The History of Existential Therapy
Existential therapy is actually one of the oldest forms of therapy and derives from the philosophy of existentialism. The nineteenth-century philosophers Friedrich Nietzsche and Soren Kierkegaard are widely credited with developing this branch of philosophy. Kierkegaard theorised that human discontent could be overcome with internal wisdom; Nietzsche introduced the idea of free will and personal responsibility. Further scholars developed these themes and gradually massaged them into a form of therapy.
Foundations of Existential Therapy
Existential therapy focuses on free will, self-determination and the search for meaning. It assumes that at some point human beings will come into confrontation with four ‘givens’:
- Freedom and associated responsibility
- Death
- Isolation
- Meaninglessness
This confrontation will naturally result in a form of anxiety or dread which is thought to reduce a person’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual awareness.
Existential therapy stresses that:
- We are responsible for our own choices
- We have the capacity for self-awareness
- People must continually recreate themselves as life’s meaning changes
- Anxiety is a natural feature of human life
In essence, existential therapy can help people take control of their lives, face their fears, and allow them to feel a sense of mastering their world rather than being at its mercy. It can also help people experience a whole variety of ways of being, rather than feeling stuck in one rigid behavioural pattern. In short, this form of therapy can help people develop the ability to view life with wonder, as a journey rather than a trial, and eradicate the fear associated with death.
Who could benefit from Existential Therapy?
For some people, existential therapy could be the most appropriate form of therapy for their condition or needs; for others, another approach may be more beneficial. Some psychological problems, such as substance abuse, PTSD, depression and anxiety in particular, are more likely to benefit from existential therapy.
In general, this form of therapy is excellent for treating the psychological or emotional dysfunctions and instabilities that stem from the basic anxieties of life, as noted above. People who are willing to explore the relatively heavy themes of existentialism and are wanting to find more meaning in life will be well suited to this form of therapy.
However, this type of therapy will not suit some people, particularly those who do not want to dive into the depths of existentialism. For some people, pushing them to consider death, isolation and life’s meaning may be harmful. While it may be ultimately beneficial for all people to come to terms with these inevitabilities, not everyone is ready to deal with them at any given moment.
How Existential Therapy Works
Existential therapy can be criticised by being too pessimistic, dealing, as it does, with life’s heavier issues. However, this is not at all true; this form of therapy generally aims to be overwhelmingly positive, non-dogmatic and open-minded. Some forms of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focus on teaching people perspectives and practices to apply to their problems. Existential therapy on the other hand is less about teaching, and more about focussing on the individuals finding their own answers, perspectives and meanings. People gain direction by coming to view themselves and the world around them with greater clarity and depth. Clients are guided to take responsibility for their lives and their actions in a way that aligns with their personal values, resulting in living life more authentically.
Therapists tend not to focus on exploring the client’s past; rather, they try and discover and explore the choices before them. Furthermore, therapists are considered to be fellow humans who are also embarking on their own journey through life’s inevitable confrontation with the ‘givens’ mentioned above. Therefore, they are also dealing with the truth of the human condition alongside the client.
Existential therapy can, inevitably, result in the individual making rational choices and developing their potential as human beings. It encourages them to live authentically, moving beyond life’s fears and anxiety and towards a fulfilling life and one worth living.
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