Existential Theory More of a philosophical approach than a separate theory; offers ideas and themes for counseling.

Existential View of Human Nature: Realistically Optimistic People struggle with universal concerns of death, freedom, isolation, & meaning Anxiety can cause unhappiness & despair

Existential Philosophers Kierkegaard: the “grandfather” of existentialism Nietzsche ( ) emphasized the importance of human subjectivity. Edmund Husserl ( ): promoted existentialism as a phenomenological approach

Best known existential counseling theorists: Viktor Frankl Rollo May ( ) - dealt with issues of anxiety, dealing with power, accepting freedom, developing identity Irvin Yalom

Podcast Explaining Existential Therapy If you are interested in listening to a discussion of existential theory, please click on the hyperlink below to be taken to a podcast. This podcast can be downloaded and “taken on the road” l64.mp3http:// l64.mp3 The narrator of the podcast uses our text, so much of the information covered in this presentation will be discussed in the podcast. If you learn more effectively through listening, please take advantage of the audio.

Phenomenology: Defined: A method of exploration that uses subjective human experiencing as its focus. Phenomenological theories/philosophies include: Adlerian, person-centered, Gestalt, existential, and reality therapies.

Approaches to Existentialism Dynamic existentialism: focuses attention on the resolution of inner conflict and anxiety. Humanistic existentialism: emphasizes unconditional acceptance, awareness of personal experience, and authenticity rather than resolving conflicts. Transpersonal existentialism: perceives death as an opportunity for the individual to rise above the circumstances. (Tragedy vs. joy)

Key idea of existentialism: Deals with the dynamic or ever- changing transitions that individuals encounter as they emerge, evolve, and become.

Existentialism addresses: “Who will I be?” “Who am I?” “Where do I come from?” The importance of time with emphasis on the present in understanding self and the world.

Major concepts addressed by existentialism: Being-in-the-world Four ways of being Time and Being Anxiety Living and Dying Freedom, Responsibility, & Choice Isolation and Loving Meaning and Meaninglessness Striving for Authenticity

BEING-IN-THE WORLD: “I AM” Four Ways of “Being” 1. The Biological world or environment 2. The “with world” or area of human relationships 3. The “own world” or relationship one has with oneself 4. The Uberwelt or beliefs about the world (usually religious or spiritual)

Time and Being Focus is on future, past, and present. The individual is in the process of self- actualization and moving into an immediate future. Past is used solely for”history & development.”

Anxiety: Two major types 1. Normal Anxiety: 3 features Appropriate to the situation Not usually repressed Provides an opportunity to confront dilemmas, such as dying, responsibility, and choices. 2. Neurotic Anxiety: Blown out of proportion, inappropriate, destructive

LIVING AND DYING: Death is inevitable; therefore, the awareness of death should not cause dread, but should inspire us to live a creative life. Death is not a threat, but is an urging for us to live our lives fully and take advantage of each opportunity to do something meaningful.

Freedom, Responsibility, & Choice In the pursuit of freedom, individuals are responsible for their own world, their life plans, and their choices. These concepts are interrelated as we are free to choose in what ways we will be responsible for leading our lives and what values are significant to us.

Isolation and Loving Existential isolation refers to being separated from the world; the feeling of being totally alone and feeling “nothingness.” Loving relationships overcome the sense of existential isolation (“I-thou ”)

Meaningfulness & Meaninglessness Out of our will to love and live, we arrive at meaning in our lives. We find meaning in our world by fully being aware of ourselves (transcendence) Meaning is implicit in discovering ourselves and awareness of others.

Striving for Authenticity Authenticity is a central genuineness and awareness of being. Authentic persons are grounded, honest, and compassionate. The antithesis of authenticity is vulnerability Authentic people are true to their own values and goals (not others).

The Therapeutic Relationship The core of the existential connection is the “I to thou” relationship The therapist is merely a guide to the counselee’s journey of self- discovery

Components of the therapeutic relationship 1. Therapeutic love - “loving friendship” - Counselor must strive to develop a genuine caring encounter that does not stifle the client’s growth with the therapist’s needs. Counselor = authentic to self and to client.

Components (cont.) Resistance Resistance occurs when client does not take responsibility, is alienated, is not aware of feelings, or is in authentic. Counselor should establish an authentic relationship with the client, being supportive of the client’s issues

Components of Relationship (cont.) Transference Too great a focus on transference interferes with the authentic relationship Transference can be used as a way to “act out” relationship issues with others BUT, maintain the authentic relationship.

The Therapeutic Process Counselor must be “present and involved” with clients Self-disclosure may be appropriate to help clients fully develop their own sense of authenticity Counselor should explore existential themes (e.g., death, freedom, responsibility, etc.)

Intervention Strategies Telling the Story Sharing Existence in the Moment Centered Awareness of Being Self-Responsibility Dream Work Disclosing & Working through Resistance Confronting Anxiety Sustaining changes in Being Closure - the final confrontation with reality

Phases of Counseling Initial: Counselors assist clients in identifying and clarifying their assumptions about the world; they define and questions the way they perceive and make sense of their existence. Middle: Clients examine the source and authority of their present value system; form a more clear sense of purpose and meaning. Final: Clients take what they are learning about themselves and put it into action. Goal is to enable clients to find ways of to pursue a “purposeful existence.”

Limitations of Existentialism A subjective approach to an objective world Relies on verbal exchange and authenticity; does not consider the withdrawn or “avoidance” type Lacks a guiding theory; non-specific Lack of scientific exploration to validate the ideas.

Tests that measure Existential Conflict: Existential/Dialectical Marital Questionnaire: found to be valid and useful with Israeli couples “Purpose of Life Test” (Crumbaugh & Maholic) measures meaninglessness but lacks validity support Scales that measure the avoidance of the ontological confrontation of death (AOC) and avoidance of existential confrontation (AEC); Reliability is high but little follow-up support.

Tests (cont.) The LRI (“Life Regard Index”) examines meaning in life; theoretically sound but has not been used. The “Experienced Levels of Emptiness and Existential Concern” and the “Existential Anxiety Scale” also need broader use and further study

Research According to most: There have been no real efficacy studies on the efficacy of existential theory, although some techniques (i.e, paradoxical intention, etc.) have been tested. The lack of research on the theory adds to its claim to be more of a philosophy than a specific therapy.

Multicultural considerations Has been championed as one of the most ethnoculturally sensitive approaches due to the emphasis on the individual experience and self-discovery. Has the potential to be very multiculturally and gender sensitive as it deals with the individual where he/she is. Celebrates individual uniqueness

Others disagree Prochaska and Norcross (2003): “Only in existentialism and the movies do people possess unlimited freedom, construct their own meanings, and execute boundless choices. Save it for the wealthy, worried well” (p.133). Obviously not for everyone, but still a process that most experience!