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.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Solution
Humanistic-existential psychotherapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the individual’s subjective experience of the world
Sample Solution
Humanistic-existential psychotherapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the individual’s subjective experience of the world
Humanistic-existential psychotherapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the individual’s subjective experience of the world. It is based on the belief that humans are inherently good and have the capacity for growth and self-actualization. The therapist in this approach creates a warm and accepting therapeutic relationship in which the client can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The goal of therapy is to help the client become more aware of their own values and to live a more authentic and meaningful life.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The therapist in this approach helps the client identify and challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs. They also teach the client coping skills to help them manage their emotions and behaviors. CBT is a well-researched and effective therapy for a variety of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Differences Between Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy and CBT
Here are some of the key differences between humanistic-existential psychotherapy and CBT:
- Focus: Humanistic-existential psychotherapy focuses on the individual’s subjective experience of the world, while CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Goals: The goal of humanistic-existential psychotherapy is to help the client become more aware of their own values and to live a more authentic and meaningful life. The goal of CBT is to help the client identify and challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs, and to teach them coping skills to manage their emotions and behaviors.
- Techniques: Humanistic-existential psychotherapy uses techniques such as reflection, empathic listening, and open-ended questioning. CBT uses techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and exposure therapy.
How These Differences Might Impact My Practice as a PMHNP
As a PMHNP, I would consider the following factors when deciding which approach to use with a particular client:
- The client’s individual needs and preferences: Some clients may prefer the more humanistic approach of humanistic-existential psychotherapy, while others may prefer the more structured approach of CBT.
- The severity of the client’s symptoms: CBT is often a more effective treatment for clients with severe symptoms, while humanistic-existential psychotherapy may be a better fit for clients with milder symptoms.
- The client’s cultural background: The client’s cultural background may also influence the type of therapy that is most effective. For example, some cultures may value the more traditional approach of humanistic-existential psychotherapy, while others may prefer the more Western approach of CBT.
Video Example
In the video “Existential Therapy with a College Student,” the therapist uses humanistic-existential psychotherapy to help the client explore their anxiety about death. The therapist creates a warm and accepting therapeutic relationship, and they help the client to identify and challenge their negative thoughts about death. The therapist also helps the client to find meaning in their life, and to live a more authentic life.
Expected Potential Outcome if CBT Had Been Used
If CBT had been used with the client in the video, the therapist would have helped the client to identify and challenge their negative thoughts about death. They would have also taught the client coping skills to manage their anxiety. It is possible that CBT would have been an effective treatment for this client, but it is also possible that the client would have preferred the more humanistic approach of humanistic-existential psychotherapy.
Sources
- Humanistic-Existential Therapy (American Psychological Association, 2022)
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (American Psychological Association, 2022)
- Comparing Humanistic-Existential Psychotherapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Psych Central, 2018)
