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Existential Approach to
Psychotherapy
Presented by: Lindsay Birchall, Elysa Christy
Assisted by: Sarah Juchnowski, Amanda Medland
EDPS 602
September 29, 2014

Presentation Agenda

Theoretical Background
Thinkers in Philosophy & Psychology
Basic Concepts
Goals of Therapy
Therapeutic Process & Mechanisms
Therapeutic Relationship
Appeal and Limitations

Theoretical Background

Philosophical approach that guides therapy

Response to horrors of WWII in Europe
Existence precedes essence
How we live our lives determines who we are

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Analytic

Empiricism

Psychoanalytic

Rationalism

Constructivist

Existential
Objective

Subjective

Collectivism

Humanism

Experiential
Adopted from Truscott (2010)

Philosophical Thinkers
Sren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)
Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)
o Being and Time (1927)

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980)

o Being and Nothingness (1943)
http://www.joannabarnum.co
m

Psychological Thinkers

Ludwig Binswanger (1881-1966)

Erich Fromm (1900-1980)
Rollo May (1909-1994)
Irvin Yalom (1931-)

Basic Concepts
Four conflicts inherent to existence:
Life vs. death (physical realm)
Freedom vs. responsibility (personal realm)
Belonging vs. isolation (social realm)
Meaning vs. meaninglessness (spiritual realm)
These conflicts give rise to inauthentic living
Experience of Conflict

Anxiety

Defense Mechanism

Goals of Therapy
To assist client in:
o accepting the conflicts
inherent in human existence
o creating his or her own
meaning
o taking responsibility,
increasing agency, and living
authentically

Therapeutic Process
Nontechnique
Series of processes
Authenticity (Central)
Self Awareness
Taking Responsibility

Inauthenticity

Engagement

Existential Guilt

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Therapeutic Mechanisms
Dialogue:Conversation
Fundamental aspects of
humanity
Therapists-intense life
experience
Crisis and distress
Therapists own therapeutic
process

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Existential Questions?

Who am I?
Why am I here?
Is life worth living?
What does life mean?
Does it have meaning?
How can I realize my humanity?
What is my purpose in life?
What will happen when I die?
How can I find Love?

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Therapeutic Relationship
Relationship Focused
I-Thou not it
Emotionally present, available
Actively engaged
Experiences clients fears,
hopes, insecurities
Genuine authenticity and
awareness

Brutally Honest
Challenging
Sincere
Respectful

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Evolutions and Variations

Existential
Psychotherapy
Logotherapy
Existential
Humanistic Therapy

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Appeal

Intellectual/Philosophical
Link to Spirituality
Trauma
Authenticity
Combined with other therapies
Relationship Based
School Psychologists?

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Limitations

Way of thinking - no manual

Authenticity - Trauma clients?
Therapist-intense life experience
Theories dehumanize people
School Psychologists?
Students?
Personal abilities (e.g. language)

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Existential Psychotherapy Concept Map

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Resources:
Corsini, R.J. & Wedding, D. (2014). Current psychotherapies (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
McLeod, J. (2009). An Introduction to Counselling (4th ed.). Berkshire England: McGraw Hill, Open
University Press.
Nelson-Jones, R. (2011). Theory and Practice of Counselling and Therapy (5th ed.). London: Sage
Publications.
Sartre, J-P. (1965). Essays in Existentialism. New York, NY: Citadel Press.
Priest, S. (2001). Jean-Paul Sartre: Basic Writings. New York, NY: Routledge.
Truscott, D. (2010). Becoming an effective psychotherapist: Adopting a theory of psychotherapy
thats right for you and your client. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

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