Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionTechniquesBenefitsLimitationsOther Options
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Techniques
Benefits
Limitations
Other Options
Existential therapy is a type of psychotherapy (talk therapy) that encourages people to use their free will to create meaning and purpose in life if they feel lost, hopeless, or alienated. It can help someone with depression, anxiety disorders, or substance addiction understand how their personal choices influence their future.
Existential therapy is based on existentialism, a philosophy in which life is considered “meaningless” and meaning can only be found through one’s own choices.It reinforces the belief that each person has a personal responsibility for their behaviors.
This article explains how existential therapy works, who it can help, and the limitations of the practice. It also offers insights into other forms of talk therapy you may pursue.
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What Is Existential Therapy?
Existential therapy is based on existentialism, a philosophical theory that characterizes individuals as free and responsible agents who influence the course of their lives through acts of will.
As a philosophy, existentialism is grounded on the acceptance of four “givens,” namely:
In psychotherapy, existential therapy is founded on the belief that each person has the free will to make choices and find meaning in their life, even if the human condition seems lonely, meaningless, and temporary.
It reframes experiences like loneliness, anxiety, and hopelessness as neither “good” nor “bad” but as states of the human condition. Personal choice, therefore, becomes the one factor that can change these conditions.
By placing the responsibility for change in your own domain, you can identify what you believe to be your life’s purpose and set goals to achieve a higher degree of meaning and purpose.
Existentialism vs. HumanismExistentialism differs slightly from humanism in that humanists characterize people as inherently good. By contrast, existentialists view people as neither inherently bad nor good.
Existentialism vs. Humanism
Existentialism differs slightly from humanism in that humanists characterize people as inherently good. By contrast, existentialists view people as neither inherently bad nor good.
Existential Therapy Techniques
Many existential therapists do not regard the practice as a particular method of psychotherapy. Instead, they treat it as a way of approaching therapy. Rather than labeling someone a “patient,” they may regard both parties as “fellow travelers” in search of authentic meaning.
Certain principles that drive the practice of existential therapy:
While there are no rules as to how long a person needs existential therapy, the practice is goal-oriented. As with other forms of talk therapy, each session typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes and is scheduled once weekly.
Examples of Existential QuestionsAs one of the facets of existential therapy, philosophical questions allow you to ask yourself:Why am I here?Is this all there is?What can we make of suffering?Am I all alone or part of a larger whole?What do I value in life?What is my true nature?Do I have a greater purpose?
Examples of Existential Questions
As one of the facets of existential therapy, philosophical questions allow you to ask yourself:Why am I here?Is this all there is?What can we make of suffering?Am I all alone or part of a larger whole?What do I value in life?What is my true nature?Do I have a greater purpose?
As one of the facets of existential therapy, philosophical questions allow you to ask yourself:
Benefits of Existential Therapy
Existential therapy can help anyone who wants to understand how they fit into the world and what makes them feel fulfilled. It can help you figure out how your choices lead to specific outcomes so that you can make better choices.
Existential therapy can be used for people facing many different challenges, including:
Existential therapy is not only intended for people with extreme issues. It may be just as useful for someone who finds themselves at a crossroads and needs guidance to find new goals and meaning in their life.
Professional Qualifications
Limitations of Existential Therapy
Existential therapy may not be appropriate for people with conditions likeschizophreniaordementiawho need specific primary forms for treatment. The same applies to those whose ability to reason may be impaired, such as someone in anacute manic phaseofbipolar disorderor who has major depression withpsychotic features.
Existentialism and God
Existential therapy is founded on a tenet of free will, including the freedom to explore spirituality. In practice, however, the process of decision-making does not involve a “higher power” as it might with programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.
That’s not to say that existentialism and a belief in a higher power cannot co-exist; there are, in fact, Christian existential therapists who straddle existentialism and God.
In the end, what is most important is identifying your belief system and being able to speak openly and honestly with any therapist you choose to work with.
Existential therapy may be ideal for people who feel alienated or lost and can see no clear route to changing their lives and giving them meaning.
But if the principles of existentialism do not align with your personal beliefs, or you are searching for self-awareness rather the self-worth, other therapies may be more appropriate, including:
Summary
Existential therapy is based on the philosophy of existentialism, which states that people can use their free will to create meaning for themselves. It is a form of talk therapy that incorporates mindfulness and open dialogue to help you understand how the choices you make directly influence changes in your life.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.New School of Psychotherapy and Counseling.What is the existential approach?Crowell S.Existentialism. In:The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.San Jose, CA: Stanford University Press; 2020.Heidenreich T, Noyon A, Worrell M, Menzies R.Existential approaches and cognitive behavior therapy: challenges and potential.Int J Cogn Ther. 2021;14(1):209-234. doi:10.1007/s41811-020-00096-1Feizi M, Kamali Z, Gholami M, Abadi BAGH, Moeini S.The effectiveness of existential psychotherapy on attitude to life and self-flourishing of educated women homemakers.J Educ Health Promot. 2019;8:237. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_473_18American Psychiatric Association.What is psychotherapy?
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.New School of Psychotherapy and Counseling.What is the existential approach?Crowell S.Existentialism. In:The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.San Jose, CA: Stanford University Press; 2020.Heidenreich T, Noyon A, Worrell M, Menzies R.Existential approaches and cognitive behavior therapy: challenges and potential.Int J Cogn Ther. 2021;14(1):209-234. doi:10.1007/s41811-020-00096-1Feizi M, Kamali Z, Gholami M, Abadi BAGH, Moeini S.The effectiveness of existential psychotherapy on attitude to life and self-flourishing of educated women homemakers.J Educ Health Promot. 2019;8:237. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_473_18American Psychiatric Association.What is psychotherapy?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
New School of Psychotherapy and Counseling.What is the existential approach?Crowell S.Existentialism. In:The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.San Jose, CA: Stanford University Press; 2020.Heidenreich T, Noyon A, Worrell M, Menzies R.Existential approaches and cognitive behavior therapy: challenges and potential.Int J Cogn Ther. 2021;14(1):209-234. doi:10.1007/s41811-020-00096-1Feizi M, Kamali Z, Gholami M, Abadi BAGH, Moeini S.The effectiveness of existential psychotherapy on attitude to life and self-flourishing of educated women homemakers.J Educ Health Promot. 2019;8:237. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_473_18American Psychiatric Association.What is psychotherapy?
New School of Psychotherapy and Counseling.What is the existential approach?
Crowell S.Existentialism. In:The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.San Jose, CA: Stanford University Press; 2020.
Heidenreich T, Noyon A, Worrell M, Menzies R.Existential approaches and cognitive behavior therapy: challenges and potential.Int J Cogn Ther. 2021;14(1):209-234. doi:10.1007/s41811-020-00096-1
Feizi M, Kamali Z, Gholami M, Abadi BAGH, Moeini S.The effectiveness of existential psychotherapy on attitude to life and self-flourishing of educated women homemakers.J Educ Health Promot. 2019;8:237. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_473_18
American Psychiatric Association.What is psychotherapy?
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