The Pros And Cons Of Existentialism

Typically, when reporting the pros and cons of a particular issue an extensive literature review is necessary to ensure both sides are properly and equally documented. However, existentialism psychotherapy is representative of an atypical topic due to the significance placed upon self-awareness and self-insight not only for the client’s, but also for its practitioners. A cursory literature review revealed that proponents of existentialism provide both its positive benefits as well as the possible negative drawbacks faced when approaching mental first aid from the existentialist point of view.

The primary reason for a lack of techniques utilized in existentialism psychotherapy has to do with the way in which the therapist views human beings

138) and “that the student [of existentialism is] responsible for molding his or her own presuppositions in existential form” (May & Yalom, 2017, p. 11) treatment provided will vary from therapist to therapist. May and Yalom (2017) further state that while “a substantial proportion of practicing psychotherapists consider themselves existentially (or “humanistically”) oriented, few, if any, have received any systematic training in existential therapy” (p. 18). This inconsistency presents a problem because “the therapist’s perceptual system is affected by her or his ideological system (Frankl, 1967, p. 138). What this means is that if the therapist approaches treatment from a flawed philosophical view or a distorted moral or value belief system then everything that follows will be

To accomplish these the therapist uses “what” and “how” questions rather than “why” questions. In practical terms and for use in a group setting that seeks self- actualization this may involve group members facing their emotional pains and fears by openly expressing what ails them so as to bring their level of awareness from an unconscious level to one of consciousness. The use of empathic confrontation is one way that a skilled group leader can achieve this. In this manner, the leader assists the group members in not only mastering their emotional pains and fears, but also to honor and respect them for making the individual stronger. Additionally, the group leader can promote universality and group cohesiveness when he or she reports openly to the group any connections found amongst its members. This can help the group’s members to recognize that their once thought individual held dilemmas are not as unique as they