Key Concepts Of Existential Therapy

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The “Givens”
The key concept of Existential Therapy is that of the “givens”. It follows the idea that we all have inner conflicts with ourselves, which happens when interact with one of the “givens” of existence. “Givens” are inevitable conditions of life that we all have to experience at some point, it is an inseparable part of human existence. The theory says there are four primary “givens” in our life.

Liberty and associated responsibility
Death
Separation
Futility or Meaninglessness

A direct confrontation with any of these givens can make a person down spirited and anxious, which we commonly call anxiety. This anxiety and stress that happens due to the confrontation with the givens of life can make us mentally, physically, socially, …show more content…

The physical world
The social world
The mental world
The spiritual world

On each of these measurements, individuals experience the world and shape their disposition out of their own specific interpretation of experiences. Their perception of the world characterizes their existence and give an everlasting four-dimensional power field for their reality. Each of these worlds have their own unique conflict and special ways to resolve them.The first three dimensions were explained by Binswanger, while the fourth dimension was added by Van Deurzen in the light of Heidegger's description of “the other world”.

Physical World
In this dimension, people identify with their physical state of being and to the “givens” of the common world around them. Their perception in this dimension incorporates
The mundane things they are surrounded with (like their house)
The atmosphere and the climate
The articles and material belonging
The groups of other individuals, their own real …show more content…

While most individuals go for security on this measurement (through well-being and riches), life keeps bestowing them with lessons that such security is only impermanent.

Resolving Conflict
Perceiving our confinements and realizing that we are only a speck in this vast Universe can bring help in resolving the conflict.

Social World
In this part of the four worlds, people identify with others and collaborate with the general world around them.This dimension includes their perceptions of the society they live in, the community they belong to and the attitudes they bear towards people outside their own cultural group. Common patterns of behavior in this dimension include affection, empathy, competition, and cooperation.

Conflict
The dynamic conflicts in the social world are between acknowledgment and rejection, approval and disapproval, sociability and isolation. While some people blindly follow social groups in order to gain conformity, others prefer to live their lives in isolation.

Resolving

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