Existential Therapy
An existential therapist works with how you position yourself in the world and how you view the world and those around you
What is Existential Psychotherapy?
Strictly speaking, existential Psychotherapy and counselling is more akin to an approach to the therapeutic work (and to life) rather than a type of therapy. However, this does in no way to minimise the importance and benefits of an existentially orientated psychotherapy.
One way of thinking about existential psychotherapy is to see it as a philosophical stance, rather than a rigid framework within which the clinician works. As such it rejects the deterministic view of human nature found in more traditional psychoanalysis and the behaviour school approach. Existential psychotherapy concerns itself with the problems if existing, or living and sees clients’ suffering as their inability to accept life as it really is rather than that their symptoms are manifestations of mental illness.
In existential psychotherapy, the clinician works with the client to help them to find purpose and meaning in their lives and through the therapeutic alliance works with the client to live a more ‘authentic’ life. In existential therapy, it is through the therapeutic relationship that ‘inauthentic’ ways of being in the world come to light. Put more simply, it is within the therapy that the client finds safety and trust to explore the myriad of ways that they hide from themselves and others; how they avoid the realities of life. Whilst these realities can be hard to accept, it is only through embracing them that clients can find authentic – meaningful and purposeful – way of living their lives.
And, it is through the courage of accepting life as it is and embracing ones limitations that many clients find their suffering and symptoms disappear; what in other types of therapy may be termed symptoms, or mental health problems.
Benefits of Existential Psychotherapy
In the existential approach, both counsellors and psychotherapists seek to come alongside the client as human beings. What this means is that they seek to understand the client’s subjective experience of the world and their place in it. If all neuroses and psychoses are fundamentally solutions to the problem of life and how to find meaning, then the dilemma is one faced by us all, the psychotherapist included.
Existential psychotherapy seeks to help clients find more constructive ways of creating meaning and alleviating their suffering. For example, existential psychotherapy can be particularly useful in helping former addicts construct more meaningful and multi-faceted lives where they can bear their distress and seek a wider range of healthy relationships and behaviours in lieu of their behaviour or drug of choice.
In the modern world where prescribed meaning is increasingly absent – religion, family, career – the existential approach can be extremely helpful in grounding clients and enabling them to firstly recognise the ordinariness of their humanity – all human beings must find purpose and meaning. Secondly, the therapeutic relationship can be a vital collaboration helping clients to work out what will enable them to feel fulfilled and that they have meaning.
In essence, existential psychotherapy is about finding meaning in a world increasingly devoid of meaning. A life lived without substantial meaning causes suffering often experienced as anxiety and depression.
What Happens During Existential Therapy?
Existential therapy is a collaboration between the therapist and client where the therapist helps the client to explore the meaning and purpose of their life. This may involve examining their values, beliefs and goals as well as their relationships and sense of identity. Existential psychotherapy is premised on an enquiry into what makes your life meaningful.
The First Meeting
The purpose of the initial meeting is to determine whether you and your therapist are a good fit for each other. It’s a time to discuss why you’re there, what you hope to gain from the process and your background. It’s also a time for you to ask as many questions as you feel necessary to make your decision to continue.
This first meeting is important for your therapist to better understand you so they can tailor their approach to your specific needs.
Confidentiality in Existential Therapy
Confidentiality is important in any part of therapy. It’s important you feel comfortable sharing personal and often sensitive information with your therapist knowing they will keep this information private.
Your therapist will explain their approach to confidentiality and outline what is expected of you and what you can expect from them. In general, everything discussed in your sessions is confidential, unless there are rare instances when there is a need to break confidentiality. For example, if you are at risk to yourself or others.
The Frame
The Frame in therapy refers to the physical and contractual boundaries that create a safe and structured environment for the therapeutic process. This includes the length, frequency, and overall structure of the sessions and the process.
Your therapist will work with you to establish a framework that feels safe and supportive, whilst focused on achieving the goals you have set out in coming to therapy.
Ongoing Sessions
Existential therapy can be conducted over a period of weeks, months, or even years depending on the needs of the individual and whether you, as the client, continue to find the work and the process useful. Ongoing sessions are designed to provide ongoing support and guidance as you explore your inner world. Many of our clients, once getting into the flow of therapy, enjoy the intimate relationship and opportunities to make deep changes to their life.
Existential Psychotherapy is offered by Mark Vahrmeyer, Dr Simon Cassar, Susanna Petitpierre and David Keighley.
If you are unsure of the type of therapy you need, you can search for a therapist here.
