This document discusses existential-humanistic therapy as a treatment option for a 39-year-old African American female client diagnosed with major depressive disorder and PTSD following the death of her infant son two years ago. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been effective in treating PTSD, but existential-humanistic therapy focuses more on self-awareness and increasing self-worth without targeting the disorder itself. Both therapies could benefit the client, with CBT first to reduce symptoms, then existential-humanistic therapy later to further increase self-worth and view wellness as a process.

1. Existential-Humanistic Therapy
Existential-Humanistic TherapyExistential-Humanistic TherapyAH is a 39-year-old African
American female who lives with her husband and four children. Her children’s ages are 16,
11, 5, and 7 months old. She has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and Post-
traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The client had a two-week-old son that died from Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) two years ago. The client’s symptomology includes tearful
episodes, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, depression, hopelessness, decreased
concentration, and poor sleep. The client is taking Cognitive behavioral therapy and as the
provider thinking about starting extrinsic -humanistic treatment. Cognitive-behavioral
therapy has been proven by research to help clients with PTSD (Center for Substance Abuse
Treatment, 2019). This paper will explore the strengths and challenges of CBT and
existential-humanistic therapy for a client with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Cognitive-
behavioral therapy is a first-line treatment choice for clients with depression. CBT has a
tone of evidence-based practice for treating a wide variety of mental health disorders.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on changing the client’s attitudes and behavior to
change behaviors, ultimately, attitudes toward self, and improve emotional reaction. CBT is
a broader therapy and offers the client coping skills to deal with life events. Existential-
humanistic treatment is a more focused therapy that focuses the clients on self-awareness
and individual goal (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2019)s. This type of therapy
does not focus on the disease but decreases symptoms by increasing the client’s self-worth.
Both therapy options would be great for AH. I would use CBT first to reduce symptoms of
depression, anxiety, and nightmares. Existential-humanistic therapy would be offered later
to increase the client’s self-worth. As a provider, it is essential to understand when to
introduce new treatment. According to Wheeler (2014), the humanistic-existential
approach has long served as a foundation for psychiatric nursing, emphasizing self-
actualization, facilitative communication, and the therapeutic relationship (Center for
Substance Abuse Treatment, 2019). Existential-humanistic therapy can be beneficial when a
therapeutic relationship is and the idea that achieving wellness is a process (Center for
Substance Abuse Treatment, 2019).ReferencesCenter for Substance Abuse Treatment.
(2019). Brief Interventions and Brief Therapies for Substance Abuse. Rockville (MD):
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration US. Treatment Improvement
Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 34. Chapter 6 – Brief Humanistic and Existential Therapies.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64939Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy
for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice

2. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.ORDER NOW FOR ORIGINAL,
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