Existential Therapy
Existential therapy became popular in the 1950's and can be credited to Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, and Irvin Yalom. James Bugental and Clemmont Vontress are two American therapists who are important contributors to existential therapy. Existential therapy derives from the concept of existential thought which can be traced back all the way to Aristotle. Existential therapy focuses a lot with the human condition and the anxiety found in the crisis of life against death (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). This form of psychotherapy explores the human mind and difficulties from a philosophical perspective. It looks at the human conidtion and applauds human capabilities and encourages individuals to take responsibility for their successes. "Emotional and psychological difficulties are viewed as inner conflict caused by an individual's confrontation with the givens of existence. Rather than delve into the past, the existential approach looks at the here and now, exploring the human condition as a whole and what it means for an individual" (Counselling Directory).
Goals
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Concepts
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Ultimate Concerns for the Human Condition & Responses The following is a list of the four major concerns of the human condition which can typically be found to be the root of emotional difficulties. They follow with the responses to how the effect can be avoided or kept from cause great emotional and mental harm.
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Existential and Neurotic Anxiety
- It is healthy to feel anxiety about the four ultimate concerns and it is a positive sign showing that people care about their existence. When people lack that awareness and fail to take responsibility, existential and neurotic anxiety occur, and this is when the person becomes depressed and should seek therapy.
Human Development
- Existentialists focus on development through the lifespan rather than childhood. "Existing is never static; people are always becoming something new, striving to move toward their possibilities, and making their lives worthwhile" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014 p. 182).
- It is healthy to feel anxiety about the four ultimate concerns and it is a positive sign showing that people care about their existence. When people lack that awareness and fail to take responsibility, existential and neurotic anxiety occur, and this is when the person becomes depressed and should seek therapy.
Human Development
- Existentialists focus on development through the lifespan rather than childhood. "Existing is never static; people are always becoming something new, striving to move toward their possibilities, and making their lives worthwhile" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014 p. 182).
Dasein
- Translated, it means being present, "it acknowledges that human beings exist, have consciousness, and are responsible for their own existence" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014 p. 182). The following is a list of four ways of being in the world. We are always in the world and creating our own at the same time. We must understand our perceptions of the world to understand ourselves.
Mental Health - "Being in balance and harmony with one's inner-self; with one's friends, family and colleagues; with one's physical environment; and with one's spirituality" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014 p. 183). When all four aspects of Dasein are in harmony, a person has mental health. |
Human Condition
- Existential therapy believes that people have many strengths, and the human spirit has a healthy core. The following are examples of human strength:
- Existential therapy believes that people have many strengths, and the human spirit has a healthy core. The following are examples of human strength:
Awareness
- People are both aware of themselves and the world. Awareness increases our possibilities and allows us to recognize the limitations and challenges of our lives. Authenticity - The concept of living life for yourself in a way that only you have chosen, rather than living it under someone else's demands. Freedom and Responsibility - Once the idea of freedom is accepted responsibility comes into play. Once we realize we have choices we can no longer make excuses for ourselves and shift the blame, we must take full responsibility for our actions. Actualization - Everyone is born with the desire to self-actualize. We want to realize our full potential. Making Meaning - We are capable of bringing purpose and meaning to our lives. "Meaning is the purpose and logic of our lives" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014 p. 185). |
Treatment
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Techniques/ Important Aspects
Existential therapy does not use techniques, but it does focus on important aspects related to being in the world.
Symbolic Growth Experience"The Symbolic Growth Experience (SGE) refers to those significant moments in life when we create personal meaning by symbolizing our immediate experience in the interest of heightened awareness and personal growth" (Frick, 1987).
Frankl's Logotherapy and Paradoxical Intention
Logotherapy- "therapy through meaning" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014 p. 188). This therapy is Frankl's term for existential therapy, and helps people find meaning in their lives.
Paradoxical Intention - Frankl developed this in order to break the pattern of the fear of fear increasing that fear. It encourages clients to do or wish for the very thing they fear most.
Dereflection
Takes the focus away from the person and helps them concentrate more on other people or goals they find meaningful. This aims to reduce compulsive self-observation and critique. It helps them find meaning in present situations rather than become trapped in obsessive worry.
Symbolic Growth Experience"The Symbolic Growth Experience (SGE) refers to those significant moments in life when we create personal meaning by symbolizing our immediate experience in the interest of heightened awareness and personal growth" (Frick, 1987).
- The relationship between experience and discovery of meaning
- Four steps
- People are educated about SGE
- Select a past experience and explore it's importance
- Understand the meaning embedded in this experience
- Gain a clearer sense of that meaning and the method and be able to repeat it for other experiences
Frankl's Logotherapy and Paradoxical Intention
Logotherapy- "therapy through meaning" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014 p. 188). This therapy is Frankl's term for existential therapy, and helps people find meaning in their lives.
Paradoxical Intention - Frankl developed this in order to break the pattern of the fear of fear increasing that fear. It encourages clients to do or wish for the very thing they fear most.
Dereflection
Takes the focus away from the person and helps them concentrate more on other people or goals they find meaningful. This aims to reduce compulsive self-observation and critique. It helps them find meaning in present situations rather than become trapped in obsessive worry.
Example
Information provided by:
Counselling Directory. (2014). Existential therapy. Retrieved from http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/existential-therapy.html.
Frick, William. (1987). The symbolic growth experience: Paradigm for a humanistic-existential learning theory. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 27, 406-423. Abstract retrieved from http://jhp.sagepub.com/content/27/4/406.abstract.
PsychotherapyNet. (April 1, 2009). Existential-humanistic psychotherapy with James Burgental . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVS93POgQA8
Seligman, L. & Reichenberg, L. (2014). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Systems, strategies, and skills. (4th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Counselling Directory. (2014). Existential therapy. Retrieved from http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/existential-therapy.html.
Frick, William. (1987). The symbolic growth experience: Paradigm for a humanistic-existential learning theory. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 27, 406-423. Abstract retrieved from http://jhp.sagepub.com/content/27/4/406.abstract.
PsychotherapyNet. (April 1, 2009). Existential-humanistic psychotherapy with James Burgental . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVS93POgQA8
Seligman, L. & Reichenberg, L. (2014). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Systems, strategies, and skills. (4th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.