Existential Tradition
Seeking a balance between recognizing the limits and tragic dimensions of human existence against the possibilities and opportunities of human life.
Important Figures in Philosophy and Existentialism:
- Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
- Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)
- Martin Buber (1878-1965)
- Ludwig Binswanger(1881-1966)
- Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980)
Important Figures in Existential Psychotherapy:
- Viktor Frankl (1905-1997)
- Rollo May (1909-1994)
- James Bugental (1915-2008)
- Irvin Yalom (1931 - )
"The existential view of human nature is captured, in part by the notion that the significance of our existence is never fixed once and for all; rather, we continually recreate ourselves through our projects. Humans are in a constant state of transition, emerging, evolving, and becoming in response to the tensions, contradictions, and conflicts in our lives." (Corey, 2011).
BASIC DIMENSIONS OF THE HUMAN CONDITION:
The Capacity for Self-Awareness - The greater our awareness, the greater our possibilities for freedom.
Freedom and Responsibility - Avoiding inauthenticity and choosing to be responsible for our lives, our actions, and our failures to take action.
Striving for Identity and Relationship to Others - When we are able to stand alone and tap into our own strength, our relationships with others are based on our fulfillment, not our deprivation.
Freedom and Responsibility - Avoiding inauthenticity and choosing to be responsible for our lives, our actions, and our failures to take action.
Striving for Identity and Relationship to Others - When we are able to stand alone and tap into our own strength, our relationships with others are based on our fulfillment, not our deprivation.
The Search for Meaning - Finding satisfaction and meaning in life is a by-product of engagement, which is a commitment to creating, loving, working, and building.
Anxiety as a Condition of Living - Facing existential anxiety involves viewing life as an adventure rather than hiding behind imagined securities that seem to offer protection.
Awareness of Death and Nonbeing - Those who fear death also fear life. Instead of being frozen by the fear of death, death can be viewed as a positive force than enables us to live as fully as possible.
Anxiety as a Condition of Living - Facing existential anxiety involves viewing life as an adventure rather than hiding behind imagined securities that seem to offer protection.
Awareness of Death and Nonbeing - Those who fear death also fear life. Instead of being frozen by the fear of death, death can be viewed as a positive force than enables us to live as fully as possible.
Therapeutic Goals
- To help clients become more present to both themselves and others
- To assist clients in identifying ways they block themselves from fuller presence
- To challenge clients to assume responsibility for designing their present lives
- To encourage clients to choose more expanded ways of being in their daily lives
The central focus of existentialism and it therapeutic approach is "increased awareness". Our existence is never fixed once and for all as we continue to recreate ourselves through our projects. We are encouraged to assume responsibility for how we choose to be in this world and to create a life that has meaning and purpose.
References:
Corey, Gerald (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. 9th ed.
Belmont,California: Brooks/Cole. (pp. 137-167).
Schneider, K. J., & Krug, O. T. (2010). Existential-humanistic therapy. Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.
Schneider, K. J., & Krug, O. T. (2010). Existential-humanistic therapy. Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.
Good job but is it me, or are you forgetting to include "techniques" ... for example, with Gestalt there is the "experiment." For Person-centered things like reflective listening, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct...my bad! Got so caught up in creation, that I left out some requirements! Thanks Ray!
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