In our society, the term “existential crisis” often refers to times of internal struggles. These internal struggles are usually related to how people see themselves in the world. Existential therapy is a type of therapy that helps clients think about the meaning of life and what they want out of their lives.
What Is Existential Therapy?
Existential therapy helps clients find meaning in their worlds. This type of therapy uses a meaning-centered approach, which focuses on helping people find purpose in their lives. This therapy also focuses on reflecting on the client’s desires, fears, and outlooks. Existential therapy then uses these reflections to help the client find meaning or purpose in the world. Existential therapy is especially helpful for people who feel hopeless, alone, or disconnected from their lives.
How Does Existential Therapy Work?
Existential therapy teaches key themes that help both the client and therapist work together most effectively. These ideas help clients reflect on their lives. These themes focus on common existential themes such as death, freedom, and meaning.
Existential therapy teaches:
- It’s important to remember that all humans have the freedom to make choices. Everyone can choose what things are most important to them. Once they have identified what is most important to them, they can make choices to help them focus on those things. Making choices also comes with the knowledge that we have the power to decide how we react and treat others. These choices also come with the idea that we shouldn’t blame others for our problems; having the freedom to choose also helps to lower helplessness.
- It’s okay to feel uncertain or anxious about the future. Existential therapy helps clients accept that there are some inevitable parts of life. It also helps clients realize that although these anxieties or fears may always be present, they do not have to control their choices.
- Finding meaning in life can improve the quality of our lives. Existential therapy helps clients to explore their values and how they can integrate them into their everyday lives. Having meaning or purpose in our lives helps us feel more fulfilled. Therapists can ask clients questions to help them discover what is most important and how to live in alignment with those priorities.
- It’s important to stay true to yourself. Existential therapy helps clients to practice self-awareness so they can be authentic to who they truly are. This type of therapy encourages clients to dig deep and discover their deepest desires and truths. While this can be scary, it can also be a liberating way for clients to break free from pretending to be someone they are not.
- Death is inevitable. This idea can be scary or sad, but it also can be used to make life more meaningful. Existential therapy helps clients remember that life is short and that they should live it to the fullest.
Logotherapy
Logotherapy is a type of therapy developed by Viktor Frankl. This type of therapy teaches that finding meaning in life is the best way to improve our lives. He taught three components that center around the existential therapy objectives mentioned above.
- Freedom of Will teaches that we all have the freedom to make choices in life. It also teaches that we all have control over how we respond to situations; we have a responsibility to find meaning even when the situation seems hopeless.
- Will to Meaning teaches that all humans have a desire to find meaning in their lives. Logotherapy teaches that when humans find something meaningful to live for, they will have a better quality of life. This type of therapy helps clients identify their deepest values and desires so they can discover what brings the most meaning to their lives. Therapists guide clients through this process, helping them uncover what will bring the most meaning to their lives.
- Meaning of Life teaches the importance of finding meaning, as mentioned above. It also teaches that everyone’s way of finding meaning might be a little different. Everyone has different experiences and feelings, which shape what matters most to them. This type of therapy also teaches that it’s important to stay hopeful during difficult times. It can be easy to forget about our values and purpose during hard times. However, remembering these things can help us get through the hard times too.
Who Can Benefit from Existential Therapy?
Anyone can benefit from existential therapy. However, it is most suited for people struggling to find their place in the world, lacking meaning, or feeling hopeless. This means that people with depression, anxiety, addiction, or any other mental health struggle would likely benefit from this type of therapy. When someone is struggling with depression, they often feel hopeless and believe their lives will always be this way. Existential therapy can help because it provides a hopeful approach towards a meaningful life.
Existential therapy is a unique type of therapy that helps clients who feel lost find purpose in their lives. Through self-awareness, reflection, and staying true to oneself, clients can use this type of therapy to find meaning. When a person is struggling in life they often seek a greater purpose. Existential therapy helps guide them toward it.
If you are looking for deeper meaning and direction in your life, it may be helpful to look into existential therapy. Everyone deserves to live a fulfilling life with purpose and meaning. Existential therapy can help you take meaningful steps toward this goal. If you are interested in working with our practice, you can reach out to us here.
Online Therapy in Florida, Idaho, South Carolina, and Utah
At Calming Transformations Counseling, our therapists understand how difficult it can be to manage anxiety, stress, depression, and relationship issues. We can help through online therapy in Florida, Idaho, South Carolina, or Utah or walk and talk therapy in Hillsborough County, Florida. Contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step toward a healthier, happier life. Remember, your mental health is important—take the time to care for yourself.
