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Existentialism is a form of philosophical inquiry that explores the issue of human existence. [1] [2] Existentialist philosophers explore questions related to the meaning, purpose, and value of human existence. Common concepts in existentialist thought include existential crisis, dread, and anxiety in the face of an absurd world and free will ...
- Overview
- What is existential theory?
- What is existential therapy?
- How does existential therapy work?
- Who may benefit from existential therapy?
- Limitations of existential therapy
- When to speak with a doctor
- Summary
Existential therapy is a form of psychotherapy that aims to help people find a sense of meaning in their lives. It is less rigidly structured than other types of therapy and focuses on exploring a person’s whole existence.
Existential therapy derives its core concepts from the philosophy of existentialism, or existential theory.
One of the foundational ideas of existentialism is that there is no inherent meaning to life, so it is each person’s responsibility to create meaning and a sense of purpose for themselves.
This article explores what existential theory is, what existential therapy is and how it relates to this philosophy, who may benefit from existential therapy, its limitations, and when to talk with a doctor about any mental health concerns.
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Existential theory, or existentialism, is the philosophical school of thought dealing with questions of existence and how to live a meaningful life.
The central theme of existentialism is that life has no predetermined or innate meaning, but people can use their free will to create identity and a sense of meaning for themselves.
Existential therapy is a philosophy-informed approach to psychotherapy. It may help a person address mental health conditions such as existential anxiety and existential depression.
There is no rigid definition of existential therapy. Rather, it is an umbrella term for a group of psychotherapeutic approaches that philosophy informs and that focus on similar existential problems and solutions.
However, most existential therapy practices deal with the American psychiatrist Irvin Yalom’s four givens:
•isolation
•death
•meaninglessness
Unlike other forms of psychotherapy, existential therapy generally places less emphasis on diagnosing mental health conditions and relieving symptoms.
Instead, existential therapy aims to help people explore their lived experiences in an authentic, sincere, open, and comprehensive way without suppressing difficult or distressing emotions or thoughts.
Through a collaborative and spontaneous process of discovery with their therapist, a person may gain a clearer sense of the subjective meaning their experiences may contain. In this way, they can come to terms with their own existence.
Existential therapy avoids doctrine or dogma. Each therapist’s approach and each therapist-client relationship is highly individualized. It places special emphasis on the relationship between therapist and client.
However, one common approach of existential therapy is the phenomenological method. It focuses on experience as a person lives it, rather than on their reflections on the meaning of this experience.
Ultimately, existential therapy’s goal is to help people find or create meaning in their lives despite the concerns and anxieties that life naturally causes.
Due to its fundamental concentration on someone’s entire existence rather than just symptom relief and psychopathology, existential therapy may suit a broad range of people, including those living with:
•anxiety
•substance use disorders
•depression
•post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
•loneliness or isolation
While there is some evidence that existential therapy may be effective for some people, it may not suit everyone.
Some people may find existential therapy’s central themes, such as Yalom’s four givens, are too pessimistic or dark for them.
If someone feels particularly vulnerable or anxious, they may not be ready to embrace the painful, hurtful aspects of existence that this type of therapy may address.
Another of existential therapy’s limitations is that this therapeutic approach naturally resists definition, according to the New School of Psychotherapy and Counseling.
If someone is concerned about their mental health or is experiencing any mental health symptoms, speaking with a doctor may help.
A primary care physician may refer someone to a mental health professional. They may be able to provide psychotherapy, such as existential therapy, or other treatments.
Existential therapy is a type of psychotherapy that explores aspects of existence, such as freedom, meaninglessness, isolation, and death.
Unlike other therapies that focus on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions and their symptoms, existential therapy considers a person’s experiences without suppressing difficult or distressing emotions or thoughts. This may help a person develop a better sense of meaning in their life.
- Harry Webster
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More importantly for us, however, is the fact that he carried existential philosophy directly into psychology, with books such as The Transcendence of the Ego (Sartre, 1937/1957) and a section entitled “Existential Psychoanalysis” in his extraordinary work Being and Nothingness (Sartre, 1943). Whereas Kierkegaard believed that man could ...
- a. Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) as an Existentialist Philosopher. Kierkegaard was many things: philosopher, religious writer, satirist, psychologist, journalist, literary critic and generally considered the ‘father’ of existentialism.
- b. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) as an Existentialist Philosopher. “I know my lot. Some day my name will be linked to the memory of something monstrous, of a crisis as yet unprecedented on earth…” (Nietzsche 2007:88).
- c. Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) as an Existentialist Philosopher. Heidegger exercised an unparalleled influence on modern thought. Without knowledge of his work recent developments in modern European philosophy (Sartre, Gadamer, Arendt, Marcuse, Derrida, Foucault et al.)
- d. Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) as an Existentialist Philosopher. In the public consciousness, at least, Sartre must surely be the central figure of existentialism.
Nov 17, 2023 · Rank gifted us with a whole new language for psychoanalysis. It is a language of cosmic rather than strictly interpersonal scope. And it is a re-languaging of relationship. In Rank’s case, it is ...
Feb 24, 2018 · First it must be understood that Franklian psychology is an existential psychology. At the most basic level, the term “existential ” refers to existence, or more specifically, to human existence (Simpson and Weiner 1989 ). It comes from the Latin ex meaning “out of” and sistere, which means to “emerge” or “stand out.”.
Jan 1, 2014 · Abstract. Positive psychology and existential psychology are commonly thought to reflect radically different perspectives on the deep questions of human nature, what constitutes legitimate psychological inquiry, and the meaning of the good life. In this chapter, we identify and discuss three important ways in which positive psychology and ...
