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Writer's pictureSusan Cimino

Existential Therapy and the Road Ahead

Existential therapy evolved out of the philosophy of existentialism. The founders of this therapy experienced existential crisis in their lives and felt existential therapy would help address fears associated with death or the threat of non-being, meaninglessness, isolation, and the fear that may be experienced with the freedom to choose and be authentic. The concepts of being-in-the-world, being-in-nature, being-with-others, and being-for-oneself are discussed.  Existential therapy does not include specific techniques yet deals with issues of human existence.

Existential therapy deals with the meaning of life, death, and the anxiety humans struggle with when faced with the need for authenticity and the notion that there is freedom to choose how to live life. Existential philosophy can aide individuals through the darkest times of life. When life itself seems meaningless and it is felt there are no clear options, nor freedom to choose for oneself, there can be gained a sense of authenticity in order to regain focus and discernment for the road ahead.

Existential crisis is a term used to define a point in life which an individual may come to, when questioning the meaning versus the meaninglessness of his or her very life and existence. One can be brought to this point when becoming conscious that he or she has been living a lie and comes to realize that at a profound level, it is not working. One can then recognize that he or she has the freedom to choose a different way of life. This realization forces one to acknowledge what might happen if indeed the choice is made to live life differently. The fears which ensue at this critical time of life can be overwhelming
Existentialism addresses four fears, which can lead to an existential crisis. These fears are death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. When individuals come to a time in life when they become conscious of these fears, it is defined as existential anxiety. Existential therapy sees this form of anxiety as deep rooted and daunting, yet also a healthy place to be. It can provide a beginning to develop authenticity and responsibility for one’s own life.

This therapeutic process begins with a look at personality, not as a collection of characteristics, yet rather a continual progression of being. Being-in-the-world is a concept which denotes the way in which our particular experience of the world around us, including our past, present, and future, shapes our unique perceptions as individuals. Included in this idea are the concepts of being-in-nature, being-with-others, and being-for-oneself. The ultimate goal of existential therapy is to develop authenticity. Many have spent their lives acquiring mechanisms that have enabled a feeling of survival, when, in reality, they have served as a shield from the reality of who they truly are as unique individuals. They can lose sight of who they are and enter into a state where being-in-nature, being-with-others, and being-for-oneself are conflicted.

When a client has the freedom to relay whatever they wish to express, the subconscious can be made conscious, and it is assumed that habitual patterns in thinking and interacting can emerge. Rigorous honesty is needed to bring about authenticity. Clients can eventually come to realize that they have freedom to choose what direction their lives will take as a more conscious individual. Authentic beings are free to create themselves and their own lives with a true sense of meaning and belonging.

By Susan Cimino LPC

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