The core precept of existential psychotherapy rests on its belief in the uniqueness of existence. It, therefore, discards psychiatric diagnosis or psychopathology as much as it rejects theoretical frameworks. This is a relatively technique-free therapeutic approach, which seeks to understand each client’s particular perception of the world and unique ways of experiencing it. Here, whatever distress the individual presents during therapy it is regarded as an issue of living rather than a mental disorder per se. Moreover, the individual is seen as the main authority when it comes to his/her views and feelings, with which the therapist engages without preconceptions.
This aspect of Existential Psychotherapy resembles the person-centered approach of Humanistic Psychology, where the psychologist/counsellor is required to deal with the client’s reality with empathic understanding. In fact, the existential method is sometimes placed under the humanistic umbrella, but not all agree with this. For, whilst humanistic ideas are based on eastern philosophies, existential thinkers have drawn the fundamental tenets of existential concepts from the phenomenological method and existential philosophy.
The Phenomenological Method
Despite the complexity of the philosophy underlying phenomenology the method’s central purpose is uncomplicated, which is that one should see things as they appear. The philosopher Edmund Husserl proposed a number of processes (epoché) through which this can be achieved. While its main idea may be simple, trying to put them in practice is not that straight-forward as humans seem to be inherently judgemental.
So, try to reflect on this & step into the therapist’s shoes.
Imagine the following: You are having a talk with someone (let’s call him Danny) who is afflicted by anxious feelings.
Try to suspend all judgment and preconceptions you have (bracketing) when trying to understand Danny’s world. This implies isolating (bracketing) Danny’s experience of the world from all your concepts and beliefs in order to see the world from his lens. For example, Danny comes to you and tells you he is feeling anxious; for you, this might mean a sense of agitation, nervousness; but for Danny it may well be a sensation of panic, freezing. So, how to come to understand Danny? Description would be the following ‘step’, where rather than trying to explain the cause of Danny’s anxious feelings you stay with his experience without simplifying it or looking for the roots of it. Next comes horizontalization the process through which no one issue is placed on a higher of lower position of importance. So, when Danny discusses his family problems you will not regard them as a more important problem than, let’s say his financial struggles. To finalize, it is always important to seek for verification. Here you will ask Danny direct questions as to obtain reassurance of the matter being addressed in the conversation (his anxiety). Last thing you want to happen here is for you and Danny end up talking about completely different things.
Have you ever unawarely applied this approach with a friend, partner or family member? Take a moment to think about it. How did you do?
In case you think you did not do that great there is an important point to be highlighted here for the next time you find yourself in such an instance. Rather than trying to get Danny to explain his experience get him to describe it. The phenomenological method focus on the what and how, instead of the why.
Existential Philosophy
This is because the method described previously draws its depth from the ideas of existential philosophy, which explores the human condition and examines ideas of how life can become a better experience in the face of unavoidable difficulties and, indeed, in the face of death. In more practical terms this concept has to do with how one has come to terms with their reality. Are they avoiding it? Or, facing it?
Nietzsche’s notion of amor fati (to love one’s destiny/fate) is fundamental during the work with a client here. And this is when the therapist’s focus is directed at the client’s present (rather than the past) and the current available ways he/she has to rewrite their experience in life; so then, he/she accepts their experience and consequently gain more control over their future.
Through understanding some of the key ideas of existence that this philosophy puts forward, one might be able to identify gaps, questions and meanings. It is important to keep in mind though, that this is not a fixed rule and at different points in life some of these dimensions of existence are more relevant than others.
- Existence as unique – every human being is a singular being; there are no universalities or commonalites when it comes to essences of people.
- Existence as verb-like – humans are active beings always creating and changing their world.
- Existence as free to chose – we are not predetermined by our past or personality.
- Existence as in relation with the world and others – ‘no man is an island’
- Existence as embodied – we experience the world through our bodies; for, we are our bodies.
- Existence as anxious – a consequence of our fundamental freedom.
Anxiety – The burden of freedom
While anxiety is seen by many fields within the mental health world as a disorder, in existential psychotherapy it is rather seen as an unavoidable aspect of existence. An aspect that can either overwhelm us, or energize us.
Sore Kierkegaard suggested that anxiety is the very price humans pay for freedom, something which he sees to be fundamental to human life. He rejected the notion that anxiety stems from people’s individual development or, even, personality. Further explaining that anxiety in humans first, result from the experience of a world we did not necessarily choose; second, from the constant need to make (or not make) choices and, finally, from the understanding that life is ultimately moving towards an end.
Of course, for those to whom anxiety is overwhelming, the therapist explores the aspects of their lives which are revealed through anxious feelings. Subsequently encouraging them to dissect their experience in this world in order to face their fears with courage, instead of deny and reject them. The therapist here sees that, when someone opens up about their anxiety they are revealing what is valuable for them, in other words, the things they believe to be important. Also, there should be no hurry in trying to rid the person of anxious feelings, as within this framework this is not a disorder that needs to be cured, but a chance for self-evaluation and change.
Criticism
The critics of the existential approach point to the apparently limited empirical evidence existent in the field. However, this is changing as more and more psychologists are ‘beginning to engage in outcome and process research’. There is already documented evidence supporting this approach and developments in the field (terror management theory) that successfully applied the core concepts of existential psychology/philosophy in the understanding of human behaviour.
Summary
- Existential psychotherapy rejects psychiatric diagnosis and psychopathology as its fundamental tenet rests on the belief of the uniqueness of existence.
- Therapists engage phenomenologically with their clients while drawing on the ideas of existential philosophy, in a nearly technique-free, conversational method.
- Nietzsche’s notion of amor fati (to love one’s destiny/fate) augments the phenomenological method, as they support the interpretation of personal meaning.
- Anxiety can either be overwhelming or a driving force to humans. It is further seen as an inevitable aspect of human life as it is the price humans pay for their fundamental freedom.
Reference List:
Barker, M. Vossler, A. Langdridge, D. (2010) Understandying Couselling and Psychotherapy, London, Sage.
Spinelli, E. (2007). Practicing Existencial Psychotherapy: The relational world. London, Sage.
[Original Content by Abigail Dantes 2017]
Dear followers, I am unusually posting my Psychology Addict series this Friday due to the holiday period, which I will be celebrating mostly in my offline world. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read my writing and engaging with my work. It truly is the best Christmas gift you can give me! All the best & Merry Christmas to you and all your loved ones!😊
