What is Existential Therapy?

Existential Therapy encourages a person to create a meaningful life for himself. It is based on the Existential Theory that states life has no meaning, man is lonely, and death cannot be avoided. The theory also states that people can change their lives with their own free will. The Therapy on the other hand, helps people to believe in themselves. It makes them held responsible for their lives and take charge of their lives and relationships. 

It is one of the types of Humanistic Therapy that believes that authority and cure are not in the hands of a therapist and gives much emphasis to the human potential of creating a difference. Humanistic therapists focus on the present condition of the person and his goals in his life. The therapists act as a collaborator in the whole experience. 

Existential Theory in London

Existential Theory is a base of Existential therapy that is based on the concept that human life is meaningless and lonely and death cannot be avoided. The theory also states that human beings can bring meaning to their life, and they have free will to do so. 

There are four Existential givens according to this theory, and these cause Inner Anguish. These four Givens were labeled in 1980 by a famous Psychotherapist, Irvin D. Yalom. The four givens are named Freedom, Isolation, Meaningless, and Death. These four givens describe that human beings carry a responsibility to create a meaningful life for themselves; they are meant to be alone ultimately. Sometimes life could be meaningless, and death is inevitable. 

How Does Therapy Work?

Existential therapy is a collaborative process in which a therapist works with the person as a companion in creating a better and meaningful life, and this process is not labeled as Treatment.

The following are included in Existential Therapy:

• Experiences of present life are discussed in detail, which eventually helps to reveal the existential ideas behind them.
• Mindfulness and living in the present moment are practiced.
• Relationships are explored with the perspective of the larger world, such as norms and culture
• The purpose of life is explored instead of focusing on Goals and their outcomes. 
• Transformation in behavior is worked upon, which leads to minimizing and eliminating inner conflicts. 
• Creativity and responsibility are emphasized in order to build a purposeful life. Negative thoughts (anxieties, hopes, and fears) are openly discussed during sessions. 

How Therapy can help

Therapy can help in 

• Recovering the aftermath of unforgettable and shocking events in one’s life
• It reduces the hopelessness which is caused by the uncontrollable circumstances in one’s life. 
• It promotes Self-empowerment
• Helps to fear Anxiety ( Death Anxiety)
• Addresses the low self-esteem of an individual 

Existential Therapy and GOD

This therapy supports the idea of human free will, and it believes that humans can act according to their free will without GOD. There is a clash of beliefs in this therapy with some religions where God is believed to be the supreme authority. 

Techniques used in Existential Therapy London

Some common techniques used in Existential Therapy are 

• Open Dialogue and conversations are encouraged during the sessions. Therapists are flexible, supportive, and nonjudgemental 
• Mindfulness is a technique in which the present is focussed, and effort to build a better future is considered and is employed in this therapy 
• Patients are encouraged to remain active and ask questions about their presence. It helps to experience life authentically and fully. 
• Ranking of experiences is not practiced in therapy, as Existential therapy treats all experiences equally. 
• Negative feelings and inner conflicts are considered good reactions and are not cured immediately in order to explore them. 
• Interactions with society and common people are discussed as they enable the patient to find their existing place in society. 

Scientific Evidence of Effectiveness of Therapy 

A wide range of scientific studies in a well-controlled environment have indicated that clients have benefited from Existential Therapy sessions, and their well-being has increased (Vos, Craig & Cooper, 2014). More evidence has proved that therapy is as effective and result-oriented as other psychotherapies used for mental health issues (e.g., Rayner & Vitali, in press). It has been proved with the help of scientific research over a decade that nearly all psychotherapies are beneficial and produce positive results (Seligman, 1995; Wampold & Imel, 2015). 

The efficacy of the therapy is dependent on the characteristics and personal requirements of the patient. Other factors, such as the warm and empathic behavior of the therapist and cooperative client, are also important determinants of the success of therapy (Norcross & Lambert, 2011). Moreover, the emphasis of Existential therapy on meaningful life is also a contributing factor in the effectiveness of treatment (Wampold & Imel, 2015).  

Difference of Therapy from other Therapies in London

The therapy is unique as it focuses on free will and determination to change life whereas other therapies target the patient’s needs in different manners. 

Psychodynamic therapies vs Existential therapy

Psychodynamic therapies work on transforming the behavior, feelings, and thoughts of the patients, and it is done to reveal the unconscious and hidden motives in their minds. Psychoanalytic therapies function by working close, similar to partnership and it provides an opportunity to explore the interactions during the sessions.  

Existential Therapy works differently and does not depend on the past. It relates to the past in order to make decisions and promotes freedom and assertiveness.  

Cognitive and Behavioral therapy vs Existential therapy

The main focus of CBT is to develop healthy behavior and promote dysfunctional thought processes. It cures through positive thinking and brings a change in irrational and dysfunctional thoughts. 

In existential therapy, the focus is on the free will of an individual, and he is held responsible for the betterment of their life. 

Who benefits from Existential Therapy?

The therapy could benefit people from all age groups. It can help people from different backgrounds who are dealing with adjustment issues; theory helps these people identify their place in society and how it affects their lives. It helps to cure Depression and Anxiety in people in addition to medicines. This therapy also heals victims of Trauma. 

Who Should Avoid Existential Therapy 

People who are in need of immediate medical help along with their psychiatric needs might not benefit from Existential therapy. People who prefer to analyze past experiences also fall into the category of those who would not benefit from this therapy. 

How Therapists are trained 

Existential Therapists are given training in training programs. The training is of post-graduate level and involves training, skills, theoretical learning, and practical work. 

Book Recommendation

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Summary

Existential Therapy believes life is meaningless and could be made better and meaningful by the person himself through his free will. Therapy helps people to talk about their hopelessness during the sessions. Mindfulness is emphasized, and through open dialogue, negative emotions are explored. The therapy is not effective for some patients sometimes, and at this point, other therapies available for the same issue can be used. Therapists must be selected after an interview. In order to choose the right therapists, according to your personal needs, an interview with a therapist would be beneficial. We here at SeekaPsych can help you in choosing the most suitable therapist for you. 

FAQ’s

Why is existentialism not popular?

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