Existential Therapy Techniques and Benefits
Medically reviewed by Michael MacIntyre, MD
Existential therapy is a type of psychotherapy (talk therapy) that encourages people to use their free will to create meaning and purpose in life if they feel lost, hopeless, or alienated. It can help someone with depression, anxiety disorders, or substance addiction understand how their personal choices influence their future.
Existential therapy is based on existentialism, a philosophy in which life is considered "meaningless" and meaning can only be found through one's own choices. It reinforces the belief that each person has a personal responsibility for their behaviors.
This article explains how existential therapy works, who it can help, and the limitations of the practice. It also offers insights into other forms of talk therapy you may pursue.
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What Is Existential Therapy?
Existential therapy is based on existentialism, a philosophical theory that characterizes individuals as free and responsible agents who influence the course of their lives through acts of will.
As a philosophy, existentialism is grounded on the acceptance of four "givens," namely:
Freedom: People have the freedom and responsibility to create meaningful lives.
Isolation: People are ultimately alone.
Meaninglessness: Life can feel meaningless.
Death: No one can escape death.
In psychotherapy, existential therapy is founded on the belief that each person has the free will to make choices and find meaning in their life, even if the human condition seems lonely, meaningless, and temporary.
It reframes experiences like loneliness, anxiety, and hopelessness as neither "good" nor "bad" but as states of the human condition. Personal choice, therefore, becomes the one factor that can change these conditions.
By placing the responsibility for change in your own domain, you can identify what you believe to be your life's purpose and set goals to achieve a higher degree of meaning and purpose.
Existentialism vs. Humanism
Existentialism differs slightly from humanism in that humanists characterize people as inherently good. By contrast, existentialists view people as neither inherently bad nor good.
Existential Therapy Techniques
Many existential therapists do not regard the practice as a particular method of psychotherapy. Instead, they treat it as a way of approaching therapy. Rather than labeling someone a "patient," they may regard both parties as "fellow travelers" in search of authentic meaning.
Certain principles that drive the practice of existential therapy:
Open, interactive dialogue: Focusing on non-judgmental, two-way communication with honesty and trust
Mindfulness: Being present in the here and now rather than stagnating in the past or obsessing about the future
Philosophical questioning: Asking questions about the larger meaning of life and sharing your belief on what the meaning of life is
Treating all experiences as equal: Avoiding dismissiveness or the ranking of experiences by order of importance
Avoiding labels: Reframing experiences as neither "good" nor "bad" but ones from which you can examine your choices and make new ones
Creativity and exploration: Looking at many different choices and openly and honestly exploring where each might take you
Embracing change: Accepting that goals can change as the meaning of life changes
Contextualizing choices: Examining your choices not only in terms of your own feelings but also relationships, society, and the world at large
While there are no rules as to how long a person needs existential therapy, the practice is goal-oriented. As with other forms of talk therapy, each session typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes and is scheduled once weekly.
Examples of Existential Questions
As one of the facets of existential therapy, philosophical questions allow you to ask yourself:
Why am I here?
Is this all there is?
What can we make of suffering?
Am I all alone or part of a larger whole?
What do I value in life?
What is my true nature?
Do I have a greater purpose?
Benefits of Existential Therapy
Existential therapy can help anyone who wants to understand how they fit into the world and what makes them feel fulfilled. It can help you figure out how your choices lead to specific outcomes so that you can make better choices.
Existential therapy can be used for people facing many different challenges, including:
Paralysis
Degenerative conditions like muscular dystrophy
The loss of a loved one
Any traumatic or life-changing event
Existential therapy is not only intended for people with extreme issues. It may be just as useful for someone who finds themselves at a crossroads and needs guidance to find new goals and meaning in their life.
Professional Qualifications
Existential therapists hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, with additional training in philosophy. Others hold a master’s degree in philosophy after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology (or vice versa). Licensure varies by state.
Limitations of Existential Therapy
Existential therapy may not be appropriate for people with conditions like schizophrenia or dementia who need specific primary forms for treatment. The same applies to those whose ability to reason may be impaired, such as someone in an acute manic phase of bipolar disorder or who has major depression with psychotic features.
Anyone with suicidal thoughts should seek immediate care by dialing 988 to speak with a trained responder at the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.
Existentialism and God
Existential therapy is founded on a tenet of free will, including the freedom to explore spirituality. In practice, however, the process of decision-making does not involve a "higher power" as it might with programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.
That's not to say that existentialism and a belief in a higher power cannot co-exist; there are, in fact, Christian existential therapists who straddle existentialism and God.
In the end, what is most important is identifying your belief system and being able to speak openly and honestly with any therapist you choose to work with.
Other Options
Existential therapy may be ideal for people who feel alienated or lost and can see no clear route to changing their lives and giving them meaning.
But if the principles of existentialism do not align with your personal beliefs, or you are searching for self-awareness rather the self-worth, other therapies may be more appropriate, including:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This involves identifying and changing thought and behavior patterns that are unhealthy and replacing them with effective ones.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT): This is a short-term therapy that helps you identify interpersonal issues like unresolved grief and family conflicts that may be interfering with your life and well-being.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This is a specific type of CBT that helps people with borderline personality disorder, PTSD, and chronic suicidal thoughts regulate their emotions.
Psychodynamic therapy: This is based on the idea that behavior and mental health are rooted in past traumas and experiences that can be brought from the unconscious to the conscious.
Summary
Existential therapy is based on the philosophy of existentialism, which states that people can use their free will to create meaning for themselves. It is a form of talk therapy that incorporates mindfulness and open dialogue to help you understand how the choices you make directly influence changes in your life.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
