Existential psychotherapy (“talk” therapy) is all about free will and the literal search for meaning behind life. However, to go into detail, one needs to discuss the whole thing comprehensively. That is exactly what we are going to discuss in the words below, so you can know everything about existential therapy and how you can take advantage of it.
What is Existential Psychotherapy?
Derived from the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and Soren Kierkegaard, where the central philosophical object is the human being and everything stems from them, even their problems. This line of subject is essentially called existentialism. This line of thought points to:
- People can be self-aware
- Each individual has a unique identity and it can be reflected in the relationships that the individual keeps
- Anxiety is an important component of the human condition
- Individuals have to reinvent themselves in order to adjust to their constantly changing environment
It is also grounded in the thinking that revolves around philosophical “givens”(1). These are:
- Freedom, due to which individuals are free to choose whichever path they decide to take
- Isolations, which means all of us are ultimately alone. Alone we came and alone we’ll go!
- Meaninglessness, as there is no meaning in life
- Last and the most important one, we will never be able to escape death.
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Use Of Existential Psychotherapy In The Modern World
The use of existential psychotherapy in contemporary times has been to psychoanalyze and treat psychological concerns that might be ticking affected users. These concerns are often the result of unresolved negativity stemming from their inability to regulate their self-directed choices and decisions that are authentic and meaningful(2).
The main job of existentialism psychotherapists is to alleviate symptoms such as nihilism, avoidance, shame, anger, apathy, guilt, rage, or resentment(2), all of which boil toward a breaking point if left unfettered and untreated. They do this by focusing on an affected individual’s relationships, spirituality, commitment, presence, actualization, authenticity, acceptance, and transcendence. All of these can provide a tether or anchor to life or at least a realization of mindfulness, which in turn helps alleviate symptoms that had been a cause of concern.
In the field of psychotherapy, existential psychotherapy is defined by the strong pillar that each person is free to make choices and find meaning in their life, even if the human condition seems to be meaningless, temporary, and lonely(3).
It essentially defines these human conditions as “normal” states are neither “good” or “bad” and the drivers of these conditions are the choices we make as “humans”. Life’s higher purpose can be achieved and achievable and realistic goals can be set by putting the responsibility of the choice you make in your domain.
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The Different Approaches To Existential Therapy
Many experts in the domain essentially consider existential therapy as something of an approach to traditional therapy rather than something else entirely. They treat patients in this kind of therapy as fellow passengers en route to the search for the meaning of life. This is why certain principles(3) are to be followed, which could be considered akin to mapping out a destination from point A to point B.
- Mindfulness: Living in the present should not be underestimated. This helps us avoid the scarring of the past and anxiety about the future.
- Interactivity and open dialogue: Keeping the two-way street open for communication is the way to start a conversation and find resolutions for treating mental conditions.
- Avoiding dismissive behavior: Experts treat patients as equals rather than treating them as something they are working on.
- Exploration and letting creativity flow: Subjects are always given choices in existential theory counseling to find out where these choices might take them.
- Not fearing change: Adjusting to change is one of the best features and one-of-a-kind existential therapy techniques as it allows us to embrace it.
- Affirm, not label: Labeling an experience as “good” or “bad” will not do anything for an existential therapy treatment plan, as these can help make choices examinable, so new choices could be made.
- Asking larger-than-life questions: Philosophical questioning is another feature that contributes to finding the real meaning of life behind it all and the shared beliefs about it.
- Recontextualization: It helps when your choices are contextualized in terms of your relationships, society, and the world at large.
While there is no steadfast rule on how existential psychotherapy or the aforementioned techniques of existential therapy should be done, there are a couple of basics. It should be goal-oriented with sessions lasting about 30 to 45 minutes at least once or twice a week(4).
The Benefits of Existential Therapy
The benefits are tremendous. Apart from letting you achieve mindfulness and alleviation from all sorts of mental symptoms, it can help specifically treat mental conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, chronic pain, and even bereavement(3). This way you can find out where your place is in this world and how your choices brought you to that crossroads. But keep in mind, existential psychotherapy cannot help with extreme conditions like schizophrenia, psychosis, eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, or even a chronic anxiety disorder, while not disregarding the positive effects and essentially by proxy, the benefits of existential therapy.
Existential Therapy Treatment Plan Epilogue
If something related to an existential therapy treatment plan is not working, there are more goal-oriented psychotherapies available. This can especially be the case if the beliefs and principles surrounding the existential theory, existentialism therapy, or even existential counseling, are not matching with your belief systems or principles. This could especially be the case if you are searching for self-awareness rather than self-worth. To circumvent that, you can use:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that is short-term and goal-oriented and focuses on identifying and changing thought and behavior patterns that are unhealthy and replacing them with effective ones that help the expert provide resolutions to the affected individuals.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Another one of the psychotherapy subtypes, DBT is all about regulating the extreme emotions attached to mental conditions like borderline personality disorder, or something like PTSD.
Interpersonal Therapy
If you think family conflicts or interpersonal relationships are the origins of your negative mental conditioning, then this type of therapy is more suitable.
Psychodynamic Therapy
If you think your and your loved one’s problematic behavior stems from past traumas and experiences, then this type of therapy rather than existential psychotherapy, can help bring negative patterns related to this type of behavior upfront, from the subconscious to consciousness.
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Summary
Existentialism psychotherapy is based on the strand of philosophy called existentialism. But it is who can tell if existential therapy interventions are suitable for you, especially when compared to other types of therapies that are available. But do remember that it is a kind of talk therapy that brings mindfulness and open dialogue into the mix to help you understand how the choices you make directly influence changes in your life. It might be extremely beneficial for you. If you are still keen on using the other types, for the reasons described above, our experts at Inland Empire Behavioral Group can help with that as they are able to provide the usual methods of psychotherapy or alternative methods such as psychiatric medication management or telehealth psychiatry.
References and Footnotes
- Crowell S. Existentialism. In: The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. San Jose, CA: Stanford University Press; 2020.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism/ - https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/therapy-types/existential-therapy
- Heidenreich T, Noyon A, Worrell M, Menzies R. Existential approaches and cognitive behavior therapy: challenges and potential. Int J Cogn Ther. 2021;14(1):209-234. doi:10.1007/s41811-020-00096-1
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33425123/ - Feizi M, Kamali Z, Gholami M, Abadi BAGH, Moeini S. The effectiveness of existential psychotherapy on attitude to life and self-flourishing of educated women homemakers. J Educ Health Promot. 2019;8:237. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_473_18
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31867401/
