What is Existential Therapy and How it Works to Reduce your Anxiety
Do you ever find yourself wondering why you even exist? What is the purpose of it all? Does it then lead to overwhelming worry or anxiety? Existential therapy might be the one answer for all these questions that have no answers, and may help to reduce your anxiety when it arises.
Life is a funny thing and quite the athlete - loving to throw curveballs at you, usually when you least expect it. These curveballs create uncertainties and challenges, often leading to moments when we're left contemplating the meaning and essence of our existence. These then can lead to big questions that often times don’t have answers, often creating internal turmoil and at times, anxiety.
When this becomes overwhelming - or as an addition to other therapy techniques - existential therapy can be a grounding source. So what does that mean exactly? In short, existential therapy is not your “typical” therapy session you may have experienced before or seen in the media; it's a philosophical exploration into the depths of what it means to be human. During this process, you don't avoid life's absurdities; you’ll embrace your big questions, and find your own way to navigate through the complexities of life with meaning and intention.
So What is Existential Therapy?
Existential therapy is more than a therapeutic method or model - it’s an exploration to find understanding and engagement with aspects of human existence as a whole. Its focus on free will, self-determination, and the search for meaning, allows space for you to dive into your inner world, creating enhanced self-discovery and a way to finally engage with the messiness of life, tackle those persistent questions, and find fulfillment, meaning, and purpose.
Philosophical Roots
Existential therapy at its core is a philosophical and humanistic approach born from the philosophers and great minds of Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Viktor Frankl.
Let's take a brief look at the minds of these existential philosophers who laid the groundwork for existential therapy:
Kierkegaard (1813-1855):
o Kierkegaard championed individual choice and subjectivity and thought to be the “father of existentialism.” In the therapy room, we use these ideas to explore your unique, subjective experiences, focusing on the choices you have made that has shaped your life.
Nietzsche (1844-1900):
o Nietzsche is the developer of “eternal recurrence” aka - living a life you’d love to and gladly relive. He was also big on "will to power" - aka the desire for self-overcoming, self-expression, and pursuing excellence. In more modern terms, this is all about empowerment and authenticity, self mastery and reaching potentials/goals. In session, this may look like identifying your values and helping you find self-responsibility to live in line with your values.
Sartre (1905-1980):
o According to Sartre, "existence precedes essence." Meaning, you create your personal nature or the set of attributes that make human beings what they fundamentally are through your own personal choices and actions. Existential Therapy also emphasized personal responsibility and the freedom to define your own existence.
Frankl (1905-1997):
o Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and author, brought the "search for meaning" to light. Even in the face of suffering, finding purpose is the key to our ability to keep going. We use this in therapy as a way of highlighting meaning as a way to find mental well-being.
Here is a list of books by Frankl you may find helpful or inspiring.
Existential Concepts Simplified
Freedom and Responsibility:
o It's all about the freedom to be while understanding freedom comes with responsibility. You will learn to recognize the consequences (both positive and negative) of the choices you make and the freedom to take charge of your life.
Authenticity:
o Authenticity is a core concept in Existential Therapy, drawing from the existentialist idea of living in accordance with one's true self. Exploring and expressing your authentic thoughts, feelings, and values is crucial in existential exploration. It’s about learning the masks you wear for the world and slowing removing them to help you explore and express the real you. - (click here for more about emotional masks).
Search for Meaning:
o The search for meaning is a prominent theme in existential therapy. In session, you are invited to explore your values, passions, and what brings a sense of purpose and meaning to your life and any barriers that may be present that keeps you from living n line with your passions and values.
Anxiety and Death:
o Existentialist thinkers often struggle with anxiety of mortality, but you don’t have to consider yourself an existentialist to have these struggles! Existential work helps you face the anxiety, explore it, develop understanding of it, and using it as fuel for change. It's about living a life filled with greater purpose and meaning by acknowledging the inevitability of death.
The Absurd:
o Life can be absurd (wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate). Our search for meaning against the backdrop of a seemingly meaningless and absurd universe can be a challenge but extremely helpful. You can increase your ability to recognize life's absurdities while receiving encouragement to find your own meaning.
The Therapeutic Process
Existential Therapy revolves around key concepts mentioned above. Therapists work with clients to explore their unique ways of being in the world, helping them confront existential dilemmas and find purpose in their lives. They guide clients in exploration around themes of freedom, responsibility, isolation and meaning. This often looks like facing anxieties by thinking and acting responsibly and confronting internal dialogues rather than focusing on external factors. This may involve looking at past experiences, current values, and your relationship with yourself and others. Therapists support clients in identifying and expressing genuine thoughts, feelings, and desires. This goal is to foster a sense of alignment with your true, authentic self. During the process, your therapist will also help you identify and create meaning and sense of fulfillment in your life, even in the midst of challenge and difficulty.
The goal: To make more willful decisions about how to live, drawing on creativity and love, instead of letting outside events determine one's behavior.
Existentialism in real life
Coping with a Career Change:
o Imagine facing a major career shift that has left you feeling uncertain and overwhelmed. An Existential Therapist can provide support by delving deep into your values, fears, and dreams, ultimately helping you to navigate the uncertainties and make choices that align with your true self, leading to a more fulfilling and authentic professional path.
Finding Meaning in Loss:
o In the depths of grief after losing a loved one, Existential Therapy provides a space to confront life and death questions. Therapists guide you in finding meaning amid sorrow, fostering a transformative journey toward acceptance.
Navigating a Relationship Crossroads:
o Imagine a couple facing a crossroads in their relationship. An Existential Therapist might delve into their individual values, fears, and aspirations, helping them authentically communicate and make choices aligned with their evolving selves. The focus is on navigating the uncertainties of the relationship with honesty and responsibility.
Reclaiming Identity Post-Divorce:
o Picture someone going through a divorce and feeling a loss of identity. In Existential Therapy, the therapist supports this individual in examining the essence of their being beyond the roles they played in the marriage. It's a journey of self-discovery, embracing the freedom to redefine oneself and find purpose outside the confines of the past relationship.
Facing Existential Anxiety in Young Adulthood:
o For a young adult experiencing existential anxiety about the future, Existential Therapy provides a space to confront uncertainties. The therapist assists in transforming anxiety into a catalyst for positive change, encouraging the individual to make choices that align with their authentic self and aspirations.
Finding Meaning in Chronic Illness:
o Consider an individual dealing with a chronic illness, struggling with the meaning of their existence. Existential Therapy becomes a haven for exploring questions of mortality, identity, and the search for meaning amid health challenges. The therapist supports the individual in creating a narrative that incorporates their illness into a broader life story.
Coping with Existential Despair in Late Adulthood:
o In the later stages of life, existential despair may surface. An Existential Therapist works with individuals to reflect on the life they've lived, acknowledging both achievements and regrets. This therapeutic journey involves finding meaning in the face of life's limitations, fostering a sense of completeness and acceptance.
These examples illustrate the versatility of Existential Therapy across various life scenarios and a therapeutic approach that provides a framework for individuals to explore their unique existence, make authentic choices, and find meaning in the complexities of life.
Embrace the Messiness of Being Human
Existential Therapy doesn’t dodge life's difficulties; it faces them head on with courage and a quest for meaning. As you navigate life's ups and downs, existentialism empowers you to find your own answers, build resilience and a deep connection with the human experience. You're invited to get out of the backseat and take the wheel of your own existence. To face life's challenges with found resilience and purpose. To realize, t's your own unique story to tell. It’s time to live it and tell it.
Therapy can help
If you feel like you’re getting stuck along the way or want more guided support, it may be time to seek a consultation with a therapist. Contact Real Well Therapy here or call 512-686-7009.
Want to learn more about how anxiety therapy can help you? Click here!
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Disclaimer: the information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for professional consultation. If you are experiencing emotional distress, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional.
