An Introduction to the Existential Therapy

Key Concepts of Existential Therapy

Some of the primary concepts that set Existential-Humanistic therapeutic approaches apart from other styles are a client-centered focal point, the idea that people can change, and a belief that having a sense of purpose is critical to a person’s life. Within that umbrella are three major application styles: existential, Gestalt, and person-centered therapies. Regarding the average time of investment needed, such methods fall in the middle of the spectrum: longer than cognitive-behavioral styles and shorter than psychodynamic styles (Neukrug & Hays, 2022). Additionally, there is significantly less focus on early childhood experiences than seen in psychodynamic approaches. This paper will focus specifically on the existential framework. Additionally, Victor Frankl, a vital influencer in existential therapy, will also be discussed.

Victor Frankl, an Auschwitz survivor, was a pioneer and significant contributor to the existential-style approach to therapy. During his time in the concentration camp, he saw that having a sense of meaning, no matter how small or grave the circumstances, had a significant impact on a person’s ability to survive. When he saw a loss of meaning, death soon followed. It seemed ‘hope’ was an essential component of the human psyche. Frankl survived the concentration camp and went on to found Logotherapy, in large part based on this concept of meaning. According to Frankl, meaning “came from a will to take responsibility for oneself and to choose to live a life of dignity with purpose, despite one’s predicament” (Neukrug & Hays, 2022, p. 127). This emphasis on developing meaning for oneself is essential because existential therapy grows from the foundational belief that people are born into a world void of purpose and inherent meaning (Neukrug & Hays, 2022). One of the key benchmarks of success in therapy is shifting a patient experiencing neurotic anxiety into existential anxiety, the more natural anxiety of being aware of a person’s isolation, life’s inherent lack of meaning, and unavoidable eventual death (Neukrug & Hays, 2022). From there, they can learn to choose their own attitudes and sense of meaning and be more broadly intentional about their choices.

Real-Life Applications

Existential therapy’s primary focal point in practice centers around the therapist-patient relationship rather than abiding by specific ‘techniques.’ However, many therapists approach the therapy from particular styles; among those are providing education about existential therapy, forming an authentic therapeutic relationship, and gently challenging the patient on decisions they have made related to meaning in their lives (Neukrug & Hays, 2022). If I were working with a patient in an existential-style therapeutic setting, I might ask questions like: In what areas of your life do you feel more satisfied? Where do you dodge responsibility? In what ways would you like to change your life? I would encourage the patient to examine facets of their lives that lack meaning so they can find new ways to create meaning for themselves.

I was moved by the emphasis on developing your own sense of meaning in life that is inherent in existential therapy. I’ve often pondered the more philosophical questions about the meaning of life, and I can relate to the idea that we are born into a world that lacks meaning (or, at least, a common consensus across humanity as to what that meaning is, has not yet been formed) and, therefore, need to create meaning for ourselves. I’m particularly drawn to Frankl’s experiences around meaning during his time in the concentration camp. I think humanity can learn a lot from his insights on the impact of purpose on one’s overall well-being. I plan to incorporate elements of existential therapy in my future therapeutic endeavors and in my own life.

References

Neukrug & Hays, E., & Hays, D. G. (2022). Existential Therapy. In Counseling theory and practice (3rd ed., pp. 124–154).

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