Integrating Evidence-Based Practice with Existential-Humanistic Practice

Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology (EBPP) is a controversial and continually evolving construct. Existential-humanistic therapists have actively engaged in critiquing many aspects of EBPP, including how this can objectify a client and limit one’s understanding of the client and their presenting issues. While critiques are important, it is also possible to align existential-humanistic case formulation and therapy with EBPP to help support the effectiveness of this modality when working with a diverse array of clients. This workshop begins with a brief history, critique, and current definition of EBPP (APA Taskforce of Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology, 2006). Emerging from this, a more robust and inclusive definition of EBPP drawing from an existential-humanistic foundation is offered (Hoffman, 2024). Next, a brief discussion ensues of how existential-humanistic therapy aligns with the first pillar of EBPP: competencies and clinical experience. Building from the competencies, the 12 primary existential-humanistic interventions are identified, and a brief overview and illustration of each intervention is offered. Consideration is given to how each intervention aligns with the other two pillars of EBPP: 1) use of the best-available research and 2) ability to adapt for individual and cultural differences (see Hoffman & Lac, 2025). After discussing the evidence-based foundations of existential-humanistic therapy, participants will learn how to demonstrate that existential-humanistic case formulations and treatment plans align with the principles of EBPP. Brief clinical vignettes and illustrations will be used to demonstrate.

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