The Dynamic Psychotherapy

“I knew you were in a lot of pain from the break-up, so I didn’t want you to be paranoid on top of that. I never intend to increase anything upon anyone in a negative way, so I thought that waiting would be best for your health.”

“ Are you sure you don’t need to get a therapist,” she said “ I know you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed with your Uncle’s death and everything going on He could feel her eyes

Therapist: I heard your anger and fear in the words you said. I also saw similarities in the words you expressed about your father and the words you used to describe how you felt with me. You see me as a couch who you want to please just like you picture your father. What do you think about what I just said?

Therapists that use existential therapy prefer description, understanding, and exploration of the client’s subjective reality, as opposed to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis (Deurzen, 2002). Vontress 2013, says that existential therapists prefer to be thought of as philosophical companions. Sá Pires, 2016, says that existential therapy is simply based on the encounter with another being in the world. So that a therapist can encourage the adolescent to strengthen self-concept, the therapist needs to put themselves in their position. Being sincere can benefit the therapists, as it encourages the adolescent to trust the therapist. “A primary ground rule of existential work is the openness to the individual creativity of the therapist and the client” (Corey, 2015, p.150). Deurzen, 2010, points out that the existential practitioner’s interventions are responsive to the uniqueness of each client. As trust builds, the therapist will witness the client opening up. Also according to Sá Pires, 2016, a person’s context is not ignored, or put aside, but is respected and accepted as part of that person’s way of being-in-the-world, as experienced by them. To simply put it, the therapy focuses on the person as a whole and unique individual.

Stan was on time for his appointment and appeared adequately groomed. He read the chapter about masculine socialization and part of the section struck him with one of his childhood memory.

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

The humanistic/existential model uses different types of therapy to reach its goals. But all of the types of therapies agree on one thing, they focus on the client and not the symptoms. The humanistic aspect focuses on acceptance and growth, and the existential aspect focuses on responsibility and freedom. The problems are looked at as the result of the inability to be able to make meaningful and self-directed choices in your life. Thus, the treatments are focused on increasing the patient’s self-awareness and self-understanding.

Paula: "I am not really sure; I have been struggling with my personal life, and not sure if counseling is for me. Also, at the same time, I am finding it hard to want to continue living like this."

Existential therapists view themselves as companions; not someone who is going teach and lead the individual to change because they view therapy as a journey client and therapist go through together. Each learning from one another and each having the same room and opportunity for growth. Van Deurzen explains “these practitioners prefer description, understanding, and exploration of the client’s subjective reality, as opposed to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis” (as cited in Cory, 2013, p. 157). Meaning therapy is one example of an existential technique that incorporates evidence-based practices. Meaning therapy equips therapists with principles that help them empower clients to face their personal struggles, seek meaning in their life, and the tools to overcome those blocks preventing them from true happiness (Wong, 2010, p. 92). Even though therapists may borrow techniques from other models it is not a technique-oriented approach which is the complete opposite of CBT; “this is an active, directive, time-limited, present-centered, psychoeducational, structured therapy” (Cory, 2013, p. 485).

Existential therapy help client face anxiety and engage in action that will create a worthy existence which will lead the clients in taking responsibility for their actions. Existential therapy addresses human pain by helping clients to understanding the pain and to find ways to alleviate the pain. I believe Existential therapeutic goal are realistic and attainable, because there are three key areas in existential therapy: freedom, meaning, and anxiety that clients can work

He stood up 3 quarters of the meeting with his arms folded and disregarded what I was saying and said in a nutshell I’m not a behaviour therapist so what do I know.

Therapist Dan: “How are you feeling today? Have you thought about what we discussed last week?”

"I’ve definitely had my fair share of, like, dramatic relationships. Honestly, this is like the most calm and it’s like, nope, we’re still together. We’re happy. There’s just nothing to really report on."

Jane: I used to love school. Lately though, it has just felt like a chore. It wears me out and I can’t focus in class.

One thing that I have realized about my father’s odd psychology is that he stresses it when it comes to school. He always wanted me to get the best grades during my earlier education, but when it came to checking on my progress, it was as if he didn’t care at all. He just wanted to see that end result without being involved in the struggle part in the middle. I remember a time when I