Existential Therapy Flashcards
________ is a philosophical and literary
movement that emerged in the late 19th and early
20th centuries, primarily in Europe.
It’s characterized by a focus on individual
existence, freedom, choice, and the search for
meaning in a seemingly indifferent or absurd world.
Existentialism
Existentialists frequently explore the idea that life can be
inherently absurd and devoid of inherent meaning.
This notion is famously illustrated by Albert Camus in his
essay “The Myth of Sisyphus,” where he discusses the
absurdity of human existence.
Absurdity
________ is the feeling of unease and
disorientation that can result from confronting the
uncertainties and challenges of life without a fixed
framework of meaning.
Angst
Existentialists often grapple with the significance of
mortality.
This can intensify the
search for meaning and the urgency of living
authentically.
Death
A French philosopher and writer, he is often
considered as one of the foremost existentialist
thinkers. He explored themes of freedom,
responsibility, and the individual’s search for meaning
in a world without inherent purpose. His works include
“Being and Nothingness” and “Existentialism is a
Humanism.”
Jean Paul Sartre (1905-1980)
He is an Algerian-French writer and philosopher,
examined the concept of the absurdity of life in a
universe devoid of meaning. He is known for his
novels like “The Stranger” and “The Myth of
Sisyphus,” where he grappled with the human
condition.
Albert Camus (1913-1960)
He is a German philosopher, is often considered a
precursor to existentialism. He questioned traditional
values and morality, emphasizing the importance of
individual will to power and self-overcoming. His
works include “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” and “Beyond
Good and Evil.”
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)
He is a German philosopher, delved into existential
themes within his phenomenological approach. He
explored the nature of being, authenticity, and the
human experience of time in works like “Being and
Time.”
Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)
He is often regarded as the “father of existentialism,” a
Danish philosopher and theologian. He emphasized the
importance of subjective experience, faith, and individual
choice in one’s relationship with God and existence. His
notable works include “Fear and Trembling” and
“Either/Or.”
Seren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
He was a renowned Jewish philosopher and theologian
known for his philosophy of dialogue, which categorized
human relationships into “I-Thou” and “I-It” encounters.
Emphasizing genuine connections with others, his
existentialist-inspired work stressed the importance of
authentic, reciprocal, and meaningful interactions as
pathways to human fulfillment.
Martin Buber (1889-1976)
________ is an attitude toward human suffering [that]
has no manual. It asks deep questions about the nature of the human
being and the nature of anxiety, despair, grief, loneliness, isolation, and
anomie. It also deals centrally with the questions of meaning, creativity,
and love.
Existential Therapy
The first step of the therapeutic journey
To accept responsibility
The goal of existential therapy is to assist clients in their exploration of
the existential _______
“Givens of life”
He was an American existential psychologist and psychotherapist. He played a
significant role in popularizing existential psychology in the United States. He
emphasized the importance of anxiety and the human quest for meaning, freedom,
and authentic living. His notable works include “Love and Will” and “The Courage to
Create.”
Rollo May (1909-1994)
He was an American existential-humanistic psychologist and psychotherapist. He
made significant contributions to existential therapy and was a pioneer in the
humanistic psychology movement. He emphasized the importance of individual
experience, the therapeutic relationship, and the exploration of the here-and-now in
therapy. His book “The Search for Authenticity” outlines his therapeutic approach.
James Bugental (1915-2008)
He was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor who
developed logotherapy, a form of existential psychotherapy. He believed that the
primary human drive is the search for meaning and that individuals can find purpose
even in the face of suffering. His influential work, “Man’s Search for Meaning,”
combines his personal experiences in Nazi concentration camps with his
philosophical reflections on the importance of meaning in life.
Viktor Frankl (1905-1997)
He is an American psychiatrist and psychotherapist known for his
contributions to existential psychotherapy and group therapy. He has
written several influential books on existential therapy, including
“Existential Psychotherapy” and “The Theory and Practice of Group
Psychotherapy.” His work explores the existential themes of death,
meaninglessness, and isolation, and how they can be addressed in
therapy.
Irvin Yalom (1931)
