Untitled Deck Flashcards
What is Existentialism?
A philosophical belief that emphasizes the isolation and uniqueness of the individual experience in a world that is unexplainable, indifferent, and often hostile. It stresses freedom of choice and the responsibility for our decisions that come with that freedom.
What do Existentialists believe about the meaning of life?
Each person determines the subjective meaning and purpose of life. There is no ‘universal’ meaning of life.
Who was Viktor Frankl?
A neurologist and psychiatrist who survived a concentration camp during WW II. He believed in the freedom to choose one’s own way and that the essence of being human lies in the individual search for meaning and purpose.
Who was Rollo May?
An American psychologist who believed that the nature of the human experience involves accepting freedom and responsibility, discovering identity, facing death, and taking action in the world.
What are common themes of existential anxiety?
Who am I? Life is finite. What meaning does my life have? How will I get to where I want to be in my life? Finding meaning in our life is a byproduct of creating, loving, and working.
What does it mean to be the Authentic Self?
Being authentic means being who we are at our core, with behavior and words congruent with our inner beliefs and values.
What is the concept of ‘Finding Yourself’?
‘Finding Yourself’ is actually returning to yourself, an unlearning, an excavation, a remembering who you were before the world got its hands on you.
By Emily McDowell
What is Existential Anxiety?
A part of living that can’t be avoided, helping us grow by becoming more aware of our freedoms and facing life more authentically.
What is Neurotic Anxiety?
Anxiety that is usually out of our awareness and out of proportion to the situation at hand, often arising when we don’t deal well with existential anxiety.
What are the therapeutic goals of Existential Therapy?
Clients move towards accepting their freedom and responsibility, recognize how they’re not living authentic lives, become more aware of their choices, search for meaning, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves.
What is the therapist’s role in Existential Therapy?
Assist clients in seeing how they constrict their awareness, accept responsibility for changing their future, look at their contribution to negative situations, and confront ultimate concerns.
What is the client’s role in Existential Therapy?
Clients assume responsibility for change, actively participate in the therapeutic process, explore fears and anxieties, and gradually become aware of their authentic self.
What are the therapeutic techniques in Existential Therapy?
Existential Therapy is not technique-oriented but can incorporate techniques from other orientations as part of the philosophical journey.
What are the three phases of Existential Therapy?
- Initial Phase: Identify and clarify current views. 2. Middle Phase: Examine the source of value systems. 3. Final Phase: Translate learning into action for a purposeful life.
Who are clients appropriate for Existential Therapy?
Clients at a crossroad questioning their world, those working through developmental periods, and not for clients in crisis.
