Existentialist theory

Counselling Concepts

Existential psychotherapy may be used when

someone deals with a life crisis and finds their environment to be meaningless.

We must focus on the client's

self-esteem, individual problems and social relationships.

This was coined by two European psychiatrists who

critiqued Freud for viewing people as mere theories.

This may not be suitable for individuals with

broader issues, they will feel frustrated and ignored.

Soren Kierkegaard (Danish philosopher)

grandfather of existentialism.

Humans take a "YOLO" approach to life but the seriousness typically hits them

towards the end of high school - I need to study harder, get a job, learn to drive, find my soulmate.

Friedrich Nietzsche (German philosopher) focussed on

self-sabotage and projection, the subjective experience of human emotion.

Coping examples

confrontive coping, distancing, self-controlling, seeking social support, accepting responsibility, escape-avoidance, planful problem solving, positive reappraisal

psychosocial

an illness (and indeed, any crisis), usually involves oneself and others in one’s social orbit.

Existentialist thinking would suggest that

death makes us confront issues important in one’s life and in the lives of those we are attached/committed to.

Crises can bring these thoughts to the forefront of our lives

and so, for many, are inescapable.

James Bugental suggested three short-term existentialist principles

self-discovery, developing self-help problems and conducting this therapy in a way that doesn't interfere with long-term existential therapy, even if the client hasn't taken it up yet.

When we demonstrate authenticity and our own values

we can expect the same from the client.