What Is Existential Counseling?

Existential counseling, developed by Viktor Frankl, focuses on the meaning of life and a person's reason for existence. It allows a person to explore questions such as "Why am I here" or "What is my purpose in life?" Also known as meaning therapy, existential counseling can help a person look at the bigger picture of life and take responsibility for their own happiness and present life.

Founder

• Existential counseling is based on the beliefs of Viktor Fraknl. He and his wife were part of the Nazi concentration camps; his wife and family passed away, and he and his sister were the only surviving family members to make it out of the camps. Due to his experience with suffering and pain, he concluded that although life can be bleak at times, things happen for a reason and life has meaning for everyone. He called this "logotherapy."

Awareness

• Existential counseling looks at an awareness of many things regarding a person's life, such as being aware of a person's morbidity and limited lifespan. It also looks at a person's individuality and connectedness to others around them. Existential counseling looks at the ability of a person to be aware of, and make choices for, himself. It helps a person to answer those awareness questions and put his own life into perspective.

Framework

• The framework of existential counseling consists of four parts. It looks at how a person interacts in the physical, social and spiritual world, as well as a person's health. A therapist practicing existential therapy will use this framework to help a person understand his place in the world and to look for strengths and weaknesses in the person's life. For example, if a person in the course of therapy talks extensively about friends but never mentions family, a therapist might conclude that his family life is a source of strife or needs work.

Putting It Into Practice

• Using existential counseling should be done with caution, as this type of therapy is not for everyone. A therapist will need to leave his or her own personal biases at the door and focus on helping the client explore his own life and beliefs. People will explore their goals, values and beliefs in relation to how these ideas impact their life. They will want to explore any weaknesses in their ideology and build upon what they (not the therapist) believes are their strengths.