Cognitive and existential therapies: Toward an integration

Cognitive and existential therapies are typically viewed as so diverse in their assumptions as to be largely incompatible, representing opposite ends of the psychotherapeutic spectrum. The purpose of this article is ta show how a merging of these therapies may contribute to a greater range of options for therapists. The authors attempt to show the surprisingly wide number af connections between these two school. Comparisons and suggestions are made in the areas of the therapeutic relationship, interpersonal and environmental factors, sociotropy and autonomy, and meaning-making, Existential therapy is especially helpful in understanding the formation and identification of ontological care schemas, and an extensive list of these is provided. A case example is provided that illustrates the integration of these two approaches.