Existential Therapy: The General Goal Of Existential Relationships

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Emerging Theory Paper The general goal of existential therapy is to help clients live authentically and recognize when they are not. In the existential view, facing anxiety, determining values, and constructing a personal identity all contribute to an authentic existence (Corey, 2017). As a counselor with an existential perspective, one of my main concerns will be helping people to break away from dependence on others so that they can reclaim their lives. Within the therapeutic relationship, I will help clients develop their presence, with both themselves and others. I will assist them in identifying how they block themselves from complete presence, and challenge clients to assume responsibility for designing their present lives. I will …show more content…

Existential therapy is more of a skills-based therapy (Adams, 2015). Existential counselors must cultivate existential skills in themselves so that they can in turn pass on to clients during psychotherapy (Adams, 2015). Adams (2015) highlights the difference between learning skills and learning information by explaining that skills-learning involves acting differently, whereas information-learning is more integrative. I view therapy as a highly individualized process. There is no set method for every client. Above all, I believe the authentic way in which I interact with my clients will have a more significant impact than any technique I utilize. I will encourage clients to practice their authenticity both inside and outside the therapy …show more content…

I believe the effectiveness of existential therapy is highlighted by the fact that it can be integrated into most other therapies. Because existential therapy is not technique or method oriented, existential therapists are encouraged to utilize techniques from different theories which allows the counseling experience to be more individualized to each client’s needs (Corey, 2017). Existential therapy can be utilized through cognitive behavioral techniques, choice theory techniques, group psychotherapy, and family systems methods, to name a few (Corey,

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