What is Existential Therapy?
The origins of existential therapy can be traced back to the existential philosophers of the 20th century, particularly Jean-Paul Sartre. Unlike other animals, humans possess consciousness and an awareness of their mortality, which grants them the capacity and responsibility to make choices in each moment, shaping their actions and being.
Existential therapy centers around the inherent anxieties and uncertainties that accompany life and existence, including death, the fear of the unknown, and the quest for meaning. It asserts that each individual possesses the capacity and personal responsibility to make decisions and shape their path to success.
How does Existential Therapy work?
Existential counseling differs from other therapy types by not placing significant emphasis on past events, although it does consider them in collaboration between the therapist and individual to understand their implications. Instead of blaming the past, existential counseling utilizes it as insight to promote freedom and assertiveness, allowing individuals to realize they are not defined by their history and are not bound to a predetermined future.
Practitioners of this approach aim to facilitate the individual's personal exploration of values, assumptions, and ideals, avoiding judgment and encouraging self-expression. Therapists adopt an open-minded attitude, questioning their own biases and assumptions, with the goal of understanding the individual's assumptions more clearly.
Central to existential counseling is the belief that while humans are fundamentally alone, they have an innate longing for connection with others, which can shed light on specific concerns and help individuals understand their emotions.
Who can Existential Therapy help?
People who introspect and view their difficulties as existential rather than psychiatric are more likely to benefit from existential therapy. This approach is particularly suitable for individuals dealing with existential issues like terminal illnesses, thoughts of suicide, or significant life changes.
Existential psychotherapy has also proven effective in addressing other concerns like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance dependence.
References: Positive Psychology, The Atlantic, Mental Health Center, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, The Human Condition
Marcus Berley is a Self Space Seattle therapist who works with high-achieving people who want to access the deeper areas of their lived experience, including individuals who struggle to fully enjoy their success and couples who struggle to address conflict and cultivate a more intimate connection.