Existential Theory By “The Existentialists” - Melissa Solano, Stephanie

Everitt, Betty Jo Schafer, & Adam Benden

What is Existentialism all about, anyway?

Fact SheetYalom’s Ultimate Concerns

Death/Mortality

Freedom

Isolation

Meaninglessness/Meaning

Fact SheetFour Worlds Model

Physical or natural (Unwelt)

Social (Mitwelt)

Personal or psychological (Eigenwelt)

Spiritual (Uberwelt)

Fact Sheet❖Other key concepts:

➢ Anxiety

➢ Guilt

➢ Authenticity

❖Evidenced-based interventions

❖Populations that would benefit from this therapy

Existential Theory as a framework for assessment

“....it is useful to have a frame of reference to enable you to have enough distance from their experience and make sure that all different aspects of the client’s reality are

explored.” - Van Deurzen (2012)

Four Worlds Model●Umwelt (Physical World)

○ Instinctual behavior

○ Basic physical needs

●Mitwelt (Social World)○ Unrealistic construct of relationships

○ Realistic expectations and boundaries

○ Who will she choose to be in relationships?

●Eigenwelt (Personal World)○ Needs to cultivate self-awareness

○ Van Deurzen- Inner void

○ Must know ourselves in order to share with others

●Uberwelt (Spiritual World)○ Van Deurzen quote

○ Unique beliefs

○ Connection with something larger

Yalom’s Ultimate Concerns❖Death

❖Freedom➢ To make choices about her own life and character

➢ Avoiding the responsibility of choosing

❖Isolation➢ Avoids self-intimacy

➢ Physical isolation from family

❖Meaninglessness➢ No purpose

➢ Powerless to choose own path

➢ Guilt

The Therapeutic Alliance and Building Rapport w/ Existential TheoryBeing with as opposed to doing to (Harris, 2013)

“Primary Relatedness” and Transference

The client’s history is disclosed or made in each session - there is no necessarily objective history we can access about the client beyond what they reveal to us

Therapeutic space in Existential Therapy (Cohn, 1997)Client’s thoughts and feeling from their situation

Therapist provides “space” where these thoughts and feelings are seen, clarified, and understood

2 Different Kinds of Interpretation (Cohn, 1997)Reductive

Hermaneutic

Relevant Questions for Clients from Existential TheoryQuestions for Maria would emphasize existential factors such as

freedom, meaning, isolation, guilt, or anxiety. However, these questions must be asked within a therapeutic relationship which is empathetic, supportive, and engaging (Yalom, 2002).

When have you felt most like your “truest self,” the best version of Maria?

When do you feel most connected to others?When do you feel most alone?What if it wasn’t destined that you wouldn’t turn out like your mother

- how would that change the way you live your life now?Sometimes, thinking about what we would want to be remembered

for after we are gone can be a really powerful way to understand what really matters to us. What would you want to be remembered for, Maria?

Discussion of Theory-Related InterventionsExistential Dynamic Therapy “VITA”

Four Components and Meta Reflection

i. Existential

ii. Narrative

iii.Dynamic

iv. Affect-Focused

Existential Behavior Therapy “EBT”Group-Oriented Sessions and Objectives

v. Mindfulness

vi.Death and Bereavement

vii.Resources and Meaning

viii.Self-Care and Stress Management

ix.Personal Value Orientation

Mindfulness-Based Existential Therapy (MBET)MBET is a framework that connects mindfulness and existential

therapy by using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

Similarities of mindfulness and existential-phenomenological therapyAcknowledge change

Impermanence

Uncertainty

Suffering/existential anxiety

Death

ACT is humanistic and encourages compassion, empathy, acceptance, respect, and an egalitarian atmosphere

Why MBET?Mindfulness is used in psychotherapy to:

support goals

reduce stress

help prevent relapse and

achieve other objectives

Mindfulness increases attention, which is helpful in the treatment of depression.

MBET enhances the client’s awareness and attention, therefore helping them stay focused on what is most important in the present moment.

Maria’s Goals1. Reunification with her grandparents and siblings

Create a transition plan; Reestablish a connection with her grandparents and gain their approval in returning to their home

Existential theme: Isolation

2. Get the stealing and drinking under controlChoose a treatment option; Become familiar with the city’s public transportation

system.

Existential theme: Meaninglessness

3. Get a GEDAcquire a GED prep textbook; Enroll in a GED prep course.

Existential theme: Freedom

Theory Application & Group Activity❏ What is authenticity and what does it mean to

you?❏ What are you doing and how are you being when

you are authentic?❏ What obstacles get in the way of your being

authentic (e.g. beliefs, self-images, attitudes, emotions, etc.)?

Thank You For Your Attention and Participation!