Existential Psychotherapy

Existential psychotherapy approaches therapy from a philosophical and intellectual perspective. According to this perspective, we are capable of:

– self-awareness,

– experience the tension between freedom and responsibility,

– build identities and meaningful relationships,

– look for the meaning, purpose, and values in life,

– accept anxiety as a normal part of life,

– are aware of both death and non-existence.

Because we are capable of self-awareness, we are able to consider our actions and make decisions. Realizing that we are limited in time, have the ability to choose whether or not to act, and are therefore prone to loneliness, meaninglessness, emptiness, guilt, and isolation helps us to become more conscious of our surroundings.

Embracing Independence and Responsibility

According to the premise of existential psychotherapy, we have the power to make decisions and are therefore accountable for our lives, our choices, and any inaction. If clients attribute blame for their issues to others, therapists using this approach would assist them in understanding how they enabled others to make decisions for them, the cost of doing so, and would encourage them to think about the alternatives.

Identity is the courage to be: we must have faith in our ability to go within and come up with solutions on our own. The realization that there is no center or self is our greatest fear. Asking them how they have lost touch with their identity and are letting others design their lives will confront clients who are having identity issues.

According to existential psychotherapy, we are all alone. Therefore, it is up to us as humans to assign a purpose to life, make choices regarding how to live, develop a relationship with ourselves, and develop the ability to listen to ourselves. Humans require close connections with other people. Therapists may question patients about the benefits of their relationships as well as the reasons behind their avoidance of close relationships.

Looking for Meaning

Clients of existential therapists are encouraged to reflect on their goals in life and the places in their lives where they find their meaning. In order to encourage patients to believe in their ability to discover their own way of being, a trustworthy therapeutic connection is crucial. Engagement, which is a dedication to creating, loving, working, and building, is a by-product that leads to finding meaning in life. In contrast, a lack of meaning in life results in emptiness and hollowness (sometimes referred to as a “existential vacuum”).

This approach attempts to support clients’ growth in self-awareness, broaden their options, take ownership of their decisions, and experience authentic existence.

Existential therapists consider anxiety to be a condition of life that inevitably results from a person’s struggle for survival. This is referred to as “existential anxiety” and is a common result of confronting the four greatest worries in life: isolation, death, freedom, and meaninglessness.

Once existential anxiety is acknowledged, it can be handled in a positive way. Anxiety may help us with growth once we understand and accept our freedom. We may be scared, but we have the power of change if we have the strength to face our fears and the obstacles.

Death is thought to serve as our inspiration to live each day to the fullest and seize every chance to accomplish something worthwhile.

How does Existential Psychotherapy work?

This approach attempts to support clients’ growth in self-awareness, broaden their options, take ownership of their decisions, and experience authentic existence.

The therapist aims to comprehend the client’s subjective reality, promote personal accountability, and persuade the client to accept responsibility for their part in any troubling life circumstances.

Existential psychotherapy does not focus on techniques; instead, it bases its interventions on philosophical ideas about the nature of human life and makes use of the therapist’s own identity. It is especially effective for clients who have just experienced a loss, are dealing with important decisions or developmental crises, are managing failures in marriage and at job, or are coping with physical constraints brought on by advancing age.

Final thoughts: Advantages and Disadvantages

Existential psychotherapy can be used with a variety of clients looking for meaning in their lives. It can also be used to determine whether their behaviour is impacted by social and cultural issues. Therapists can assist patients in weighing their options and potential outcomes, acknowledging their own role in their circumstances, and determining how to affect change their external environment.

Existential psychotherapy is criticized for being overly individualistic. Nonetheless, for many cultures, it is impossible to discuss oneself and one’s self-determination outside of the context of the social network. Even if clients improve on the inside, there may be little optimism that the exterior realities of racism or prejudice will alter in this modality, which can also be regarded as disregarding the societal issues that contribute to human problems.

Clients who anticipate a structured and problem-focused approach rather than a discussion of philosophical issues may find existential therapy challenging.

Here are few certified therapists who you can get in touch and book a therapy session with:

Dr Simon Cassar

Glen Gibson

Simon Jacobs