Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy Chapter6: Existential Therapy

Questions? What key concepts do you know in terms of existential therapy? What is the meaning or purpose of your life? What do you want from life? Where is the source of meaning for you in life? How do you work through a sense of “no self” and feeling alone? What are the possible reasons that people tend to blame others for their problems? What is the positive motivation of being anxious? If you only have 30 days left, what’s your feelings? What will you do?

Question What key concepts do you know in terms of existential therapy?

Existential Therapy A Philosophical/Intellectual Approach to Therapy View of Human Nature The capacity for self-awareness The tension between freedom & responsibility The creation of an identity & establishing meaningful relationships The search for meaning, purpose, and values of life Accepting anxiety as a condition of living The awareness of death and nonbeing

The Capacity for Self-Awareness We can reflect and make choices because we are capable of self-awareness. Expanding our awareness in realizing that: We are finite - time is limited We have the potential, the choice, to act or not to act Meaning is not automatic - we must seek it We are subject to loneliness, meaninglessness, emptiness, guilt, and isolation

Question What are the possible reasons that people tend to blame others for their problems?

Freedom and Responsibility We are free to choose among alternatives We are responsible for our lives, for our action, and for our failure to take action. Blaming others for their problems--- Recognize how they allowed others to decide for them and the price they pay Encourage them to consider the alternative options

Striving for Identity Identity is “the courage to be” We must trust ourselves to search within and find our own answers Our great fear is that we will discover that there is no core, no self Struggling with our identity: Challenging clients---in what ways that they have lost touch with they identity and letting others to design their life.

Question? How do you work through a sense of “no self” and feeling alone?

Relationship to others Aloneness We are alone---So, we must give a sense of meaning to life, decide how we will live, have a relationship with ourselves, and learn to listen to ourselves. Relatedness We need to create a close relationship with others Challenging clients----What they get from they relationship? How they avoid close relationship?

Question What is the meaning or purpose of your life? What do you want from life? Where is the source of meaning for you in life?

The Search for Meaning Therapists trust is important in teaching clients to trust their own capacity to find their way of being. Meaninglessness in life leads to emptiness and hollowness (existential vacuum) Finding meaning in life is a by-product of engagement, which is a commitment to creating, loving, working, and building.

Question What is the positive motivation of being anxious?

Anxiety – A Condition of Living Anxiety arises from one’s strivings to survive. Existential anxiety is normal an outcome of being confronted with the four given of existence: death, freedom, existential isolation, and meaninglessness. Recognize existential anxiety and find ways to deal with it constructively. Anxiety can be a stimulus for growth as we become aware of and accept our freedom If we have the courage to face ourselves and life we may be frightened, but we will be able to change

Question If you only have 30 days left, what’s your feelings? What will you do?

Awareness of Death Death provides the motivation for us to live our lives fully and take advantage of each opportunity to do something meaningful.

Therapeutic Goals To expand self-awareness To increase potential choices To help client accept the responsibility for their choice To help the client experience authentic existence

Therapist’s Function and Role Understand the client’s subjective world Encourage clients to accept personal responsibility When clients blame others, therapist is likely to ask them how they contributed to their situation.

Client’s Experience in Therapy They are challenged to take responsibility for how they now choose to be, decide how they want to be different, and take actions. Major themes in therapy sessions are anxiety, freedom and responsibility, isolation, death, and the search for meaning. Assist client in facing life with courage, hope, and a willingness to find meaning in life.

Relationship Between Therapist and Client Therapy is a journey taken by therapist and client The person-to-person relationship is key The relationship demands that therapists be in contact with their own world The core of the therapeutic relationship Respect and faith in the clients’ potential to cope and discover alternative ways of being Therapists share their reactions to clients with genuine concern and empathy as one way of deepening the therapeutic relationship.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures It is not technique-oriented The interventions are based on philosophical views about the nature of human existence. Free for draw techniques from other orientations The use of therapist self is the core of therapy

Questions Which populations is existential therapy particularly useful? Which issues is existential therapy particularly useful?

Areas of Application Grief work, facing a significant decision, developmental crisis, coping with failures in marriage and work, dealing with physical limitations due to age……

From a multicultural perspective Contributions Applicable to diverse clients to search for meaning for life Be able to examine the behavior is influenced by social and cultural factors. Help clients to weigh the alternatives and consequences. Change external environment and recognize how they contribute

From a multicultural perspective Limitations Excessively individualistic Ignore social factors that cause human problems Even if clients change internally, they see little hope the external realities of racism or discrimination will change For many cultures, it is not possible to talk about self and self-determination apart from the context of the social network Many clients expect a structured and problem-oriented approach instead of discussion of philosophical questions.

Summary and Evaluation Contributions Stress self-determination accepting the personal responsibility along with freedom View oneself as the author of one’s life Understand the value of anxiety and guilty, the positive meaning of death, the positive aspects of being alone and choosing for oneself Enable clients to examine how their behavior is being influenced by social and cultural conditioning.

Summary and Evaluation Limitations Lacks of a systemic principles and practice for therapy No empirical research validation yet Limited to apply to lower-functioning clients, clients who need directions, are concerned about meeting basic needs, and lack of verbal skills

Case 1 I find myself terrified when I am alone. I need people around me constantly, and if I’m forced to be alone, then I run from myself by watching TV. I’d like to learn how to be alone and feel comfortable about it. What are the issues? What can you do to help this client?

Case 2 I feel like my existence does not matter to anyone. If I were to die today, I fully believe that it wouldn’t make a difference to anyone. What are the issues? What can you do to help this client?

Case 3 I rarely feel close to another person. While I want this closeness, I am frightened of being rejected. Instead of letting anyone get close to me, I build walls that keep them removed. What can I do to lessen my fear of being rejected? What are the issues? What can you do to help this client?

Questions Please discuss at least three questions to ask speakers regarding the career issues in social work, private practice, counseling, and family and marriage?