Existential Therapy

Question 1

_____ was a prisoner in the Nazi Concentration Camps where he lost his entire family.

He believes that essence lies in searching more meaning.

Answer 1

Victor Frankl

Question 2

_____ was an American psychiatrist and published many books on existential therapy.

He integrated psychoanalysis and existential therapy, studied with Adler, and is known for “problems of being.”

Answer 2

Rollo May

Question 3

_____ defined the four “givens of existence.”

He believed in focusing on the here and now of the therapeutic relationship and exploring the client’s interpersonal world.

Answer 3

Irvin Yalom

Question 4

Existentialism is an area of philosophy concerned with ….

Answer 4

the meaning of human existence

- explores themes and issues of love, choice, freedom, responsibility, death, and the meaning of life

Question 5

Concerned with how one deals with sense of value and meaning in one’s life in relation to ….

Answer 5

the present/future view

Question 6

Deterministic or nondeterministic?

Answer 6

Nondeterministic

- believes it is an oversimplification to view people as controlled by predetermined physical laws

Question 7

Individuals have _____ and can constantly _____ their lives.

Answer 7

free will; recreate

Question 8

focus on active, positive aspects of human ____ and ____

Answer 8

growth; achievement

Question 9

Says that the greater our ______, the greater our possibilities for freedom.

Answer 9

self-awareness

Question 10

Self-awareness includes:

• we are ____ (time is limited)
• we have the _____ to act or not to act
• meaning is not automatic - we must ______
• we are subjective to loneliness, meaninglessness, emptiness, and isolation

Answer 10

• finite
• choice
• seek it

Question 11

____ is “the courage to be”

Answer 11

Identity

- we must trust ourselves to search within and find our own answers

Question 12

According to Existentialism, what is our greatest fear?

Answer 12

that we will discover that there is no core, no self

Question 13

Being existentially _____ helps us to discover our authentic self

Answer 13

alone

Question 14

balancing ____ and ___ helps us develop a unique identity and live authentically in the moment

Answer 14

aloneness; relatedness

Question 15

______ occurs when a client does not take responsibility, is not aware of feelings, or otherwise is inauthentic in dealing with life.

Answer 15

Resistance

Question 16

______ is important to note when client’s attention focuses on the therapist. Should work to make progress in the process of developing a real and authentic relationship.

Answer 16

Transference

Question 17

According to Existential Therapy, the manner in which we live and what we become are a result of _____.

Answer 17

our choices

Question 18

______ is normal and is the outcome of being confronted with the four “givens of existence.”

Answer 18

Existential anxiety.

- Life cannot be lived meaningfully and with responsibility, nor can isolation or death be faced, without anxiety!

Question 19

______ is anxiety about concrete things that are out of proportion to the situation.

Answer 19

Neurotic anxiety.

- we are typically unaware of it!

Question 20

Role of therapy relationship is very important; counselor should strive toward an honest, open, and _____ relationship with client.

Answer 20

egalitarian

Question 21

The therapeutic relationship serves to _____ authenticity, freedom of choice, and appropriate handling of anxiety circumstances, self-disclosure.

Answer 21

model

Question 22

T/F: There are multiple, specific techniques a counselor should employ in existential therapy.

Answer 22

False.

- there are little to no specific techniques designated within this theory

Question 23

When is the counseling process at its best?

Answer 23

when the deepest self of the therapist meets the deepest part of the client

Question 24

What are the phases of existential therapy?

Answer 24

1. Initial phase: Identifying assumptions
   - Clients are assisted in identifying and clarifying assumptions about world.
2. Middle phase: Value system
   - Clients are assisted in more fully examining the source and authority of their present value system.
3. Final phase: Action
   Clients are assisted in translating what they have learned about themselves into action.

Question 25

What are some strengths of existential therapy?

Answer 25

• something all counselors can incorporate
• stresses self-determination and accepting personal responsibility
• provides perspective for understanding:
  a) value of anxiety and guilt
  b) role of death
  c) creative aspects of being alone
  d) choosing for oneself

Question 26

What are some limitations of existential therapy?

Answer 26

• lacks systematic statement of principles and practices
• global terms and abstract concepts
• limited empirical research
• limited applications for:
  - lower-functioning clients
  - clients in extreme crisis who need direction
  - those who are nonverbal

Question 27

What are the 6 Propositions/”Basic Dimensions of Human Existence”?

Answer 27

1. Capacity for self-awareness
2. Tension between freedom and responsibility
3. Creating one’s identity - establishing meaningful relationships
4. Search for: meaning, purpose, values, & goals
5. Accepting anxiety as a condition of living
6. Awareness of death and nonbeing