Theory Framework Comparison

Core concepts to explain Human Nature Psychodynamic

Id, Ego, & Superego are parts of everyone

Humans driven by unconscious need for stable sense of self and relationship/ connection to others

Unconscious internal working models shape relating

Core concepts to explain Human Nature Humanistic/ Experiental

Humans driven for self-actualization (growth, meaning, be their best selves)

individual continuously constructs their sense of self through ongoing interaction with their environment

Core concepts to explain Human Nature Cognitive-Behavioral

Humans are animals trying to survive

Humans are what they do/ think/ say (there is no "deeper" human thing)

Key Assumptions Psychodynamic

All humans, everywhere are the same

Psychic determinism - all thoughts/ feelings/ behaviors are determined by unconscious mental processes and past experiences

Past experiences determine future relationships

Key Assumptions Humanistic/ Experiental

Each individual is unique - no universal human experience

Humans are born with the potential to self-actualize - have the innate ability/agency

Humans are unified wholes (cant be understood in parts)

Experiensing something is more important than "knowing" it (not Adler)

The present moment is what matters (not Adler)

Subjective experiences/ perceptions are what matter

Key Assumptions Cognitive-Behavioral

Observable behaviors are what matter --> empirisism (data driven)

Behaviors are functional - humans are logical

Humans are social and can learn from observing others

Regardless of learning history (i.e., what happened in the past) - present is what matters

How do individuals and systems develop? Psychodynamic

Each stage of life has specific developmental things that must happen for continued development

Early experiences create internal working models that persist into adulthood

How do individuals and systems develop? Humanistic/ Experiental

Development involves ongoing construction of self-concept through lived experiences

Humans have an inborn capacity for growth and are continuously developing throughout life

How do individuals and systems develop? Cognitive-Behavioral

Information processing is inborn

You process the environment and learn from environment = develop

Continuous, circular, process

What is the role of the environment? Psychodynamic

Early environment determines internal structures and relational patterns that persist into adulthood.

primarily historical—past shapes present.

What is the role of the environment? Humanistic/ Experiental

inextricably linked to individual—they form a unified field and cannot be fully understood separately

provides both support and limitation: it fosters growth and imposes inherent restrictions on agency (biological, cultural, circumstantial).

What is the role of the environment? Cognitive-Behavioral

Environment influences individuals

Environment = stimuli, consequences

What does it mean to be healthy? Psychodynamic

Aware of your internal "self" that is stable across time/ situations

use a range of flexible defense mechanisms; can tolerate ambivalence and experience a full range of emotions

can form secure relationships not determined by past patterns

What does it mean to be healthy? Humanistic/ Experiental

Being in (and aware of) the present moment - engaged participation in life and relationships

Being independent in their ability to self-regulate

Sense of self aligns with how they actually life

What does it mean to be healthy? Cognitive-Behavioral

Thoughts/ behaviors are enabling you to function in your environment

How do problems develop and how are they maintained? Psychodynamic

Developmental fixation: Unresolved conflicts/ unmet needs in prior stage gets carried forward leaving person with immature ways of coping/relating to the world

Unconscious patterns or conflicts

How do problems develop and how are they maintained? Humanistic/ Experiental

Your lived experiences do not match your internal perception of yourself so you are incongruent

restriction of awareness—the individual learns to deny, distort, avoid, or interrupt full contact with present experience.

may originate from chronically unsupportive early environments, mistaken perceptions formed in childhood, or avoidance of existential realities (fear of death)

How do problems develop and how are they maintained? Cognitive-Behavioral

Problem behaviors are learned based on how you processed your environment in the past

Problems maintained by negative thinking patterns/ present environment

Therapeutic Change Psychodynamic

Mechanism of change = increased insight into past/ unconscious patterns

Goals: Increased Insight into unconscious processes/ relationships

Therapeutic Change Humanistic/ Experiental

More aware of present moment (emotions)

Sense of "self" is congruent with how you are (act/ feel)

Therapeutic Change Cognitive-Behavioral

Goals: learn new ways to think

Goals: learn new ways to behave

Therapeutic Relationship Psychodynamic

Therapist is active participant in therapy - analyzing relationship between client therapist (transference/ countertransference) provides insight into unconscious

Therapeutic Relationship Humanistic/ Experiental

Therapist relationship is healing

Unconditional Positive regard from the therapist is key

Therapeutic Relationship Cognitive-Behavioral

Therapist as teacher/ coach

Relationship is important because it enables therapist to be a good coach/teacher

Intervention Factors Psychodynamic

Dream Analysis

Free association

Family = Genograms

Transference/ Countertransference

Intervention Factors Humanistic/ Experiental

Interpersonal communication - reflections, affirmations

Empty Chair Technique

Intervention Factors Cognitive-Behavioral

Self-monitoring

Behavioral Activation/ Activity Scheduling (depression) (encouraging individuals to engage in meaningful and rewarding activities)

Exposure

Cognitive coping (acceptance)

Cognitive coping (restructuring)

Session Process - homework, agenda

Skills training (social skills, coping skills, planning)

Research Support Psychodynamic

Affect focus ++ Brief Psychodunamic Therapy ++

Family Bowen ++ Differentiation of self ++

Adults with Anxiety, Depression, Somatic disorder, Personality Disorders, Interpersonal Problems

Children Only adolescents w/ depression

Groups Mentalization-based for Adolescents who self-harm
Adults with BPD and/or Substance Use

Research Support Humanistic/ Experiental

Emotion-focused Therapy works "humanistic Therapy Adults

Existential therapy specifically good for those with chronic illness

Positive regard - no RCTs... hard to measure... but clients like it

Chair work lots throughout therapy is better (not RCTs)

Emotion Focused Therapy works! Especially for couples (dominant population sample)

Research Support Cognitive-Behavioral

Most research support. Basically all large classes of disorders

Kid support

No support for treating Mania directly. (yes support for medication adherence)

Ethical Considerations Psychodynamic

Be wary of over-interpretations by therapist

Ethical Considerations Humanistic/ Experiental

Gestalt not recommended for sensitive to feedback people (depressed)

Ethical Considerations Cognitive-Behavioral

Research evidence is biased towards white middle class kids

Psychodynamic Lens for maya

Maya may have internalized the belief that worth depends on achievement and approval.

Her perfectionism may function as a defense against fear of failure, shame, or criticism.

She may be repeating early relational patterns where care and approval were conditional.

Humanistic-Experiential Lens for maya

Maya may be disconnected from her authentic needs and feelings.

Therapy would focus on helping her develop self-awareness, self-acceptance, and greater congruence.

The therapist would offer empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard.

Cognitive Behavioral Lens for maya

Maya likely has automatic thoughts like “If I make a mistake, I’ll disappoint people” or “I must be perfect.”

Her anxiety and perfectionism are maintained by reassurance-seeking, overpreparing, and avoidance.

Therapy would target cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and coping skills.

Conditions of worth (Humanistic / Experiential)

Beliefs that one’s value depends on meeting others’ expectations.

Focus on Lived Experience Humanistic / Experiential

The central task is understanding the client's unique "phenomenal field"—how they perceive their world and themselves.

Here-and-now (Humanistic / Experiential)

Paying attention to what is happening in the present moment.

Incongruence (Humanistic / Experiential)

Mismatch between self-experience and self-concept; often a source of distress.

Self-concept (Humanistic / Experiential)

The beliefs a person has about who they are.

Defense mechanisms Psychodynamic

Unconscious strategies used to reduce anxiety or protect the ego from painful feelings.

examples repression (burying memories), projection (attributing own faults to others),

Automatic thoughts Cognitive-Behavioral

Spontaneous thoughts that pop up quickly in response to a situation.

Cognitive distortions Cognitive-Behavioral

Inaccurate or biased thinking patterns, such as catastrophizing or black-and-white thinking.

Avoidance CBT

Staying away from feared situations or feelings, which often maintains anxiety.

Cognitive restructuring CBT

Identifying, challenging, and replacing unhelpful thoughts.