The Existential Approach To Groups

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The Existential Approach to Groups The Existential Approach to Groups When I had to choose the topic of my term paper I couldn’t be more ecstatic to talk about existentialism and the existential approach in therapy. I believe this is not only an important subject to explore but is a learning experience in itself. According to Corey (2008) existential therapy can be best considered as a way of thinking rather than as a particular style of practicing group therapy. It is not a separate school or neatly defined, systematic model with specific therapeutic techniques. Rather it is more appropriate to speak of existential psychotherapies (Cooper, 2003 Walsh & McElwain, 2002). Yalom (1980) defined existential psychotherapy as a dynamic approach to therapy which focuses on concerns that are rooted in the individual’s existence. The existential approach is a dynamic approach that focuses four ultimate concerns that are rooted in the human existence: death, freedom, existential isolation and meaninglessness (Yalom, 1980). Existential therapy is founded on the premise that we are free and therefore responsible for our choices and actions. We are the leaders of our lives and we need to find experiences that will give them meaning. One of the basic existential premises is that we are responsible of our actions, we are not victims of our circumstances and we are what we choose to be every day. One of the goals in the existential therapeutic process is to make the clients aware and to challenge them find alternatives way of making those choices and choose among themselves. According to Deurzen (2002) existential therapy is ultimately a process of exploring clients’ values and beliefs that give meaning to living. The basic task of the therapist is to help the clients figure out what they are most serious about and to pursue a direction in life that will take them to
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