Lecture 10 existential psychotherapy
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Existential psychotherapy focuses on fundamental human experiences like death, freedom, relationships and finding meaning. It views people as responsible for making their own choices and finding their identity. Key influences include Viktor Frankl's logotherapy, Rollo May who applied existential philosophy to therapy, and Irvin Yalom who emphasized concerns with death, freedom, isolation and meaninglessness. Existential therapy aims to help clients through increased self-awareness and by addressing anxiety from confronting human realities rather than eliminating it.
Lecture 10 existential psychotherapy
- 1. Introduction to Counselling Kevin Standish
- 2. Learning Objectives Understand the development of existential therapy To define the core concepts of existential psychotherapy Outline its relevance today
- 3. Youtube: Pink Floyd Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6uaW ydVf7E
- 4. Pink Floyd - Time Ticking away the moments that make up the dull day You fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town Waiting for someone or something to show you the way Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today And then one day you find that ten years have got behind you… No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
- 5. Time, part II And you run and run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking… And racing around to come up behind you again The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older Shorter of breath and one day closer to death Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time Plans that either come to naught or a half page of scribbled lines Hanging on in a quiet desperation is the English way The time is gone the song is over, thought I'd something more to say Home, home again I like to be here when I can When I come home cold and tired It's good to warm my bones beside the fire Far away across the field The tolling of the iron bell Calls the faithful to their knees To hear the softly spoken magic spells
- 7. History Existential thinking has occurred throughout history. Exemplified by Augustine, Pascal, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche. Fundamental questions leading to the development of existential psychotherapy included: Where was the actual immediate person to whom these things were happening? Are we seeing clients as they really are, or are we simply seeing a projection of our theories about them?
- 8. History In 1958 existential psychotherapy introduced to the US with publication of Existence: A New Dimension in Psychiatry and Psychology by Rollo May, Ernest Angel, and Henri Ellenberger In 1981 Yalom published the first comprehensive textbook in existential psychiatry entitled Existential Psychotherapy
- 9. History Other Important Writings Rollo May’s The Meaning of Anxiety (1977); Man’s Search for Himself (1953); Existential Psychology (1961) James Bugental’s The Search for Existential Identity (1976) Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning (1963)
- 10. Introduction Existential psychotherapy is not a specific technique or set of techniques. It is more philosophical in nature Existential psychotherapy is a philosophy about human nature Proponents of existential psychotherapy have not advocated specific training institutes because its presupposition can underlie any form of therapy
- 11. Introduction In existential terms, the conflicts individuals experience are regarding the givens of existence From the existential perspective "deep" conflict means the most fundamental concern at that moment
- 12. Important Influences Victor Frankl Prisoner, Nazi Concentration Camps-1942-45- lost entire family; Spiritual freedom & independence of mind can be had in the worst situations; Essence lies in searching for meaning & purpose Rollo May American psychiatrist; many books on existential therapy, integrated psychoanalysis and existential therapy - He had two failed marriages- wrote extensively regarding questions of intimacy, monogamy, morals of relationships, studied with Adler Irvin Yalom: Therapy through Meaning, therapeutic love themes of existential work
- 13. Viktor Frankl Viktor Frankl's approach to existential theory is known as logotherapy.
- 14. Rollo May Rollo May has been instrumental in translating some concepts drawn from existential philosophy and applying them to psychotherapy.
- 15. Irvin Yalom According to Yalom, the concerns that make up the core of existential psychodynamics are death. freedom. isolation. meaninglessness. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73wVVNrDI4I&
- 16. Basic Concepts Existential psychotherapy is more philosophical in nature Existential psychotherapy is not a specific technique Focuses on issues central to human existence
- 17. Basic Concepts Existential therapy is basically an experiential approach to therapy It is based on a personal relationship between client and therapist. It stresses personal freedom in deciding one's fate. It places primary value on self-awareness.
- 20. View of Human Nature The basic dimensions of the human condition are … 1. The capacity for self-awareness 2. The tension between freedom & responsibility 3. The creation of an identity & establishing meaningful relationships 4. The search for meaning, purpose, and values of life 5. Accepting anxiety as a condition of living 6. The awareness of death and nonbeing
- 21. 1. The Capacity for Self- Awareness We can reflect and make choices because we are capable of self-awareness. Expanding our awareness in realizing that: We are finite - time is limited We have the potential, the choice, to act or not to act Meaning is not automatic - we must seek it We are subject to loneliness, meaninglessness, emptiness, guilt, and isolation
- 22. 2. Freedom and Responsibility The central issue in therapy is freedom and responsibility. A concept ultimately associated with freedom is assuming responsibility The existential concept of freedom refers to the fact that we are the authors of our own world The bridge between wishing and action is decision
- 23. Freedom and Responsibility We are free to choose among alternatives We are responsible for our lives, for our action, and for our failure to take action. Blaming others for their problems--- Recognize how they allowed others to decide for them and the price they pay Encourage them to consider the alternative options
- 24. We Cannot Escape Freedom and Responsibility Existential therapy is rooted in the premise that humans cannot escape from freedom and responsibility.
- 25. Freedom and Responsibility involves the notion that … our freedom requires us to accept responsibility for directing our own life. we are free to choose who we will be. they go hand in hand.
- 26. Question What are the possible reasons that people tend to blame others for their problems?
- 27. The Concept of “Bad Faith” The concept of "bad faith" refers to leading an inauthentic existence.
- 28. An Example of Bad Faith A example statement that illustrates "bad faith" is - naturally I'm this way, because I grew up in an alcoholic family.
- 30. Striving for Identity Identity is “the courage to be” We must trust ourselves to search within and find our own answers Our great fear is that we will discover that there is no core, no self Struggling with our identity: Challenging clients---in what ways that they have lost touch with their identity and letting others to design their life.
- 31. Relationship to others Aloneness We are alone---So, we must give a sense of meaning to life, decide how we will live, have a relationship with ourselves, and learn to listen to ourselves. Relatedness We need to create a close relationship with others Challenging clients----What they get from the relationship? How they avoid close relationship?
- 32. Relatedness can be Therapeutic Existentialists contend that the experience of relatedness to other human beings can be therapeutic.
- 34. Question What is the meaning or purpose of your life? What do you want from life? Where is the source of meaning for you in life?
- 35. The Search for Meaning Meaninglessness in life leads to emptiness and hollowness (existential vacuum) Existentialists believe that the major solution to meaninglessness is engagement Finding meaning in life is a by-product of engagement, which is a commitment to creating, loving, working, and building.
- 36. 5. Accepting Anxiety as a Condition of Living
- 37. Anxiety – A Condition of Living Existential therapists define anxiety as a threat to our existence Anxiety arises from one’s strivings to survive. If anxiety is proportionate to the situation confronted, existentialists would consider it normal anxiety In contrast to normal anxiety, neurotic anxiety is repressed unconscious impulses
- 38. Anxiety Existential anxiety is normal an outcome of being confronted with the four givens of existence: death, freedom, existential isolation, and meaninglessness. Anxiety can be a stimulus for growth as we become aware of and accept our freedom
- 39. Normal Anxiety According to May, freedom and anxiety are two sides of the same coin. Existential anxiety is seen as a function of our acceptance of our aloneness. From the existential viewpoint, the aim of therapy is NOT to eliminate anxiety so clients can live comfortably.
- 40. Existential Model of Anxiety Awareness of Ultimate Concern Anxiety Defenses
- 41. Existential Model of Anxiety Anxiety is more basic than fear. Anxiety arises from our personal need to survive, to preserve our being, and to assert our being. Normal anxiety is proportionate to the situation. It does not require repression and can be used for creativity. Neurotic anxiety exceeds or minimizes the situation, is repressed and destructive. (Normal anxiety is seen as proportionate to the situation involved. When the anxiety exceeds the situation present, it is considered neurotic.)
- 42. 6.The Awareness of Death and Nonbeing
- 43. Death According to the existential viewpoint, death gives significance to living.
- 44. Question If you had only have 30 days left, what would you feel? What will you do?
- 45. Awareness of Death Death provides the motivation for us to live our lives fully and take advantage of each opportunity to do something meaningful.
- 46. Ontology of Being The Basic “I-Am” Experience The "I-Am" experience is about being i.e., the realization of one’s being The term ontological means science of being (or the nature of being) Existentialists consider the "I am" experience as a precondition for a solution in life and feel that this is an ontological experience “I am now living and I could take my life” “The idea of suicide has saved my life many times.” Nietzsche
- 47. Six Ontological Principles 1. Humans are centered in self and derive meaning from that center. 2. Humans are responsible for mobilizing the courage to protect, affirm, and enhance the self. 3. People need other people with whom they can empathize and learn. 4. People are vigilant about potential dangers to self. 5. Humans can be aware of themselves thinking and feeling at one moment and may be aware of themselves as the person who thinks and feels in the next moment. 6. Anxiety originates out of awareness that one’s being can end.
- 48. Ontology Existential psychotherapy seeks a deeper and more discerning type of therapy The “I am” experience is not a solution in itself it is a precondition for a solution An ontological experience; Ontis = “to be” and Logical = “the science of” Nonbeing is illustrated in the experience of fear of death, destructive hostility, severe anxiety and critical illness
- 49. The Three Forms of Being-in-the-World 1. Umwelt – world around, biological world 2. Mitwelt – with world, world of one’s fellow human beings 3. Eigenwelt – own world; relationship to one’s self
- 50. Human Capacity to Transcend the Immediate Situation Transcend means “to climb over and beyond” Existing involves a continual emerging When an individual can move past a situation in order to move towards their future, it is said that the person has transcended the immediate situation
- 52. Existential Psychotherapy A form of dynamic psychotherapy Holds a different view of inner conflict Conflict is between the individual and the “givens” of existence termed ultimate concerns Death. Freedom. Isolation. Meaninglessness.
- 53. Existential Psychotherapy Death. The most obvious ultimate concern. “A terrible truth”. Conflict between awareness of death and desire to live. To cope we erect defenses against death awareness. Psychopathology in part is due to failure to deal with the inevitability of death.
- 54. Existential Psychotherapy Freedom Refers to the fact that humans are the authors of their own world We are responsible for our own choices Conflict is between groundlessness and desire for ground/structure Implications for therapy Responsibility Willing Impulsivity Compulsivity Decision
- 55. Existential Psychotherapy Isolation – The fact that we are isolated from parts of ourselves is termed intrapersonal isolation Intrapersonal isolation = Fact we are isolated from parts of ourselves A form of isolation that refers to the fact that each of us enters and departs the world alone is existential Existential isolation differs from Interpersonal isolation = Divide between self and others Intrapersonal isolation = Fact we are isolated from parts of ourselves
- 56. Existential Psychotherapy Meaninglessness Meaning creates hierarchal order of our values From a schema regarding the meaning of life an individual generates a hierarchy of values Tells us how to live not why to live Conflict stems from “How does a being who requires meaning find meaning in a universe that has no meaning?”
- 57. Existential Psychotherapy Existential Frame of Reference Specialness Despite rationality we often believe the laws of biology are not applicable to us Ultimate Rescuer Belief in a personal omnipotent servant to guard and protect us (To cope with ultimate concerns regarding death individuals will often use the defense mechanism of creating an ultimate rescuer)
- 58. Existential Psychotherapy Existentialists hypothesize that anxiety is the result of awareness of ultimate concerns. Ultimate concerns create experiences, which force us to confront an existential situation called boundary situations. An experience which forces an individual to confront an existential issue is known as a boundary situation. Examples might be diagnosis of a terminal illness or death of a family member or friend. Psychotherapy can address existential isolation. Jung suggested 30% of patients seek treatment because of personal meaninglessness.
- 59. Therapeutic Goals To expand self-awareness. To increase potential choices. To help the client accept the responsibility for their choice. To help the client experience authentic existence.
- 60. Therapist’s Function and Role Understand the client’s subjective world. Encourage clients to accept personal responsibility. When clients blame others, therapist is likely to ask them how they contributed to their situation.
- 61. A Prime Factor in Determining the Outcomes of Therapy The existential approach puts emphasis on the therapist as a person and the quality of the client/therapist relationship as one of the prime factors in determining the outcomes of therapy.
- 62. Client’s Experience in Therapy They are challenged to take responsibility. Major themes in therapy sessions are anxiety, freedom and responsibility, isolation, death, and the search for meaning. Assist client in facing life with courage, hope, and a willingness to find meaning in life.
- 63. Philosophically, the existentialist would agree that: the final decisions and choices rest with the client. people redefine themselves by their choices. a person can go beyond early conditioning. making choices can create anxiety.
- 64. Relationship Between Therapist and Client Therapy is a journey taken by therapist and client. The person-to-person relationship is key. The relationship demands that therapists be in contact with their own world. The core of the therapeutic relationship. Respect and faith in the clients’ potential to cope and discover alternative ways of being. Therapists share their reactions to clients with genuine concern and empathy as one way of deepening the therapeutic relationship.
- 65. Therapeutic techniques and procedures It is not technique-oriented. The interventions are based on philosophical views about the nature of human existence. Free for draw techniques from other orientations The use of therapist self is the core of therapy.
- 66. Subjective understanding of clients is primary In the existential approach subjective understanding of clients is primary and techniques are secondary. The term unfolding refers to the therapist's attempt to uncover with the patient what was there all along.
- 67. Questions Which populations is existential therapy particularly useful? Which issues is existential therapy particularly useful?
- 68. Application of Existential Psychotherapy. Existential therapy is especially appropriate for clients who are struggling with: Developmental crises. Identity in adolescents. Coping with disappointments in family and career Grief counseling. Coping with physical limitations as one ages. Low self confidence Feelings of inadequacy Stress / tension Social anxiety
- 69. From a multicultural perspective Contributions Applicable to diverse clients to search for meaning for life Be able to examine the behavior is influenced by social and cultural factors. Help clients to weigh the alternatives and consequences. Change external environment and recognize how they contribute
- 70. From a multicultural perspective Limitations Excessively individualistic. Ignore social factors that cause human problems. Even if clients change internally, they see little hope the external realities of racism or discrimination will change For many cultures, it is not possible to talk about self and self-determination apart from the context of the social network. Many clients expect a structured and problem-oriented approach instead of discussion of philosophical questions.
- 71. Pros Something to offer all counselors, Stresses self-determination, Accepting the personal responsibility, Provides perspective for understanding the value of anxiety and guilt, the role of death, and the creative aspects of being alone and choosing for oneself.
- 72. and Cons CONS: Lacks a systematic statement of principles and practices; writers use vague and global terms or abstract concepts; little research, limited applications for lower-functioning clients, clients in extreme crisis who need direction, those who are nonverbal.
- 74. short film of a cat with "existential despair." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M7ibPk37_U
- 75. Readings 1. McLeod J. (2009) An Introduction to Counselling. Chap 10 2. Corey, G. (2009) Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy.Chap 6 3. Colledge, R (2002) Mastering Counselling Theory chap 10 & 11 4.Dryden, W ( 2007) Dryden’s Handbook of Individual therapy. Chap 8 Advanced reading Jacobsen (2003) Is Gift-Giving the Core of Existential Therapy? Dryden (2007) chap 8
- 76. Advanced reading Jacobsen (2003) Is Gift-Giving the Core of Existential Therapy? Dryden (2007) chap 8 Yalom (2003) the gift of therapy Yalom (1980) existential psychotherapy Cooper, M (2003) Existential Therapies. (in dawson books)