Existential Therapy Strengths

Existentialism holds a very optimistic view of human nature. Emphasis is placed on responsibility and self-actualization. It focuses on interpersonal relationships and on the here and now of the client/therapist relationship and does not take into account the client’s past history during treatment. It can also be blind to other constraints like environmental factors (Jones-Smith, 2015). As a philosophical therapy it focuses less on active problem solving and treatment can be long term (Corey G. , 2009). Certainly in non-western culture, we have become a fast paced society that focusses more on the “quick fix” and therefore this therapy may not meet such expectations. Existential therapy may challenge the values and beliefs of some cultures especially those that are more group orientated or those cultures that include elders or extended family in therapy (Jones-Smith, 2015).
Strengths: …show more content…
It has a genuine respect for the person and puts the therapeutic relationship at the centre of the healing process while offering genuineness and an authentic caring encounter. It is a very humanistic and less mechanical approach. It deals with core human issues such as death, meaninglessness, loneliness and freedom rather than avoiding