Humanistic and Existential Therapies
Most therapeutic models concentrate on problems, but Humanistic and Existential Therapies focus on enhancement of personal potential and on finding fulfillment in life through authentic behavior. Humanistic and Existential Therapies are commonly used against depression, lack of purpose and lack of self-acceptance. They work though focusing on positive aspects of life and themselves, their true nature and ideas about the meaning of life.
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Sub types of Humanistic and Existential Therapies
Click the subtype you find most appealing to read more details about this technique and comparisons with other subtypes.
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Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on cultivating positive emotions, strengths, and virtues to enhance overall well-being and life satisfaction. Rather than solely addressing mental illness, Positive Psychology aims to help individuals thrive by fostering resilience, optimism, and meaningful engagement in life. Techniques often include gratitude exercises, strengths assessments, and interventions designed to increase positive emotions and experiences. This approach is beneficial for improving mental health, boosting happiness, and promoting personal growth.
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Rogerian Counseling (Person-Centered Therapy)
Developed by Carl Rogers, Person-Centered Therapy is based on the belief that individuals have the inherent capacity for self-direction and personal growth. This approach emphasizes creating a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic environment characterized by unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness. By providing this safe space, therapists facilitate clients' self-exploration and self-acceptance, enabling them to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. Person-Centered Therapy is effective for a wide range of issues, including self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and personal development.
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Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt Therapy focuses on enhancing an individual's awareness of their present experiences, thoughts, and feelings. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the whole person and their interactions with the environment. Techniques used in Gestalt Therapy include role-playing, guided fantasy, and the "empty chair" method, which help clients gain insight into unresolved conflicts and unfinished business. By fostering awareness and encouraging personal responsibility, Gestalt Therapy aims to promote self-discovery, emotional expression, and behavioral change. This approach is particularly useful for addressing issues related to self-awareness, relationships, and personal growth.
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Logotherapy
Logotherapy, developed by Viktor Frankl, is based on the premise that the primary motivational force in humans is the search for meaning in life. This existential therapy helps individuals find purpose and significance, even in the face of suffering and adversity. Techniques in Logotherapy include exploring personal values, identifying meaningful goals, and reframing life experiences to uncover deeper significance. By focusing on meaning-making, Logotherapy assists clients in overcoming feelings of emptiness, despair, and existential crises. This approach is beneficial for individuals grappling with life's purpose, dealing with loss, or experiencing existential anxiety.
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Return to the therapies overview
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Critique from other categories
One effective way of understanding how a certain therapy type relates to other types, is by looking at it through the eyes of the other therapy types, as each has it's own idea about the mechanism to get from A to B. The critiques below will help you in comparing your options. Click the name to read more about this therapy.
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CBT-Based Therapies: Criticize Humanistic and Existential Therapies for lacking structured interventions and measurable outcomes, making it harder to track progress.
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Psychodynamic Therapies (Regression): Argue that Humanistic and Existential Therapies neglect the exploration of unconscious conflicts and past experiences that influence current behavior.
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Somatic Therapies: Suggest that Humanistic and Existential Therapies overlook the effect of stress from past experiences that is stored in the body, which it considers essential for full resolution.​
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Ego Awakening Techniques: Critique Humanistic and Existential Therapies for reinforcing the ego through personal growth strategies rather than promoting ego dissolution or transcendence.
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Breath-oriented Techniques: Suggest that Humanistic and Existential Therapies neglect the role of breath and physiological regulation in managing stress and emotions.​
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Psychedelic-oriented Protocols: Argue that Humanistic and Existential Therapies doesn't facilitate the deeper emotional healing that requires altered states of consciousness.
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About Bukuru
The core philosophy of Bukuru is that each person should test their own beliefs. The project started as a quest to categorize self-development books in such a way that it would become easier to find books that match your beliefs. However, along the way we concluded that the essence of most books can be captured in a few sentences – if the idea is original at all. Instead of helping people buy books, we now help people not buying books.
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