible for guiding and managing group processes, including setting engagement rules, setting expectations, objectives, and icebreakers, managing interpersonal dynamics, and ensuring the success of group CBT (Guo et al., 2021). Managing interpersonal dynamics is imperative to successful group processes because group members differ in personalities, attitudes, goals, characters, and perceptions. These differences can be a barrier to a successful group or an opportunity to learn from each other. Per Guo et al. (2021), compared to individual CBT, group CBT is more effective in treating conditions like anxiety and drug and alcohol abuse because it enhances opportunities for mutual support, normalization, positive peer modeling, exposure to different situations and perceptions, and reinforcement. (Week 5 Discussion Post: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Comparing Group, Family, And Individual Settings)

CBT in family settings involves a practitioner or practitioners providing psychotherapy to family members designed to improve family dynamics and relationship building. When applied in family settings, CBT evaluates interactional dynamics in the family and their contribution to family functioning and dysfunction (Pagsberg et al., 2022). The therapist engages family members to highlight problems in emotions, beliefs, and behavioral exchanges and how they can be addressed to improve interaction and family dynamics. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often applied in individual settings involving a practitioner working with a single patient. CBT for individuals focuses on personal development and is appreciated by those seeking interaction at a personal level and a high degree of attention (Guo et al., 2021). The therapist works with the client on their personal goals, and the client’s needs and preferences guide decision-making and patient care. The practitioners select an approach that best suits the client and contributes to personal development. The treatment plan is tailored to the client’s needs and depends on what strategies are effective in different situations. Guo et al. (2021) compared individual CBT to group CBT and found that individual CBT expands opportunities for treatment individualizations and addressing a client’s specific needs. It is also more effective for conditions like avoidant behavior and conduct disorder. (Week 5 Discussion Post: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Comparing Group, Family, And Individual Settings)

Week 5 Discussion Post: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Comparing Group, Family, And Individual Settings

Challenges PMHNPs might encounter when using CBT in group settings

Implementing CBT in group settings can be challenging, particularly due to individual differences and conflicting goals and needs. Common problems include the emergence of sub-groups attributed to individual differences like race and ethnicity and high dropout rates when individuals feel their needs are not adequately addressed, or the process is no longer beneficial (Rasmussen et al., 2021). People with a desire for individual attention can be problematic in group settings. It is also unsuitable for persons with social anxiety or fear of shame and humiliation despite it being used in some cases to improve social skills and self-confidence by encouraging social interactions and the development of interpersonal skills. (Week 5 Discussion Post: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Comparing Group, Family, And Individual Settings)

Why Sources are Scholarly

Selected sources to support the discussion include Rasmussen et al. (2021), Guo et al. (2021), and Pagsberg et al. (2022). These sources are peer-reviewed and scholarly and obtained from the PubMed database. Authors have the background knowledge to address the discussion topic, and they are affiliated with professional and academic institutions, including the Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 3A, 1. sal, 2900 Hellerup, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. These attributes give the authors authority to research the topic and make the sources scholarly. (Week 5 Discussion Post: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Comparing Group, Family, And Individual Settings)

References

Guo, T., Su, J., Hu, J., Aalberg, M., Zhu, Y., Teng, T., & Zhou, X. (2021). Individual vs. Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 674267. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.674267

Pagsberg, A. K., Uhre, C., Uhre, V., Pretzmann, L., Christensen, S. H., Thoustrup, C., Clemmesen, I., Gudmandsen, A. A., Korsbjerg, N. L. J., Mora-Jensen, A. C., Ritter, M., Thorsen, E. D., Halberg, K. S. V., Bugge, B., Staal, N., Ingstrup, H. K., Moltke, B. B., Kloster, A. M., Zoega, P. J., Mikkelsen, M. S., … Plessen, K. J. (2022). Family-based cognitive behavioural therapy versus family-based relaxation therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: protocol for a randomised clinical trial (the TECTO trial). BMC psychiatry, 22(1), 204. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03669-2

Rasmussen, L. P., Patras, J., Handegård, B. H., Neumer, S. P., Martinsen, K. D., Adolfsen, F., Sund, A. M., & Martinussen, M. (2021). Evaluating Delivery of a CBT-Based Group Intervention for Schoolchildren With Emotional Problems: Examining the Reliability and Applicability of a Video-Based Adherence and Competence Measure. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 702565. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.702565

 
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Week 4 Discussion: Cognitive techniques and behavioral technique – Answered

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Discussion: Cognitive techniques and behavioral techniques – Answered

Describe two cognitive techniques and two behavioral techniques. In what types of situations would you choose each? Two scholarly sources and references are required. Initial Post relevance to the topic of discussion, applicability, and insight. Quality of Written Communication Appropriateness of audience and word choice is specific, purposeful, dynamic, and varied.   Grammar, spelling, punctuation. Inclusion of APNA standards essentials explored in the discussion as     well as the role-specific competencies as applicable(Use articles that are below 5 years) (Week 4 Discussion: Cognitive techniques and behavioral technique – Answered).

Answer

Cognitive and Behavioral Techniques in Therapy

Cognitive Techniques

  1. Cognitive RestructuringCognitive restructuring involves identifying and challenging irrational or maladaptive thoughts and replacing them with more rational, adaptive ones. This technique is particularly useful in treating cognitive distortions such as catastrophizing, overgeneralization, or black-and-white thinking. For instance, a person with generalized anxiety disorder might use cognitive restructuring to reframe thoughts of imminent disaster into more balanced and realistic thoughts, reducing overall anxiety (Beck, 2011). This technique is beneficial in situations where individuals experience negative thinking patterns that contribute to emotional distress.
  2. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)MBCT combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings and to develop a non-reactive attitude towards them. This technique is effective in preventing the recurrence of depression and managing stress. For example, individuals who have recovered from major depressive episodes might use MBCT to recognize and disengage from early signs of depression, thus preventing relapse (Kabat-Zinn, 2013). MBCT is suitable for situations where there is a need to manage chronic emotional conditions and enhance overall emotional regulation.

Behavioral Techniques

  1. Exposure TherapyExposure therapy involves gradually and systematically exposing individuals to feared objects or situations to reduce anxiety and avoidance behaviors. This technique is widely used in treating phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For example, a person with a fear of flying might undergo gradual exposure to flight-related stimuli, starting with looking at pictures of airplanes and progressing to actual flight experiences. This method helps in reducing fear responses through repeated and controlled exposure (Craske & Barlow, 2007). Exposure therapy is most appropriate for treating specific phobias and anxiety disorders.
  2. Behavioral ActivationBehavioral activation focuses on increasing engagement in rewarding and meaningful activities to counteract depression and improve mood. This technique is effective in treating depression by encouraging individuals to participate in activities that align with their values and interests, thereby reducing withdrawal and inactivity. For instance, a person experiencing depressive symptoms might be encouraged to schedule and engage in activities they previously enjoyed, such as social interactions or hobbies. This approach is beneficial in addressing symptoms of depression and enhancing overall functioning (Dimidjian et al., 2006). Behavioral activation is particularly useful in situations where individuals exhibit low motivation and decreased activity levels due to depression (Week 4 Discussion: Cognitive techniques and behavioral technique – Answered).

References

  • Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
  • Craske, M. G., & Barlow, D. H. (2007). Mastering your anxiety and panic: Workbook (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Dimidjian, S., Barrera, M., Martell, C., Munoz, R. F., & Lewinsohn, P. M. (2006). The origins and current status of behavioral activation treatments for depression. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 2, 261-285. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.2.022305.095259
  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2013). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Principles and Practice. Guilford Press.
 
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