Humanistic / Existential Therapies Flashcards
4 Types of Humanistic / Existential Therapies
1) Client Centered
2) Gestalt
3) Existential
4) Experiential / Symbolic
Client Centered Therapy
Theory of Change
- Change occurs by creating conditions for the client to grow through the therapeutic relationship with the presence of three essential components:
- CONGRUENCE / Genuineness
- UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD
- Empathy
A Humanistic Theory
Client Centered Therapy
Therapist’s Role
- NONDIRECTIVE
- A facilitator (helper) who sets the state and believes the client is able to do what is necessary for growth and change, self-actualization
- Views people as inherently good - NO DIAGNOSING
- Client determines goals of therapy and sets number of sessions
Client Centered Therapy
Treatment Goals
- Self Acceptance
- CONGRUENCE between client’s idealized and actual selves (living authentically)
- Increased self-understanding
- Decreased levels of defensiveness, insecurity, and guilt
- More positive relationships and increased comfort with others
- Increased ability to experience and express feelings in the HERE AND NOW (awareness)
Client Centered Therapy
Key Concept: Congruence
- Therapist is GENUINE with client
- Shares feelings honestly
- Does not hide behind professional facade
- Therapist is transparent with feelings, thoughts, and beliefs
Client Centered Therapy
Phases of Treatment
NO SPECIFIC PHASES OF TREATMENT - Look for answers with Key Words: Congruence Unconditional Positive Regard Empathy Self-Actualization Locus of Control Non-directive Promote Self Acceptance
Gestalt Therapy
Theory of Change
Change occurs through increased awareness of HERE AND NOW experience in a dialogic relationship
An Existential & Humanistic Theory
Gestalt Therapy
Therapist’s Role
- AUTHENTIC Present Other
- Non-directive and non-judgmental (free to make own choices)
- Increase the client’s awareness in the PRESENT MOMENT
Gestalt Therapy
Treatment Goals
- Client to become aware of what they are doing, how they are doing it, and how they can change themselves
- Learn to ACCEPT and VALUE themselves
Gestalt Therapy
Key Concept: Phenomenological Method
- Exploring experience by description and abstaining from interpretation
- I see you tearing up, what’s happening
Gestalt Therapy
Key Concept: Dialogical Relationship
- Therapist’s presence allows for the client to become fully present
- Open to client’s experience through dialogue
Gestalt Therapy
Interventions
- Empty Chair Technique
- Experiments
- Body Techniques: Describe what it feels like in your body
- Focus on the process
Gestalt Therapy
Phases of Treatment
NO SPECIFIC PHASES OF TREATMENT
*Therapy unfolds in the HERE AND NOW
Existential Therapy
Theory of Change
- Change occurs through finding philosophical meaning in the face of anxiety by choosing to the think and act authentically and responsibly
- Emphasizes personal choice
*Core Question: “How do I exist?” in the face of uncertainty, conflict or death
Existential Therapy
Therapist’s Role
- Provide an encounter with a “real” other
- Presence of the therapist is essential
- Help the client focus on PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for making decisions
- Genuine, authentic
Existential Therapy
Treatment Goals
- Client discovers their own life meaning
- Client confronts anxiety inherent in living, part of the human condition
- Client experiences agency and RESPONSIBILITY in the construction of their life… empowerment
Existential Therapy
Key Concepts
- All persons have the capacity for self awareness
- Must accept RESPONSIBILITY that comes with FREEDOM
- Each person has a unique identity that can only be known through relationship with others
- Anxiety is part of the human condition
- Death is a basic human condition that gives significance to life
Existential Therapy
Interventions
- Focus on moment moment process that on explicit content
- Holding up problem experience so it may be seen
- Talking about and naming emotional pain to be processed with increased support
Existential Therapy
Phases of Treatment
NO SPECIFIC PHASES OF TREATMENT
Experiential / Symbolic Therapy
Theory of Change
- Change happens through the existential encounter - the authentic meeting of the therapist and client in the present moment and by EXPANDING the client’s range of EXPERIENCE
- Generally used with families
Experiential / Symbolic Therapy
Therapist’s Role
- Authentically being with client
- Playful, Creative
Experiential / Symbolic Therapy
Treatment Goals
- Growth and increased FLEXIBILITY
- Expand ways of interacting
Experiential / Symbolic Therapy
Phases of Treatment
Beginning
- Engage family as authentic person
- BATTLE FOR STRUCTURE
- Encourage all members to attend
- Family wins BATTLE FOR INITIATIVE
- Gather information about boundaries, coalitions, roles and level of conflict
Experiential / Symbolic Therapy
Phases of Treatment
Middle
- Develop sense of COHESION
- Create alternative interactions
- Highlight inappropriate boundaries
- Role play situations
- Use play and “craziness”
Experiential / Symbolic Therapy
Phases of Treatment
End
- Highlight accomplishments and reflect on growth
- Identify possible block to future growth
- ROLE PLAY future scenarios
- Each member expresses feelings about their experience of therapy
Experiential / Symbolic Therapy
Key Concepts: Battle for Structure
- Therapist establishes rules and working atmosphere of treatment
- Includes the need for the entire family to attend sessions
Experiential / Symbolic Therapy
Key Concepts: Battle for Initiative
- Motivation for change must come from family
- Includes having family state agenda for each session
- Waiting silently for family to take initiative
- Allowing family to determine how change is going to happen
Experiential / Symbolic Therapy
Key Concepts: Play, Humor and “Craziness”
- Tapping irrational side
- Finding solutions in CREATIVE interactions
Humanistic
- focus on ACCEPTANCE and GROWTH
- people are constantly growing, trying to be happy and BETTER
- people have disowned certain aspects of themselves
- things from the past like unprocessed regrets, shame
