Existential therapy can be called an intellectual orientation of therapy practice or a philosophy followed by the therapists. Because existential therapy is not an independent school of therapy, is not a special therapeutic technology that can clearly define the pattern.
The development of existential therapy can be said to be a kind of versus against two main treatment modes of psychoanalysis and behavioralism . Psychoanalysis 's view holds that freedom is not subject to irrational drives and past events, but the power of the subconscious . The behavioral school believes that freedom is restricted by social and cultural conditions . Although there is a therapeutic approach that agrees with the view that “ Our choices are limited by the external environment, it denies that our actions are determined by external forces” . But the theory of existential treatment is entirely based on We are free and we have to be responsible for our choices and actions; in other words, we are the creators and architects of life, not victims of the environment.
Existentialism's main purpose : : In a series of treatments, people rebuild a set of "self-reflection" 's ability, and finally establish a confident concept of life . Existentialism View of human nature : The meaning of human existence is not fixed, but is constantly recreating oneself . Human beings are in a state of continuous transformation, cohesion, evolution and formation in . Six major propositions of existentialism: The ability to self-aware , Freedom and responsibility , Pursuing self-identity and interpersonal relationships, pursuing meaning , Anxiety is a state of survival , Perceive death and non-existence .
Existentialist therapists' treatment focus is to assist the parties in understanding the current living situation , rather than helping them recover their personal past . A typical existential therapist will adopt different treatment methods at different treatment stages according to different parties or the same party. , but they did not establish a specific or actual treatment technology . In the process of existential therapy, the technique is only the secondary . What is important is the establishment of the relationship between the therapist and the client .
Therapist himself is the treatment core . When the healer's inner self can touch the heart of the case and treat each other equally and honestly, the best therapeutic effect can be achieved. Treatment is a process of creative and self-discovery , which can be divided into three stages.
st stage. consultants assist in case confirmation and clarification of their hypotheses about the world . Cases are encouraged to define and question the way they perceive the world and understand the meaning of existence. They examine their values, beliefs and assumptions to determine their validity. For many cases, this is not easy, as they may almost always blame the problem on external factors at the beginning. They may only pay attention to the feelings that others give them or that others should be extremely responsible for their behavior. consultant at this time teaches cases how to show their own existence .
stage 2. cases are encouraged to more in-depth tests on the source and authoritative of the current value system. This self-exploration process can often lead to new insights and rebuild some values and attitudes . The case can know more clearly what he wants to live. Their internal evaluation process is clearer.
stage . is to help individual cases accept the discovered inner self and put it into action. The target of treatment is lies in that allows individual cases to review and internalize their values and apply them to specific ways of action . Cases usually discover their strengths and integrate themselves into a purposeful lifestyle.
Reference for this article:
Feng Zhengzhi "Psychologist"
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