ANSWER
Psychodynamic psychotherapy and humanistic-existential psychotherapy are contrasted.
An explanation of existential-humanistic psychotherapy
The foundation of humanistic-existential psychotherapy is the conviction that people are capable of self-actualization, self-awareness, and personal development. This method places a strong emphasis on the therapeutic alliance and aims to comprehend the client’s subjective experience. Humanistic therapy emphasizes congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard, as shown by Carl Rogers’ person-centered approach. In order to help clients deal with anxiety and life transitions, existential therapy delves into larger existential issues like meaning, freedom, and responsibility.
An explanation of psychodynamic psychotherapy
Based on psychoanalytic theories, psychodynamic psychotherapy emphasizes unconscious processes and how previous experiences influence current behaviors. Examining unresolved problems, coping strategies, and relationship patterns are all part of the therapy process. Free association, dream analysis, and transference exploration are important methods. In order to alleviate symptoms and promote personal development, this method aims to raise self-awareness and understanding of emotional challenges.
Disparities Among the Therapies’ Treatment Objectives:
The focus of humanistic-existential psychotherapy is on the client’s current experiences as well as their potential for self-determination and personal development. It focuses more on comprehending the client’s emotions and existential problems than it does on rehashing past events.
The goal of psychodynamic psychotherapy is to identify unconscious conflicts that have their roots in the past and comprehend how they influence present-day emotions and behaviors.
Effect on Procedure: While psychodynamic treatment may necessitate a more thorough examination of a client’s past and sustained therapeutic commitment, a humanistic-existential approach may feel more client-directed and urgent to a PMHNP.
Relationship for Therapy:
Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy: The therapist guides the patient by fostering an accepting and empathetic environment that encourages self-discovery.
Through transference and other techniques, the therapist actively interprets unconscious processes for the client in psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Impact on Practice: While psychodynamic treatment necessitates patience and the capacity to decipher intricate emotional patterns, the humanistic approach might promote a quicker rapport-building process.
Orientation to Time:
Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy: Focuses on the present moment, examining existential issues and feelings.
Focusing on past events and their continuing impact, psychodynamic psychotherapy frequently calls for a longer therapeutic session.
Impact on Practice: Psychodynamic therapy may be better suited for long-term, deeply ingrained emotional problems that call for prolonged therapy, whereas humanistic therapy may be more useful in the short-term, solution-focused situations typical of PMHNP settings.
Video Analysis: Case Consultation with James Bugental
James Bugental uses a humanistic-existential approach in the live case consultation video, emphasizing the client’s inner emotional difficulties and lived experience. He fosters an empathetic and attentive therapeutic atmosphere that empowers the client to face and investigate their own selves and existential issues. This method is used because the client’s difficulties seem to be the result of an existential crisis affecting identity and self-worth, and the humanistic-existential framework provides resources for promoting meaning and self-actualization.
Anticipated Result of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Had psychodynamic treatment been applied, the emphasis would have been shifted to identifying unconscious patterns and investigating the ways in which the client’s present feelings of inadequacy are influenced by previous relational experiences. Although this might offer insightful information, the humanistic-existential approach may be able to more effectively address the client’s current existential issues. Although it might take longer to bring about change, psychodynamic therapy may be able to identify underlying problems that are causing the client’s difficulties.
Assistance from Academic Resources
Wheeler (2020): Talks about the importance of humanistic-existential methods for promoting meaning and personal development. Because it incorporates theoretical underpinnings and evidence-based procedures for advanced practice nurses, this source is considered academic.
Gehart (2024) outlines the distinctions between therapeutic philosophies and how they apply to individual and family therapy. Its peer-reviewed status guarantees legitimacy and conformity to contemporary healthcare procedures.
In order to treat mental health issues, the American Psychiatric Association (2022) offers diagnostic frameworks and encourages the combination of different psychotherapy modalities. In the fields of psychology and psychiatry, the American Psychological Association is a reputable authority.
In conclusion
Psychodynamic psychotherapy and humanistic-existential psychotherapy provide different approaches to meeting the requirements of clients. Humanistic therapy is perfect for people looking for instant self-awareness and improvement because it concentrates on existential issues and present emotions. Deep insights can be gained through psychodynamic therapy, which explores unconscious patterns and calls for a lengthier commitment. Depending on the needs of the client and the therapeutic objectives, PMHNPs can use either of these approaches, which are both useful tools. PMHNPs can customize interventions to support the best possible mental health outcomes by being aware of these frameworks.
Citations
K. Wheeler (2020). A how-to manual for evidence-based practice in psychotherapy for advanced practice psychiatric nurses (3rd ed.). Published by Springer.
D. R. Gehart (2024). A practical approach to theories and clinical case documentation for mastering family therapy competencies (4th ed.). Cengage Education.
Psychiatric Association of America, 2022. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (text revision). Dr. S. M. Psychiatry Online
Upon request, PDFs of these sources can be attached.
QUESTION
To prepare:
· Review the humanistic-existential psychotherapy videos in this week’s Learning Resources.
· Reflect on humanistic-existential psychotherapeutic approaches.
· Then, select another psychotherapeutic approach to compare with humanistic-existential psychotherapy. The approach you choose may be one you previously explored in the course or one you are familiar with and especially interested in.
The Assignment
In a 2- to 3-page paper, address the following:
· Briefly describe humanistic-existential psychotherapy and the second approach you selected.
· Explain at least three differences between these therapies. Include how these differences might impact your practice as a PMHNP.
· Focusing on one video you viewed, explain why humanistic-existential psychotherapy was utilized with the patient in the video and why it was the treatment of choice. Describe the expected potential outcome if the second approach had been used with the patient.
· Support your response with specific examples from this week’s media and at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources. Explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources.
The second approach I selected is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Video
· PsychotherapyNet. (2009, June 29). James Bugental live case consultation psychotherapy video Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl8tVTjdocI
Reference,
· American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://go.openathens.net/redirector/waldenu.edu?url=https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
· “Culture and Psychiatric Diagnosis”
· Gehart, D. R. (2024). Mastering competencies in family therapy: A practical approach to theories and clinical case documentation (4th ed.). Cengage Learning.
· Chapter 8, “Experiential Family Therapies”
· Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2020). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing.
· Chapter 6, “Humanistic-Existential and Solution-Focused Approaches to Psychotherapy”