what is Existential therapy based on?
the philosophy of existentialsim of the 19th century
who were the three main influences of existential therapy?
Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, Irvin Yalom
what is Viktor Frankl’s background?
- Jewish holocaust survivor
- psychiatrist
- neurologist
- created own brand of existential therapy called logo therapy
- meaning and will power oriented rather than reflective approach of others
what are does existential therapy focus on?
Focus on concerns rooted in our human existence. client focused on how to find strengths in how to deal with problems in life
what kind of approach the existential therapy take?
A Phenomenological approach that takes cognizance of both good and evil
what is the idea of Existential Therapy?
• Idea that we are in existence and recognition that we will die eventually and the idea of this is that we do the best that we can for our lives. Guidance should come within the person.
what is the basic philosophy of existential therapy?
Exploration of the reality of existence; the problems “of life” not the problems “in life”
what are the areas to explore in existential therpay?
Umwelt - understanding existence in relation to the physical world
mitwelt - understanding existence in relation to the self
define existential dimensions?
Existential dimensions arise out of the development of self-awareness of the realities inherent in the finite drama of our existence, in a turbulent and unpredicted universe
what are the existential dimensions?
- The individual is the author of their own life
- Freedom without responsibility is chaos
- Responsibility without freedom is tyranny and autocracy
- The freedom to choose creates existential guilt
- The question is: how do I follow my life authentically and take responsibility
- Client examines his/her own social and cultural conditioning – finds own inner truth – makes authentic choices
- Self determination in life – committing to inner vales and acting accordingly
how does one search for meaning in existence?
- Create an discover meaning within own existence through commitment
- Discover own integral valuing system
what does searning for meaning in existence allow?
allows one:
• To live purposefully an find and follow own direction in life
• To make the best out of a given situation “tragic optimism”
• To deal with a sense o Anxiety that is normal to humanity
what is existential anxiety?
a sense of dis-ease. takes away the illusion of security
what are the challenges that anxiety brings?
- Challenges us with living with ambiguity and uncertainty of life
- Challenges the person to grown and take action
- Challenges person to take responsibility and living purposefully and fully
what is self awareness?
- Awareness of alternatives and choice
* Discovery of self separate and yet very connected
when one has strong self awareness, what are their abilities?
- Ability to observe and boundaries
- Ability to affirm and validate difference
- Ability to relate to others out of a sense of wholeness and not need or adaptation or deprivation
- Ability to live in the present
- Ability to observe own actions and take responsibility
how does one search for identity?
- We are basically ultimately alone
- Building a good relationship to one-self
- Validate aloneness (not loneliness)
- Acceptance of mortality – life is finite
- Ability to distinguish between attachment out of deprivation and mutually affirming relationships
what is finiteness?
life - death will eventually happen
what is the acceptance of finiteness?
- life as a journey
- Acceptance of mortality
- Making the most out of the space between birth and death – applying oneself to this journey
- Living every day fully and taking responsibility
what does phenomenoogical approach mean?
client’s experience is taken as their own unique reality
what are the characteristics of an existential therapist
- Therapist is very real and authentic
- Therapist works in the here and now with the client
- Therapist is a guide and often self discloses own experiences in order to model how to deal with situations in new ways
what are the three phases of existential therapy?
- Exploration of client’s world view with reference to the reality of being
- Examining and restructuring value systems in relation to the Existential Dimensions
- Transferring new learning to enable client to better manage the problems in life. internalising values create new actions and meaning
what are the additional phases/processes of existential therapy?
o Openness to creativity in therapeutic encounter
o therapist self disclosure about process and/or therapist’s own existential struggles
o Dream analysis – evidence of issues around existential dimensions
o Guided fantasy – reflecting on one’s death – with view of life (Epitaph)
what are the therapeutic elements to existential therapy
- Therapist encourages client to take part in activities to be active n implementing change (try out new things like sport, art, etc)
- Therapist challenges resistance as a way to grow
- Client needs to take responsibility in order to find new meaning (roadblocks like old fears are looked at – then actions taken)
- Therapist – client relationship is important
- Client is encouraged to is not dependant
