Chapter 7: Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy Flashcards
Existential Counseling
Grounded in existential philosophy, which addresses questions related to existence; what is the purpose and meaning of life? Why do we suffer? What is death?
Strands of Existential Counseling
Daseinanalysis
Logotherapy
American existential-humanistic approach
British School of Existential Analysis
Daseinanalysis
Employs a more analytic approach to help clients open up to their world and to explore how their way-of-being in the world contributes to their suffering
Logotherapy
Based on the belief that life is inherently meaningful
American Existential-Humanistic Approach
Focuses on the individual’s need to be true to his or her own subjective experience, having a more inward focus
British School of Existential Analysis
Incluedes practices that explore four dimensions of existence, including physical, social, personal, and spiritual
Existential Counseling
Involves assisting people to come to terms with dilemmas of living; Most of the issues for which people come to counseling have an existential root; by addressing these as well as the symptoms, the presenting problem as well as deeper life issues of meaning and significance are also addressed, resulting in longer-lasting effects of counseling
I-Thou Relationship
A person experiences the other as a fully independent subject (person or agent); each is fully authentic and receptive to the other’s authenticity in this moment
I-It Encounter
The person engages the other as an object, more of a mental representation or class of person than an independent, authentic entity; a person essentially relateds to his or her conceptualization of the other rather than the actual other
Viktor Frankl
Developed logotherapy, therapy through meaning; believed that even in the most dehumanizing, painful, and absurd circumstances, humans can find purpose, meaning and the will to live
Martin Bubuer
Famous for I and Thou; worked on religious existential philosophy
Rollo May
Key figure for bringing existentialism in the US; emphasized that resisting anxiety takes courage that our choices determine and shape the type of person we become
Irvin Yalom
Existential Approach identifies four givens of existence: death, freedom, existential isolation, and meaninglessmess
Purpose of Existential Counseling
To help clients take responsibility for the circumstances in their lives and to make conscious choices that enable them to live more meaningful, authentic lives
Areas Existential Counseling Address
Death and anxiety
Freedom and responsibility
Isolation and relationship
Meaninglessness
I-Thou Authentic Connection
Clients are encouraged to identify and confront the existential anxieties that underlie the problems and concerns they bring to counseling