Many have said that we as Christians should be just that, “simply Christian,” adding nothing else to what we claim. However, I am not sure as to how possible this ideal is, as well intentioned as it may be. One may be an American Christian, a charismatic Christian, or a post-modern Christian. For the most part, these descriptors are just that descriptors. Most often I find these titles simply describe the mindset and system of thought that the person may operate with in the margins, or natural tendencies of the individual in their thinking. While they may understand their pre-supposition, most often they cant seem to escape certain modes of thinking. Existentialism is a case in point. In many circles, this can be a loaded word. Everyone …show more content…
They are often accused of extreme internalization of the text, to the detriment of the original meaning of the author, however with Soren’s brand of existentialism, this is not the case. He was not completely opposed to biblical scholarship in its entirety, but recognized that a historical understanding of the text could only “approximate” an understanding of the pericope at hand. He wondered how those who, for instance, would interpret Paul with no inference to the historical Paul, could truly put himself in the place of the text and incorporate it into one’s life. However, Kierkegaard rejects any hermeneutic methodology whose end goal is the determination of the authors original intent; rather the end goal the methodology should be the appropriation of the authors intent. That is, when it comes to some subjective truth (whosoever believes in him shall have eternal life) it doesn’t matter in the immediate life of the adherent if it is not appropriated into their …show more content…
It goes by a number of different names, some stressing certain steps of the theory, but more often just different names referring to the same thought process. These range form existential psychotherapy, existential analysis, and to the most common, logotherapy. The term existential analysis has continued to be used, and appears to refer to a different aspect of Viktor Frankl’s theory and method than logotherapy. Tweedie notes that “these terms are nearly synonymous and refer to two facets of the same theory.” Existential psychotherapy is best described as a philosophical approach that influences a therapist’s practice. Logotherapy is derived form two Greek words, the first of which is Logos. The general meaning of this word is “a word, a saying, a statement; reason, the mental faculty of thinking, calculation.” The second word is therapeia (which is form therapeuo), meaning “service rendered by one to another;” specifically, “medical service, curing, healing. . .” In essence logotherapy is healing through meaning, or therapy through meaning. Frankl
The four fundamental ‘givens’ of existence that Yalom posits within Existential therapy are: the freedom to make our lives as we will (Freedom & Responsibility), our ultimate aloneness (Isolation), the inevitability of death (Death), and absence of meaning of life (Meaninglessness). ‘Two Smiles’ presents an ongoing theme of
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
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.
The therapist attempted to take an Existential approach with the client. The therapist aimed to make the client aware of her anxiety that she described as worry or being a
According to this therapy, since we are the author of our lives, we control the pathway we follow in life. As a human being, we are motivated and eager to create our identity, seek our purpose in life and create a meaningful lasting relationship with others. Existential therapy discusses all of these elements and adds that the importance of our existence is not indefinite, instead we are continually recreating ourselves, searching and making sense of our existence (Corey,
“Existential therapy is a process of searching for the value and meaning in life” “(Corey, p. 131) with a focus on central concerns of the person’s existence; Such as death, freedom, existential isolation and meaningless. “Existential therapy can best be described as a philosophical approach that influences a counselor’s therapeutic practice” (Corey, p. 131). Founders of Existential Therapy include Soren Kagarra, Fredrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger and Martin Buber. They employed the humanistic approach. The contributing
“Existentialism is a 20th century philosophy concerned with human existence, finding self, and the meaning of
An Existential approach is the foundation argued in the therapist’s therapeutic orientation. In this interaction, Mike provides ideas with existential implications to which he often does in therapy. The therapist attempts to continue the theme with ideas of philosophy and philosophical readings which did not hold Mike’s interest. The intention of this sessions was to integrate an existential exercise, but the therapist did not introduce it now. It is considered to be a missed opportunity to invoke more existential thinking and exploration for Mike.
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
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.
Among these therapeutic approaches are the psychodynamic approach and the existential approach. An example of existential approach psychotherapy is the person-centred therapy that was introduced by Carl Rogers in the 1940s. Person-centred therapy (PCT) focuses on the quality of the person-to-person therapeutic relationship; it places faith and gives responsibility to the client in dealing with problems and concerns (Corey, 2009, p. 30). On the other hand, for the psychodynamic approach, Sigmund Freud, the core founder of this approach developed psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a therapy aimed to treat mental disorder. It is a set of techniques for treating the unconscious causes of mental disorders; as well as to explain the underlying factors of how human personality and abnormality develop from childhood (Corey, 2009, p. 30). This paper examines the similarities and differences between psychoanalytic therapy and
Existential psychotherapy is a dynamic approach to therapy which focuses on concerns that are rooted in the individual’s existence. Existential psychotherapy is a form of dynamic psychotherapy. The psychodynamics of an individual thus include the various unconscious and conscious forces, motives, and fears that operate within him or her. The dynamic psychotherapies are therapies based upon this dynamic model of mental functioning. Existential therapy is based on a radically different view of the specific forces, motives, and fears that interact in the individual. The precise nature of the deepest internal conflicts is never easy to identify. To identify the primary conflicts, one must use many avenues of access; deep reflection, dreams, nightmares,
For an approach to be labeled as existential, it is essential that the cultural, social, political, and ideological context be taken into account. Themes such as relationships, finding meaning, anxiety, suffering, and death are concerns that transcend the boundaries that separate cultures. Clients in existential therapy are encouraged to examine ways their present existence is being influenced by social and cultural factors (Corey,
We live in a world marked by a culture of death. the constant manifetations of ruptures with one itself as lonelines, sadness, with no sence, unstopping search of false
While writing a paper on existential and behavioral therapy, I found myself agreeing with concepts represented in both methods. Existential therapy is appealing because of its focus on encouraging the client to take responsibility for their actions. Viktor Frankl, a psychologist who made a considerable contribution to existential therapy, once said, “Freedom is only part of the story and half the truth … That is why I recommend that the Statute of Liberty on the East Coast be supplanted by a Statute of Responsibility on the West Coast.” I think that it is dangerous to consider yourself a “victim” and that you aren’t accountable for your actions. I agree with the importance of understanding environmental factors and how it affects how a person processes information. Viktor