Erik works as a counselor. He strongly believes in an individual's capacity for self-fulfillment, self-awareness, and decision making. He follows the principle that people are responsible for choosing their conduct. Erik's beliefs best exemplify the _______ perspective.

In humanistic and existential psychotherapy, mental issues are seen as the outcome of inhibited ability to make original, meaningful and self-directed choices about living. Humanistic therapy involves acceptance and growth, while existential therapy involves client responsibility and freedom. What brings humanistic and existential therapy together is the belief that people have the capacity for self-awareness and choice.

But they are like a river from different origins, humanistic perspective sees the human nature has good with an intrinsic potential to sustain healthy and meaningful conjugations.

It focuses on how it can help people grow and self-actualize rather than curing the disorders they might have.

Existential therapy however is of the belief that the problems faced by people originate from anxiety which is caused by loneliness, isolation and despair.