Clinical Psych

existential theory

any theory that focuses on the nature of, or the problems related to, human existence

finding meaning from the things we'll face

Soren Kierkegaard

Danish philosopher, founder of existentianalism, said "truth is subjectivity", religion is a personal matter, and relationships with God require suffering, wrote "Either/Or", The Sickness Unto Death"

Fredrich Nietzsche

German philosopher who urged a return to values of pride, assertiveness, and strength, and who had a great impact on politics in Italy and Germany

dialect

Process where learning is stimulated from the

integration of opposites

Jean-Paul Sartre

The Existentialist Prototype

Viktor Frankl

Logotherapy

The Statue of Responsibility

rollo may

Anxiety is essential component of human condition

the i-am experience

onthological experience

onto\=to be, logical \=the science of

"Dasein choosing,'' which is translated to the-person-who-is-responsible-for-his-existence choosing, is also used.

4 existential ways of being

umwelt, mitwelt, eigenwelt, uberwelt

umwelt

Being with nature or the physical world.

mitwelt

Being with others or the social world.

eigenwelt

Being with oneself or the world of the self.

uberwelt

Being with the spiritual or over world

the daimonic

Includes both positive and negative psychic energy or the URGE that's the source of both constructive and destructive impulses.

the nature of anxiety

Embrace it!

Normal for humans and good for exploring

Normal versus neurotic

3 consequences of neurotic anxiety

normal and neurotic guilt

Same goes for guilt - it's good to a certain extent

Normal vs Neurotic guilt

Both are best dealt with directly

ultimate concerns

death, freedom, isolation, meaninglessness

methods to determining if life is meaningful

Altruism

Dedication to a cause

Creativity

Suffering

God/religion

Hedonism

Self-actualization

existentialism

Existentialism is often linked with depressing thoughts about life's ultimate concerns.

But the goal is not pessimism or depression, but to embrace life and foster hope.

Self-Awareness: Humans are always looking at themselves and engaging in self-discovery.

Self-awareness and discovery can promote meaning.

Existentialists: Theory of Psychopathology

Emotional numbness or automation living

Avoidance of one's anxiety, guilt, or other meaningful emotions

Failure to acknowledge and reconcile life's ultimate concerns

Avoidance of inner daimonic impulses

Keshen (2006) hypothesizes this sequence in developing psychopathology:

1. there is a will to purpose in life - a want for it

2. person can't find it or fulfill authentic meaning

3. person experiences a vacuum in meaning

4. symptoms associated with vacuum is

5. then person engages in 'purpose substitution'

Existential Practice:

- experience driven

- Techniques are Inauthentic

- technical interventions (therapy) are viewed as artificial or phony

- The I-Thou interpersonal existential encounter is viewed as the change agent and not technique

practicing existential therapy

Personal Responsibility, Free Will, Choice

Self-discovery and meaning making

Presence in the current moment and in life

existential therapies

Existential Integrative Therapy (EIT)

Empathic Mirroring and Focusing

Empathic Mirroring and Focusing

Topical focus (take a moment to see what's present for you).

Topical expansion (tell me more).

Content-process discrepancies (you say you are fine, but your face is downcast).

feedback

Reflecting what you see and hear

confrontation

Reflecting inconsistencies

existential techniques

Paradoxical Intention: "Prescribing the problem"

Cognitive (Meaning) Reframing

Promoting Awareness of Constriction & Expansion

evidence-based status of existentialism

minimal

Lack of focus on specific techniques can make existential therapy challenging to operationalize for RCTs.

critiques of existential approach

Multiculturalists and feminists still critique the existential approach as too narrow

person-centered therapy founder

carl rogers

person-centered therapy is considered \_________________ approach

humanistic

person-centered therapy is deeply \________________________

optimistic

principals of person-centered therapy

Trusting clients and an actualizing or formative tendency.

Empathic understanding and unconditional regard

Therapeutic relationship as mechanism for change

Use relationship to allow for self-discovery and growth

historical influences of person-centered therapy (rogers)

Elizabeth Davis

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

John Dewey

His relationship with his wife

His clients

honoring the client

Rogers gave most of the credit of his theory to his clients\-- he learned what helped and what did not help directly from them.

rogers vs psychiatry

Rogers had a blistering battle with psychiatry to obtain for non-physicians the right to practice psychotherapy.

President of APA in 1946

evolution of pct

•Nondirective counseling....

•Client-centered therapy

•Becoming a person Person Centered Therapy

•Worldwide issues

theory of personality - 4 core features

Self theory

Phenomenology and the valuing of experience

Learning and growth potential

Conditions of worth