What is existential therapy?
Existential therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses theories and practices of philosophy to address the challenges related to being human. Existential therapy helps you identify how you have a personal responsibility for your behaviors. It can also help identify your true beliefs and what gives your life meaning and purpose.
While other forms of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, focus on how your past experiences influence your actions, existential therapy focuses on how you personally influence your experiences.
How can existential therapy help me?
Existential therapy can help anyone who wants to learn more about who they are and the world around them. It can help you understand how your decisions lead to a specific outcome. It helps you make better personal choices that are meaningful to you. You can also gain a better understanding of what you’re interested in and what makes you feel fulfilled.
Who is existential therapy best for?
Existential therapy may be beneficial for people who experience:
- Substance use disorder.
- Alcohol use disorder.
- Substance or behavioral addictions.
- Anxiety and fear.
- Depression.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
- A chronic physical condition or mental health condition.
What are the goals of existential therapy?
There are four basic concepts or pillars of existential therapy that each person will work through. These pillars are part of the human experience and include:
- Death: As death is part of life, accepting its existence without fear helps you live more fully.
- Isolation: You alone are in control of your future.
- Meaning: Identify what gives you purpose and what ultimately makes you feel fulfilled.
- Responsibility (freedom): Your choices direct you on a specific path.
The focus of existential therapy is to reduce fear and anxiety toward these pillars so you can accept that they’re part of the human experience. A therapist will help you work through these difficult topics to help you reach your personal goals.
