What Is Existential Therapy?
Existential therapy is a philosophical approach to psychotherapy that focuses on exploring the fundamental concerns of human existence, such as freedom, responsibility, meaning, isolation, and mortality. Rooted in existential philosophy, it emphasizes the client’s capacity for self-awareness, choice, and personal growth. Rather than seeking to “fix” problems, existential therapy helps individuals confront and make sense of the anxieties and dilemmas inherent in life, encouraging them to live authentically and align their actions with their values.
By addressing existential concerns, the therapy aims to empower clients to find meaning and purpose in their lives while embracing their freedom to shape their own destiny.
”By keeping death in mind, one passes into a state of gratitude, of appreciation for the countless givens of existence. This is what the Stoics meant when they said, “Contemplate death if you would learn how to live.
Irvin D. YalomExistential Psychiatrist
The Process
Therapeutic Relationship
There is work in building a strong, authentic and collaborative relationship that emphasises empathy, presence and openness to the clients experiences and creates a safe environment for exploration of existential concerns.
01
Clarifying Present Experience
The client’s current life situation, emotions and challenges are explored. Phenomenology is used to focus on the lived experience without judgement or preconceived ideas.
02
Existential Concerns
The therapist helps the client uncover underlying existential themes such as freedom & responsibility, meaning & purpose, isolation & connection and mortality & death.
03
Exploring Values & Authenticity
Clients are assisted in uncovering their values and assessing the alignment between their actions and their authentic self. Encouragement in the pursuit of meaningful and self-determined choices.
