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Existential Issues in Psychotherapy
Brent Schnipke1, Michael MacKay1
1Both authors are with Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio.
Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience
|May 1, 2023
Summary
Psychotherapy often involves existential issues like death and meaning. Clinicians need to recognize and address these patient concerns using practical strategies for better therapeutic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Philosophy
Background:
- Existential issues are prevalent in patient experiences across various settings, especially psychotherapy.
- These concerns encompass themes of death, meaning, freedom, and isolation, potentially causing psychiatric distress or modifying patient conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To equip clinicians with the ability to recognize and understand the fundamental principles of addressing existential issues in psychotherapy.
- To provide practical clinical guidance for managing these sensitive patient topics.
Main Methods:
- Review of the historical context and theoretical underpinnings of existentialism.
- Discussion of existential issues within the framework of psychotherapy.
- Inclusion of practical clinical tips, probing questions, and in-session strategies.
Main Results:
- Provides a foundational understanding of existentialism relevant to clinical practice.
- Offers actionable techniques for identifying and addressing existential themes in therapy sessions.
- Empowers clinicians to navigate complex patient concerns with greater confidence.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing and addressing existential issues is crucial for effective psychotherapy.
- Clinicians can benefit from understanding existential theory and applying practical strategies.
- This approach enhances the therapeutic process and patient well-being.
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