What were the ideas that created existentialism?
It was after post war times when people were suffering and questioning purpose of life. The decline in religion and uprise in civil rights opened chances for freedom and questions about how people could live in the world
Who where the main contributors of existentialism?
Viktor Frankl and Irvin Yalom
What does existentialism say about people?
Humans are in a constant state of transition and evolving and don’t have a fixed existence or personality. Being human means discovering and making sense of our existence, continuously questioning ourselves, others and the world.
What are the 3 worlds according to existentialism?
- Umwelt (physical world): we are beings bound by nature, biology and psychical reality
- Mitwelt (social world): our relationships, community and culture help shape us
- Eigenwelt (inner world): how we reflect on own self
What does existentialism believe about where problems come from?
Problems are universal realities we all face and when they are avoided/denied it creates conflict and distress. They arise when people lose connection to their authentic self or avoid confronting the fundamental anxieties of being human — meaninglessness, mortality, freedom, and isolation
How does existentialism support change?
The goal is to help clients create worthy and meaningful existence through freedom and responsibility. Does this by
1. Guiding clients to face and not avoid existential anxiety
2. Support them to move towards authenticity to living deliberately and choosing their own values.
3. Encourages self-awareness + reclaiming their lives by teaching them to listen to what they know about themselves
What is the I-Thou relationship?
Relating to people as authentic beings without judgement, qualification or objection. “I meet you as you are, and you meet meet as who I am”.
What techniques are used for existentialism?
Not technique orientated, integrates techniques from other models (e.g. transference or resistance) within the context to understand the subjective world of the client. Believes that approach is best achieved when using I-Thou relationship.
