Existentialist Case Study

Similarly, for existential therapists, “phenomenology” refers to the client’s basic experience of being-in-the-world and by examining this it will be more accurately understood. They believe that this phenomenological method by setting aside one’s own judgements and assumptions enables them to be more open and receptive to the exploration of their clients subjective experience and reality. REF
Working this way for both approaches means that people must be understood in terms of their actual lived experience. It involves PC and existential therapists paying close attention to the client and the clients experience of being. The counsellor’s own assumptions, theories and judgements should be ‘bracketed’ REF so that the questions may be asked

Failure to do so could mean continued anxiety Existentialists do not see this anxiety as a medical issue more that the problem arises as we become anxious about the anxiety. Today’s society puts a huge amount of pressure on people to be happy and live lives free of worry and concern meaning many feel their anxieties about life are not normal and should be hidden or denied creating mental torment. Though Yalom acknowledged that any confrontation with these givens of existence would be painful, he believes that ultimately it is healing. He thinks that personal enlightenment could only result from facing these concerns. REF YALOM.
The goals of Existential therapy are best considered as an invitation to clients to recognize the ways in which they are not living what Sarte referred to as an ‘authentic’ life and to make choices that will lead to their becoming what they are capable of being. Existential therapy is a process of searching for the value and meaning in life. The therapists basic task is to encourage clients to explore their options for creating a meaningful existence and recognizing ways in which they are not living authentically and to make choices that will lead to their becoming what they are capable of being. REF