Existential Therapy

Existential Therapy Existential therapy helps people who has uncertainties, anxiety depression, grieve and depression. Problems can distract a person life and essential of living. Sometimes it is hard to become stable possessing core cognitions, cognitive distortions thoughts and feeling on how a person views the world and themselves, which points out low self-esteem. Cognitive distortions are mainly negative thoughts of self, guiltiness that leads to uncertainties emotions and actions. Cognitive behavior focuses on results reinforcements and monitor behaviors. Existential therapy enables people to change and become aware and self actualized. “ Existential therapy is suitable for people who are open to new ideas and seeking greater meaning in their lives, especially for people who are struggling with suffering of loss, disabilities, illness, anxiety and depression” (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010). In the above paragraphs existential therapy will be define through the history of the development of the therapy, the beliefs on which it is based, the important contributors or practitioners of the therapy, the theory of helping, the relationship between the helper and the clients, some techniques or approaches developed. The kinds of problems addresses, multicultural issues in using these approaches and research finding on the theory.
According to Seligman, and Reichenberg (2010) Existential Therapy is more like philosophy than that of any other treatment that can be considered. The text states that because of wars and other events that have happened over the years anxiety has stricken. The fear of death and loneliness is common and this is what this particular type of therapy is geared toward. Existential Therapy covers not only “death, but suffering love and meaning as well” (Seligman, & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 170). There were several people involved in the development of the Existential Therapy. One of the most influential was Viktor Frankl. This

References: Seligman,, L., & Reichenberg, L. W. (2010). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Systems, Strategies, and Skills (3rd ed.). : Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Bily, Susan Jean (2003). An inquiry into the role of existential philosophy in the practice of existential psychotherapy. Psy.D. dissertation, Alliant International University, San Diego, United States -- California. Retrieved May 25, 2010, from Dissertations & Theses: Full Text.(Publication No. AAT 3073423). Rettger, John, M.A. (2006). Existential Group Work in Adult Substance Abuse Populations. Retrieved on May 29, 2010 from http://www.transpersonalstuff.org Fernando, Delini M. (2007). Existential theory and solution-focused strategies: Integration and application. (PAPER). Journal of Mental Health Counseling/July 01, 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2010 from http://www.accessmylibrary.com Mulhauser, Greg MD. (2010). Counseling Resource. An Introduction to Existential Counseling. Retrieved May 29, 2010 from http://counsellingresource.com/types/existential/index.html