A Critical Analysis Of Two Counselling Theories : Existential Therapy And Psychoanalytic Therapy

A phenomenological focus in existential counselling relates to the degree in which a therapist attempts to stay with the lived experiences of the client (Spinelli, 1989). The phenomenological method, as explained by Spinelli (1989), has a foundation of three main rules to guide the therapist. The first rule of ‘epoche’, recommends putting aside any prejudices and biases, as well as expectations or pre-conceived judgements that may arise when interacting with a client (Spinelli, 1989). This often requires the use of bracketing. Spinelli, highlights that completely bracketing perspectives is impossible (Cooper, 2003), However, the main factor relates to a willingness to bracket perspectives. For example, in the “Love’s Executioner”, Yalom (2012, p. 3) describes having disbelief that his client of seventy years could be in love but attempts to bracket this thought by maintaining objectivity throughout the encounter. The second rule called description, involves a focus on description over explanation (Cooper, 2003). Therapists are recommended to avoid theories and explanations of the experience, instead making a focus of staying with the lived experience as it actually is (Spinelli, 1989). For example, in “The Wrong One Died”, Yalom (2012, p. 90) avoids an explanation of what his clients dream means, in favour of asking the client to describe the feelings that arose throughout the

Existential therapy would focus on each person as a unique individual as well as their decisions that have shaped their lives. Responsibility would be patient to would take responsibility for their decisions to create the present and future they desired. The existentialists’ is more attentive to internal details that will help the client to find philosophical meaning despite bouts of anxiety, opt to reason and act genuinely and mindfully despite life’s four guarantees, or “givens” of freedom (of choice), isolation, meaninglessness and, ultimately death. (Yalom, 1980). Only through authentic living, free will, and accepting responsibility will humanity be able to draw motivation from these existential conditions. Assuming the belief that people's problems come not exercising to the full extent one’s judgment or free will--or well enough--to forge meaning in their lives and that each of us has the responsibility for making meaning out of life. Outside forces, however, may underwrite "the individual's limited ability to exercise choice and live a meaningful life. "

This essay is about comparing and contrasting two out of the eight personality theories commonly used to decipher one’s personality. Those two are the psychoanalytic perspective and the existential/humanistic perspective. Both perspectives are equally important as they play a major role in understanding personality in different ways and explaining them as well. Freud’s psychoanalysis helps us to understand the individual’s personality from its early years right up to adulthood while existential and humanistic theorists postulate the interpretation that personality changes throughout the lifetime. The contents of this essay include the comparing and contrasting between the structure, concepts, methods, theorists, and strengths

My top five theories are Gestalt, Reality, Person Centered, Existential and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Within these five theories my top five aspects that I would like to incorporate into my own personal model of counseling is as follows: 1.) From Gestalt therapy I would incorporate staying with the feeling and use experiments along with internal dialogue exercises (Corey, 2013). The aspect of getting to the root of unfinished business in regards to impasse is appealing in regards to this theory as well as the idea that it moves the client to a place where they are more confident asking for help (Corey, 2013) 2.) From the Reality Therapy approach I would incorporate the WDEP technique (Corey, 2013). I feel that it is of the most importance to recognize what one wants from his or her life and to be able to verbalize and have an action based, planned path that moves one towards the goal (Corey, 2013). 3.) From the Person Centered Approach I would incorporate genuineness, unconditional positive regard and accurate empathic understanding (Corey, 2013). In regards to the therapeutic process when working with people in crisis I believe this model is most effective (Corey, 2013). 4.) From an Existential Therapy approach I would incorporate the aspect of guiding the client to a place of awareness. I believe being aware of why one is not living their life fully is very important to moving a person toward making choices that will get them to a life that is more authentic to who

Existential psychotherapy is a dynamic, philosophical approach to therapy that is based on the premise that an individual’s conflict within is due to their concerns with the givens of existence (Yalom, 1980). These givens, or ultimate concerns as noted by Yalom (1980), are inescapable properties that are part of the human existence in the world: meaninglessness, freedom (and its associated responsibility), isolation, and the inevitability of death. Confrontation with these givens can result in existential anxiety (Corey, 2009).

The approach focuses on experience and meaning of human capacity to be (Jacobson, 2006; Pitchford, 2009). To exist authentically, people must engage with the situation in which they find themselves at the same time separate from it (Heidegger, 1927/2008). The Existential perspective sees life events as opportunities rather than mere disruption or inconveniences. An extreme event such as sexual abuse is an opportunity for growth and transformation (Jacobson, 2006; Pitchford,

What is Existential therapy? Existential therapy is a philosophical approach to therapy that focuses on the meaning of our existence and the basic premise that we are what we choose to be. It is an approach that focuses on inner conflict within a person based on the four givens (death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness). The existential tradition seeks an overall balance between limited dimensions and one’s opportunities in life. The limitations are the four givens and the possibilities are your creation of your own life. The current focus of the existential approach is on the individual’s experience of being in the world alone and facing the anxiety of this isolation, as stated in our textbook (Corey, 2016).

However, contemporary existential theorists and practitioners believe it is changing or has changed, with a broader focus on in-depth inquiry with implications for social change (Schneider, 2011). Another core weakness of existential therapy is its focus on self-determination, which may not fully consider the complex issues relating to oppression of the individual. Additionally, many clients may expect a more problem-centered approach to counseling offering a more structured approach than existential therapy typically

Gestalt therapy is derived from a combination of Psychoanalysis and Existentialism. This therapy aims and fostering self-awareness in a client in order to offer enhanced control over their daily lives by concentrating on the source of a person’s feelings and actions (Lecture 4, 2016). The Gestalt Therapy Page is sponsored by The Gestalt Journal Press and is constantly altered with more resources added. This website provides materials that are copyrighted, but are able to be downloaded for one’s personal use and reference. However, if one desires to distribute, whether electronically or printed, the resources and graphics, one must first acquire permission from The Gestalt Therapy Page.

Existential therapy through the eyes of Dr. Yalom is very fascinating. There is never a fixed life that each person is supposed to live. In his therapy the clients are allowed to find out for themselves what it is they need by receiving adequate questioning from Dr. Yalom. His questioning guides them down the existential path to freedom and responsibility.

This paper investigates the relationship between fundamental conceptions and considerations of several major theories that personally resonate with me. Included in these resonating theories, I will discuss how Existential Psychotherapy, Person Centered Therapy (PCT), Gestalt, and Cognitive- Behavior therapy (CBT) can be equally supplemental when respected as harmonizing functions in a more comprehensive integrative therapeutic methodology. Through research, classes, and life experience I have developed a viewpoint that fits my personality and personal style. It can be reasoned that existential therapy, defined as a phenomenological philosophy of humanness answers the more profound questions of meaning, fits well with PCT that centers itself

In the psychodynamic model, mental disorders are the sign of psychological conflicts that originate in our childhood experiences and affect our functioning as adults (Gleitman, 2004). An emotional past is thought to produce unconscious conflicts resulting in their symptoms. Although its precursors can be traced back to Mesmer and the work of Breuer, psychodynamic approaches to abnormal behaviour truly began with Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) and his free association theory. The psychodynamic approach was the first psychological approach to gain acceptance, and its aim is to produce a change in client’s behaviour. With his free association hypothesis as his most important technique for treatment, Freud allowed clients to drift back in time and slowly bring into consciousness the repressed feelings, enabling them to deal with them in a rational way (Holmes, 1998).

This case study illustrates Ruth being the client. This provides background information about Ruth includes the presenting problem, the history of presenting problem and the psychosocial history. The key concepts, the therapeutic process, the therapeutic relationship, therapist function and roll comes from the three theories Gestalt, Existential and Adlerian. The case identifies and describe goals that would be established for Ruth using all three theories. This case study applies detailed techniques from Gestalt and Adlerian also providing specific examples of Ruth participating in the different techniques. Such as advice, catching oneself, lifestyle assessment, encouraging, task setting and commitment, future projection, empty chair and

During a lifetime, most individuals question the meaning of their existence at one point or another. Existential therapy aims to help individuals find purpose, have better defined goals, and live life to the fullest. Existential therapy takes into account cultural, social and political values of the client. It attempts to help the client live more deliberately, while accepting life’s unpredictable challenges and contradictions. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is complementary to existential therapy by providing techniques to help clients make changes once their awareness is increased through existential discovery. Existential therapy

Existentialist ideas are brought into the therapeutic process as hermeneutics; the methods of interpretation of personal meanings which enable the therapist to better understand the client’s issues in living.R By working through a multiple of universal aspects of what it is to be human a client is helped to seek new ways of living.