Existential therapy

Freedom and Responsibility

emphasizes that individuals have the freedom to make choices and must accept the responsibility that comes with those choices

Authenticity

refers to living in accordance with one’s true self and values

Existential Anxiety

a natural response to the awareness of life’s uncertainties, including death, isolation, and freedom

Search for Meaning

• process through which individuals seek to understand their purpose and values in life.

• existential therapist guide clients in exploring what gives their lives meaning

Isolation

recognizes that social isolation is a fundamental aspect of the human experienc

Awareness of Death

acknowledging mortality serves as a motivation for individuals to live fully and meaningfully

Being–in-the-world

emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals with their environment, relationships, and self

Existential Vacuum

state of emptiness or meaninglessness that can arise when individuals fail to engage with life meaningfully

Self-Awareness

capacity to reflect on one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions

Ultimate Concerns

refers to fundamental issues faced by all humans, such as death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness

Existential Therapy

• a philosophical approach rather than a distinct style of psychotherapy

• emphasizes freedom and responsibility individuals have in shaping their lives, challenging the deterministic views of traditional psychoanalysis and behaviorism

Soren Kierkegaard

• Father of Existentialism

• emphasizes the importance of individual angst and the necessity of making authentic choices

• argued that without confronting anxiety, individuals risk living passively

Friedrich Nietzsche

• challenged traditional notions of rationality, advocating for the ‘will to power’ as a source of personal values

• believed that embracing one’s subjectivity is essential for creativity and authenticity

Martin Heidegger

• focused on ‘being-in-the-world’, urging individuals to live authentically rather than conforming to societal expectations

• emphasized understanding one’s moods as a way to gauge authenticity

Jean-Paul Sarte

• asserting that humans are free to make choices that define their essence

• introduced concepts like bad faith - self-deception regarding one’s freedom

Martin Buber

emphasized relational dynamics, introducing the concept of ‘I-Thou’ relationships that foster genuine connection and meaning

Non-Technique-Oriented Approach

• prioritizes understanding the client’s world over specific techniques

• based on philosophical views of human existence rather than diagnosis or prognosis

Initial Phase

• clients identify and clarify their assumptions about the world.

• focus on examining values, beliefs, and perceptions to determine their validity

Middle Phase

• clients explore the source and authority of their current value system

• self-exploration leads to new

Final Phase

• implementing learned insights into action beyond therapy sessions

• serves as a rehearsal for real-life engagement, encouraging clients to apply internalized values