Existential therapy is an evidence based approach to mental health issues and psychological problems. It works to improve moods, reorganise thinking and to help people function better and get more out of life.
The approach is a mindful and unpretentious talking therapy combining the constructive, forward looking approach of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the respectful person centred tradition and the depth of psychodynamic psychotherapy. It is a philosophical approach using phenomenology to broaden our understand of the problems of living we are dealing without using psychopathology and medicalised ways of thinking. I describe myself as research informed rather than reseach lead.
The focus is on individual experience and understanding this within the context of the challenges and paradoxes of life and living.
Human beings are understood to be creatures of continual change and transformation with unique personal strengths and weaknesses, constantly seeking opportunities and yet frustrated by limitations in the physical, social, personal and spiritual dimensions of existence.
Meaning and value are explored with the aim of being true to oneself and living responsibly whilst at the same time understanding the consequences of our ideas and beliefs on our own and others lives.
Good therapy is by its nature challenging but also ultimately respectful of a person’s unique way of understanding and living their life. The goal of therapy is authentic living; that is, living deliberately rather than by default.