Existential Therapy Strengths

Weaknesses Despite existential therapy possessing a number of strengths, there are also a number of weaknesses that come with this approach to therapy. Firstly, one of the most prevalent criticisms of this approach is that it does not possess a systematic statement of principles and practices of psychotherapy (Corey, 2013). So, one of the things that allows this method of therapy to be so successful is also one of its greatest detractors. Existential therapy allows for therapists to draw from any other form of therapy that they may need to utilize, and assemble techniques from all forms of therapy in order to provide patients with the greatest level of care; however, there is not a systematic method laid out within existential therapy –

For example, terms used within existential therapy like self-actualization or dialogic encounter are viewed as very vague and global term (Corey, 2013). The use of vague and global terms within existential therapy can cause a great deal of trouble, especially when it comes to researching specific areas within existential therapy (Corey, 2013). In addition to the vagary of terms, the concepts within existential therapy can often be difficult to grasp – they come across as lofty and elusive (Corey, 2013). According to Corey (2013), “It is assumed that techniques follow understanding. The fact that few techniques are generated by this approach makes it essential for practitioners to develop their own innovative procedures or to borrow from other schools of therapy” (p. 166). These concerns are coupled with the fact that many practitioners much prefer to have a counseling practice that has empirical evidence to support it, along with having operational definitions, and finally testable hypotheses for their concepts (Corey, 2013). In this respect, existential therapy is very weak, especially when considering that many existential therapists believe the therapeutic process cannot be measured and evaluated in a quantitative or empirical manner at all (Corey,