Humanistic-existential and solution-focused approaches to psychotherapy

This chapter provides an overview of humanistic-existential therapy and solution-focused therapy (SFT) for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse (APPN). It addresses the influence of the humanistic-existential approach in nursing and traces its historical evolution. Four major humanistic-existential approaches are described, explicating their key concepts, goals, and therapeutic interventions: person-centered therapy, existential therapy, Gestalt therapy, and emotion-focused therapy. Motivational interviewing, an important humanistic-existential approach, is covered in Chapter 7 and is not addressed in this chapter. SFT, a postmodern, social constructivist psychotherapy with humanistic-existential elements, is also included. Attention is focused on the practical aspects of conducting psychotherapy and delivering therapeutic interventions that a beginning level APPN would be able to use. Evidence-based research in humanistic existential and SFT is presented. Case examples are provided to illustrate therapeutic interventions. The chapter concludes with a description of postmaster's training and cei'tification programs for humanistic-existential and SFT.