Do you sometimes feel like this? "Who am I?", "Why did I come to this world?", "What is the real meaning of my life?"... Questions like these come to our minds at times. Sometimes these questions weigh heavily on our minds, causing feelings of frustration and loneliness. Today we are going to talk about a special psychological therapy that can help us at such times.
What is 'Existential Therapy'?
Simply put, this is a form of psychotherapy. But it's a little different from other forms of therapy. In this, we often focus on the philosophical side. That is, talking about the basic challenges we face as humans while living.
Think about it, some therapies, for example `(Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT)`, look at how your past experiences affect your current behavior. But in this `(Existential Therapy)`, we look at how your decisions and your actions affect your life experiences. That is, it helps you take responsibility for your life.
Through this therapy, you can discover what you truly believe in, what gives meaning and purpose to your life.
Who does this treatment help?
In fact, this therapy can be beneficial for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world they live in. It helps you understand how the decisions you make lead to certain outcomes. It also helps you make decisions that are truly valuable and meaningful.
This can be very helpful, especially for those struggling with the following conditions:
- Substance use disorders
- Alcohol use disorders
- Other substance or behavioral addictions
- Anxiety and fear
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Living with a chronic physical illness or mental illness.
What are the main goals of this treatment?
This therapy is based on four basic pillars. It helps us understand and live successfully with these four things that we all face as humans, which are part of our existence.
| The Pillar | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Death | Death is a part of life. When we accept that reality without fearing it, we can live our lives more meaningfully. |
| Loneliness/Isolation | Ultimately, only you control your future. Understanding that we are all, to some extent, alone in this world. |
| The meaning of life | What gives your life purpose? Finding what makes you truly happy and fulfilled. |
| Responsibility & Freedom | The decisions you make determine the course of your life. Take responsibility for your decisions and your life. |
This therapy aims to reduce your fear and anxiety about these four pillars and help you accept them as normal parts of human life. Your therapist will talk to you about these deeper topics and help you achieve your personal goals.
How does 'Existential Therapy' happen?
This is similar to other talk therapies. The therapist creates a safe environment where you can freely talk about whatever is on your mind, without any judgment.
When you first meet with your therapist, they will ask you what you hope to achieve from the treatment and what your goals are. Then, they will structure the conversation with you in a way that will help you reach those goals. During this conversation, you will talk in depth about things like how your life decisions have affected your identity.
This type of therapy often focuses on the present . However, you may also want to talk about past experiences to understand how you got to where you are today and how past decisions have affected it.
The main goal of each session is to help you accept the four pillars we talked about earlier. It is normal for you to feel strong emotions and difficult memories to come back to you during this therapy.
Usually, one meeting takes place once a week, for about an hour.
What are the benefits and limitations of this?
Like anything, this treatment has its advantages and limitations. Let's take a look at both.
| Benefits | Limitations and Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| You gain a better understanding of yourself. | Because this is heavily philosophical, some concepts may be difficult to understand. |
| It takes courage to take personal responsibility for your life. | May conflict with some religious beliefs. |
| Fear and anxiety about life are reduced. | Painful past memories or experiences may resurface. |
| You understand how the things you do affect you. | Some topics discussed (like death) can be uncomfortable and difficult to face. |
| You feel like you have control over your life. | This is not a solution for everything. |
How long should this treatment be done?
This is not usually a long-term treatment. You can continue this treatment until your goals are achieved. That time varies from person to person. It could be several months.
What do you do if you need help?
When you first start therapy, it's normal to feel a little awkward talking about your personal things with someone new (the therapist). It may take a few sessions to build that trust. So, always keep an open mind. Remember, the therapist is there to help you.
However, if you feel like your symptoms, such as fear and anxiety, are getting worse as treatment progresses, tell your therapist or your doctor about it.
Very important: If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please do not suffer alone. See your doctor immediately, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. There are organizations in Sri Lanka that can help with this. You can also get help through their phone numbers.
Starting therapy can feel like a daunting task. But Existential Therapy is a journey to understand yourself and your place in the world. Talking about these difficult topics can help you find comfort and hope.
Take-Home Message
- Existential Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people understand the fundamental challenges of life (death, loneliness, meaning of life, responsibility).
- The main goal of this is to help you take responsibility for your life and make meaningful decisions.
- This can be very helpful for those who suffer from anxiety, depression, addictions, and a sense of purposelessness in life.
- It's normal to experience difficult feelings during therapy. Your therapist will help you through them.
- If you have thoughts that make you feel hopeless about life, seek medical advice immediately. Don't be alone.
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