Existential Therapy is a philosophy that believes one has to experience the good and the bad so they can grow from these experiences. All begin free to do with what they want with their lives, but with that freedom comes responsibility for one's own actions and decisions they make. Suffering is thought to mold our lives so we would understand the meaning of why we exist and to respect that we are mortal.
Key Figures in Contemporary Exisential Psycotherapy are philosophers Frankel, May, Yalom, and Bugental. Each developed their own theory of this type of therapy and based it upon their earlier learning's from existentialist and humanistic approaches.
Frankel (1905-1997) who was influenced by Freud and a student of Alder developed logotherapy which means "therapy through meaning". Frankel thought that all lives have a meaning whether good or bad. All human beings have a will to think and live, but not all live to their full potential and live life to the fullest.
May (1909-1994)was also influenced by the teachings of Freud and Alder. He was recognized for bringing existential to the United States from Europe. May believed it takes courage to "be" and the choices a person decides to make molds a person for who they are in the world. Humans constantly battle within themselves. Growing and learning is not an easy process in life. Life comes with painful grow spurts.
Yalom (1931- ) is a therapist that lives here in the U.S. He acknowledges Frankel and others such as Kierkegaard for his creative anxiety and fear, Nietzsche for death and suicide, Heidegger for being caring and authentic, Sartre for responsibilities and choices, and lastly Buber for his thoughts on interpersonal relationships. He focuses on "givens of existence" themes such as isolation and relationships, death and living, and meaninglessness and meaning. Yalom believes that how we handle these issues are how are lives become. We are the product of our responses and actions.
Key Concepts
- Existential therapy does not use techniques but rather on experience and understanding of what it is to live and be a human.
- Understanding the limits and possibilities of life.
- Facing loneliness and anxiety
- Grow with the good and bad circumstances of life
Basic Dimensions of Human Condition
- Self- Awareness: To be aware our our freedom and possibilities in life
- Freedom and Responsibility: Humans are free to make their own choices and these choices shape one's life.
- Striving for Identity: Be unique and reach beyond themselves. Having an unique identity in the world takes courage.
- The Search for Meaning: Having a purpose or significance in life why someone exists. What is their value to exist?
- Anxiety as a Condition of Living: Learning the realities of life such as death, pain and suffering, and surviving leads to anxieties. The freedom has consequences that we all will face.
- Awareness of Death and Non-being: Death is seen as a part of living. Facing mortality and being at peace with whats to come. Death leads us to appreciating our surroundings and friendships.
Goal of Existential Therapy
Therapist strive for clients to live their lives to their fullest potential and to strive for beyond what they are capable of.
Techniques
Existential Therapy does not use techniques, but uses a subjective view of the client's world. The intervention sessions are guided with feelings and attitudes throughout the therapy.
Links and References
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=active&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1440&bih=719&q=existential+therapy
http://www.existential-therapy.com/key-figures.htm
www.cengage.com/brookscole
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