Throughout their lives, people may occasionally be confronted with fundamental existential questions such as the search for meaning, uncertainty, loneliness, freedom, responsibility, and the purpose of life. Changes in one’s professional life, family relationships, losses, illnesses, retirement, having children, divorce, or unexpected life events can lead a person to reevaluate themselves and their life. The self-reflection that occurs during these processes is not always a sign of a mental illness. However, prolonged uncertainty, a decrease in life satisfaction, or intense psychological distress may indicate a need for professional support.
The Basic Framework of the Existential Therapy Approach
This psychotherapy approach is one of several that focus on understanding the fundamental existential themes that shape a person’s life. At the core of this approach lies the idea that the choices, relationships, responsibilities, and meanings individuals ascribe to life events throughout their lives can influence their mental health. For this reason, the therapeutic process evaluates not only the problem itself but also how the individual experiences and interprets that problem.
In existential therapy, the therapist positions themselves not as an expert offering ready-made solutions, but rather as a professional guide who accompanies the client in exploring their own life. The goal is to help the individual recognize the strengths in their life, reevaluate their own values, and make more conscious choices regarding their life.
The core themes of this approach are as follows:
- The meaning and purpose of life
- Freedom and the ability to make choices
- Taking responsibility
- Coping with uncertainty
- Loneliness and forming relationships
- Accepting the finitude of life
These concepts allow the difficulties encountered in daily life to be evaluated not merely through their symptoms, but within the framework of the individual’s life experience and personal values. In this way, the individual can gain the opportunity to view the events they experience from different perspectives and develop a stronger awareness of their own life.
Life Issues That Can Be Addressed in Existential Therapy
Existential therapy is not a psychotherapy approach that focuses solely on a specific diagnosis. Questions, uncertainties, and periods of change that may arise in the natural course of life can also be topics of the therapeutic process. The goal is not so much to eliminate the difficulties the individual is experiencing, but rather to support them in understanding their relationship with these experiences and developing a more conscious perspective on their own life.
Today, many people may feel the need to redefine themselves following significant life events such as a career change, transformations in family life, chronic illness, becoming a parent, retirement, migration, loss, or separation. The uncertainty and search for meaning that arise during these processes can affect an individual’s psychological well-being. Existential therapy offers a framework for understanding how these life experiences relate to a person’s values and life goals.
The topics addressed during therapy may vary depending on the individual’s needs. For example, questions about life purpose, the search for identity, significant losses, career or relationship decisions, feelings of loneliness, or uncertainties about the future can be explored from an existential perspective. In addition, when deemed appropriate following a psychiatric evaluation, it can be planned as a psychotherapy approach to support other treatment methods for individuals experiencing Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or certain Personality Disorders.
The following life themes are frequently addressed within the framework of existential therapy:
- Questioning the meaning of life
- Identity and self-perception
- The balance between freedom and responsibility
- Uncertainties about the future
- Loneliness and the sense of belonging
- Loss and the grieving process
- Life transitions and major decisions
- Building a Life Aligned with One’s Values
Since every individual’s life story, experiences, and priorities are unique, the therapeutic process is tailored to the individual. Rather than offering ready-made solutions, the process supports the individual in developing awareness about their own life and making conscious decisions.
What Approach Is Taken in the Existential Therapy Process?
Existential therapy is not a therapeutic method that mechanically applies specific steps. The process is shaped by taking into account the client’s life story, reason for seeking therapy, personal values, relationships, and life experiences. For this reason, each individual’s therapeutic process is unique, and even two people with the same diagnosis may have different session content.
During the initial sessions, the therapist assesses the client’s reason for seeking therapy, significant turning points in their life, current difficulties, and expectations for therapy. Following this, the focus shifts to how the individual makes sense of their life, how they respond to the events they encounter, and their perspective on the future. The goal is not merely for the individual to describe the problems they are experiencing, but also to help them discover the role these problems play in their life and the meaning they hold for them.
Throughout the therapy process, the therapist acts not as an expert offering ready-made solutions, but rather as a professional guide accompanying the client on a journey of discovery. The client is supported in finding their own answers, evaluating the choices they make in life, and recognizing their strengths. This approach aims not to completely change the individual’s external circumstances, but to help them develop a new perspective on their experiences.
The following areas may be addressed during the therapy process:
- Evaluating the meaning that life events hold for the individual
- Recognizing the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
- Re-examining life goals
- Strengthening skills for coping with uncertainty
- Supporting decision-making that aligns with personal values
- Assessing factors that influence life satisfaction
The duration of existential therapy, the frequency of sessions, and the treatment plan are determined based on the client’s needs, therapy goals, and the therapist’s assessment. When necessary, it can be planned in conjunction with other psychotherapy approaches or psychiatric treatment methods.
What Are the Goals of Existential Therapy?
The primary goal of existential therapy is to help individuals evaluate the challenges in their lives from a different perspective and develop a stronger sense of awareness regarding their own lives. This approach does not aim solely to reduce current symptoms; it also emphasizes helping individuals make sense of the values, choices, and relationships that guide their lives.
Throughout the therapeutic process, the individual is supported in taking responsibility for their own life, recognizing their strengths, and coping more healthily with life’s uncertainties. The goal is thus to enable the individual to evaluate their life holistically, rather than focusing solely on their problems.
Within this approach, the following goals may be addressed:
- Developing awareness of the meaning of life
- Defining personal values more clearly
- Strengthening decision-making processes
- Supporting psychological flexibility in the face of uncertainty
- Developing the ability to take responsibility
- Increasing self-awareness
- Setting goals that support life satisfaction
- Contributing to the development of healthier and more meaningful relationships
These goals are not the same for every individual. During the therapeutic process, priorities are determined based on the client’s needs, life circumstances, and expectations. In this way, therapy becomes an individualized process that progresses in a manner tailored to the person’s life story.
How Does Existential Therapy Differ from Other Psychotherapy Approaches?
There are many approaches in the field of psychotherapy based on different theoretical foundations. Each method may differ in its mode of operation, focus, and the techniques it employs. Existential therapy distinguishes itself from other schools of psychotherapy by placing the meaning an individual ascribes to their life at the center.
This approach focuses not only on reducing symptoms but also on how the individual experiences life, how they evaluate their choices, and how they make sense of the difficulties they face. Throughout the therapeutic process, fundamental existential themes such as freedom, responsibility, uncertainty, loneliness, and the meaning of life may be addressed. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying dysfunctional thought and behavior patterns and restructuring them. Existential therapy, on the other hand, offers a more exploratory approach aimed at helping the individual make sense of their core values, choices, and life experiences. These two approaches do not have to be mutually exclusive. Depending on clinical needs, they can be planned to complement each other based on the assessment of a psychiatrist and therapist.
When deciding which psychotherapy method is appropriate, the reason for seeking treatment, psychological symptoms, personal needs, therapy goals, and clinical evaluation must all be considered together. In this way, the most suitable treatment plan for the individual can be developed.
Who Might Benefit from Existential Therapy?
Existential therapy is one of the psychotherapy approaches that can be considered for individuals who are questioning the meaning of life, trying to adjust after significant life events, or seeking to understand themselves more deeply. It is not limited to a specific age group, life stage, or a single mental health diagnosis. Suitability for therapy is determined based on the individual’s reason for seeking help, expectations, and the therapist’s professional assessment.
Changes encountered during different stages of life can lead individuals to reevaluate themselves, their relationships, and their goals for the future. People may sometimes feel uncertain after starting college, choosing a career, getting married, becoming a parent, retiring, dealing with chronic illnesses, experiencing significant losses, or facing unexpected life events. Existential therapy provides a framework for understanding the psychological effects of these processes on the individual.
Existential therapy may be planned following an evaluation by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist in the following situations:
- Individuals experiencing intense questioning about the purpose and meaning of life
- Individuals experiencing uncertainty regarding identity development or life direction
- Individuals struggling to cope with loss, grief, or major life changes
- Individuals who wish to better understand their relationships and their connection to themselves
- Individuals seeking support in coping with uncertainty and a sense of responsibility
- Individuals who wish to develop their self-awareness
Existential therapy is not applied with the same goals for everyone. During the therapeutic process, a personalized roadmap is created by taking into account the client’s expectations, life circumstances, and psychological needs. When necessary, it can also be planned in conjunction with other psychotherapy methods.
The Importance of the Therapist-Client Relationship in Existential Therapy
One of the fundamental elements of existential therapy is the trust-based therapeutic relationship established between the therapist and the client. To ensure the therapy process progresses healthily, it is essential to create a safe environment where the client can express themselves without fear of judgment. For this reason, the therapist adopts a professional approach that seeks to understand the client’s life experiences, establishes empathy, and operates in accordance with ethical principles.
In the existential approach, the therapist is not someone who makes decisions for the client or directs their life. Instead, the therapist accompanies the individual as they develop awareness of their own life, discover their values, and evaluate their choices. In this way, the client is supported in recognizing their own resources and taking on the responsibilities of their life in a more conscious manner.
A strong therapeutic relationship:
- Fosters open communication,
- The development of trust,
- Clarifying therapy goals,
- Supporting motivation for change,
- and increasing regular participation in the therapy process
. For this reason, collaboration between the therapist and the client is considered one of the cornerstones of existential therapy.
The Existential Therapy Approach at NPİSTANBUL
At NPİSTANBUL, existential therapy can be considered part of a personalized treatment plan developed for individuals deemed suitable following a psychiatric evaluation. When preparing the therapy plan, not only the reason for seeking help but also the individual’s life story, current psychological symptoms, level of functioning, expectations, and needs are addressed holistically. When necessary, the plan may be developed in conjunction with different psychotherapy approaches or medical treatment options.
The goal of the treatment process is not merely to assess the individual’s difficulties but to establish a holistic approach that also supports their strengths, life goals, and psychological resilience. Through regular clinical evaluations, the therapy process is reviewed and can be updated as needed.
Assessment Through Collaboration Between Psychiatry and Psychology
Psychiatrists and clinical psychologists work collaboratively to plan the existential therapy process. When deemed necessary, psychological symptoms, comorbid psychiatric disorders, and the individual’s overall functioning are assessed together. The goal is to develop a personalized treatment plan grounded in scientific evidence and aligned with ethical principles.