What’s that mean? A series: The Existential Approach

Existentialism is one of my favorite approaches to stack on top of the Person-Centered perspective because it allows you to lead the way, without the pressure of figuring out where you’re supposed to be going. Existential therapy sounds pretty dramatic, and… existential, but what it really helps us do is figure out who you are, what that means, and how to reshape what’s under the surface. 

In sessions, we look at your present behaviors, the strengths and the challenges, and I ask questions like: When and where does this come from? How has this served you in the past? And, how does it serve you now? Answering these questions creates self-empathy and understanding (which I define as “space”), to be curious and explore without fear of what you’ll find. It’s not about overanalyzing or defining the “right” way to live. It’s about slowing down and connecting with what feels true, instead of hearing what you’ve been taught or what your inner critic is yelling.

So often, we’re surrounded by people who care about us and still miss the mark when they try to help. Maybe they offer advice, tell you what they would do, or try to problem-solve for you. This is where Existentialism connects with the Person-Centered approach. You won’t hear any of those things from me. Therapy is about honoring your thoughts, feelings, and choices, without rushing you to explain or justify them. I invite you to bring your full, messy, complicated self into view. And when you understand how you feel and think, we can discover the link between your current behaviors and your needs. This is where change happens.

If you want to learn more about how I use a Existential approach and how we can apply it to meet your specific needs, reach out to me here.