Existential Counseling Essay

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Running Head: EXISTENTIAL COUNSELING 1 An Analysis of Existential Therapy from a Counseling Perspective Mark Oliver University of Houston – Clear Lake Running Head: EXISTENTIAL COUNSELING 2 Abstract Existential theory is derived from the existential philosophy movement of the nineteenth century. There were several individuals instrumental in the development of existential therapy including Bugental, Frankl, May, and Yalom. It is not a concise theory but is a loose collection of theories centering on the meaning or purpose of life. However it is applicable to counseling because of its focus on the meaning of life which promotes clients well-being. The main therapeutic techniques are: Logotherapy, the “I-thou model”, and the self-in-world concept. However since existential counseling is not a technique driven therapy, techniques from other therapies can be used effectively with an existential therapeutic focus. It appears applicable to a wide variety of counseling situations in which clients are seeking to resolve issues concerning the ultimate ‘meaning of life’ and does focus on the collaborative nature of the counselor – client relationship. Running Head: EXISTENTIAL COUNSELING 3 Existential therapy or counseling is classified as a humanistic theory by Maslow due to its focus on helping people achieve their full potential in life (Maddi, 1978). It is viewed more as an attitudinal or philosophical approach to counseling rather than a theory of therapy because it is loosely based on existential philosophy and it is not tied to any particular therapeutic technique (Sharf, 2004). Broadly defined, existential therapy encourages clients to develop a full comprehension of their personal meaning of life and purpose of existence in the universe (Frankl, 1997; Yalom, 1980). It is suggested that a counselor develop his or her own
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