Existential

Question 1

What are the existential philosophies?

Answer 1

Focus on nature of human condition:
- capacity for self-awareness
- freedom of choice to decide one’s fate
- responsibility
- anxiety
- search for meaning
- being alone & being in relation w/ others
- striving for authenticity
- facing living & dying

Question 2

What are the existential goals?

Answer 2

• Help ppl see they are free & become aware of possibilities
• Challenge them to recognise responsible for events formerly thought were happening to them
• Identify factors that block freedom

Question 3

What are the existential techniques?

Answer 3

• Few techniques b/c prioritise understanding over technique
• Can incorporate techniques from other approaches

Issues addressed:
- freedom & responsibility
- isolation & relationships
- meaning & meaninglessness
- living & dying

Question 4

What are existential key concepts?

Answer 4

• Experiential approach to counselling: stresses core human conditions
• Interest on the present & what one is becoming
• Has future orientation
• Stresses self-awareness before action

Question 5

What is the existential therapeutic relationship like?

Answer 5

• Therapist’s tasks: grasp clients’ being in the world and establish personal & authentic encounter w/ them
• Stresses immediacy of relationship and authenticity of here & now encounter