Unit 4: Theoretical Framework and Application 1-The Case of Margarita Part
Existential theory is based on a philosophical approach to psychotherapy as opposed to a method. The perspective of this approach is humanistic and “ focuses on exploring themes such as mortality, meaning, freedom, responsibility, anxiety, and aloneness as these relate to a person’s current struggle” (Corey, p. 139, 2013). Existential therapy is based on the notion that as humans we are free to make decisions and because of this we are responsible for the consequences associated with those choices. The counselor strives to understand the clients worldview, becoming self aware and assisting them in understanding it, changing it, and accepting responsibility for it. …show more content…
“Existential therapy sees each person as a unique individual who is struggling to derive meaning in life and focus is one attempting to understand the human condition”(Nystul, p. 199, 2011). According to this humanistic view humans are constantly transitioning, evolving, and questioning ourselves. As human we are able to be aware of ourselves, have freedom and are responsible for our actions, have the ability to create and recreate our identities, establish relationships with others, search for meaning and purpose and the ability to cope with the anxiety that comes with this (Corey, 2013). The theory of change in the existential approach is “to assist clients in moving toward authenticity and learning to recognize when they are deceiving themselves” (Corey, p. 154, 2013). The focus is on individuality and finding the meaning in life. The existential counselor role is to understand the idiosyncratic world of their client and help them discover new possibilities and gain a better perception of their world. They encourage clients to take responsibility for their lives and “hold up a mirror” so that clients see how the person they are came about (Corey, …show more content…
This has lead to there being little to no empirical evidence to support this theory which is one of the reasons many people take issue with this approach. Recently there have been studies conducted in an attempt to change this. The study reviewed ” the scientific foundations and efficacy of existential therapies” (Vos, Cooper, Correia, & Craig, p.49, 2015) it also discussed the “ underlying epistemologies, clinical and therapeutic assumptions and overall effects” associated with existential therapies (ET). In this study, a systematic literature review was conducted and the ” Overall, evidence suggests that ET may have positive therapeutic outcomes at a magnitude similar to other humanistic, relational and positive psychological psychotherapies” (Vos, et. al., p. 60, 2015). While this method of study is unorthodox due to the lack of research studies and the dynamic of existential therapy it was the logical course of
Existential theory is based on a philosophical approach to psychotherapy as opposed to a method. The perspective of this approach is humanistic and “ focuses on exploring themes such as mortality, meaning, freedom, responsibility, anxiety, and aloneness as these relate to a person’s current struggle” (Corey, p. 139, 2013). Existential therapy is based on the notion that as humans we are free to make decisions and because of this we are responsible for the consequences associated with those choices. The counselor strives to understand the clients worldview, becoming self aware and assisting them in understanding it, changing it, and accepting responsibility for it. …show more content…
“Existential therapy sees each person as a unique individual who is struggling to derive meaning in life and focus is one attempting to understand the human condition”(Nystul, p. 199, 2011). According to this humanistic view humans are constantly transitioning, evolving, and questioning ourselves. As human we are able to be aware of ourselves, have freedom and are responsible for our actions, have the ability to create and recreate our identities, establish relationships with others, search for meaning and purpose and the ability to cope with the anxiety that comes with this (Corey, 2013). The theory of change in the existential approach is “to assist clients in moving toward authenticity and learning to recognize when they are deceiving themselves” (Corey, p. 154, 2013). The focus is on individuality and finding the meaning in life. The existential counselor role is to understand the idiosyncratic world of their client and help them discover new possibilities and gain a better perception of their world. They encourage clients to take responsibility for their lives and “hold up a mirror” so that clients see how the person they are came about (Corey, …show more content…
This has lead to there being little to no empirical evidence to support this theory which is one of the reasons many people take issue with this approach. Recently there have been studies conducted in an attempt to change this. The study reviewed ” the scientific foundations and efficacy of existential therapies” (Vos, Cooper, Correia, & Craig, p.49, 2015) it also discussed the “ underlying epistemologies, clinical and therapeutic assumptions and overall effects” associated with existential therapies (ET). In this study, a systematic literature review was conducted and the ” Overall, evidence suggests that ET may have positive therapeutic outcomes at a magnitude similar to other humanistic, relational and positive psychological psychotherapies” (Vos, et. al., p. 60, 2015). While this method of study is unorthodox due to the lack of research studies and the dynamic of existential therapy it was the logical course of