Existentialism in Therapy: Finding Meaning and Understanding the Self
Existentialism in therapy explores the fundamental questions of human existence—Who am I? What is my purpose? How do I make sense of suffering? While these questions may seem abstract, they often arise in deeply personal ways, particularly during moments of change, loss, or emotional struggle. Existential therapy helps individuals explore these themes, not by offering concrete answers, but by guiding them toward deeper self-awareness and meaning-making.
How Existential Themes Show Up in Therapy
Existential concerns often emerge in therapy as feelings of:
Uncertainty and anxiety about life’s direction
A search for meaning in the face of suffering
A struggle with identity and the question of authenticity
Fear of isolation or rejection
Awareness of mortality and impermanence
Rather than avoiding these topics, existential therapy encourages individuals to engage with them, using tools from various therapeutic approaches to foster reflection and growth.
Meaning-Making and Personal Growth
As Viktor Frankl, psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, wrote: “In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” His work emphasized that even in the most difficult circumstances, the ability to find meaning can help us move forward.
A core concept in existential therapy is the idea that we are responsible for creating meaning in our lives. When life feels uncertain or directionless, therapy can help individuals explore:
What truly matters to them
How past experiences shape their current perspectives
Ways to align their actions with their values
By working through these questions, individuals can move from feeling stuck in existential doubt to living with greater purpose and intentionality.
Mentalization: Understanding the Self and Others
Mentalization—the ability to reflect on our own thoughts and emotions, as well as those of others—plays a crucial role in navigating existential concerns. When we mentalize effectively, we are better able to:
Recognize the emotional and cognitive patterns that shape our experiences
Engage in deeper self-reflection without becoming overwhelmed
Develop stronger, more authentic relationships
Therapy fosters this skill by encouraging individuals to slow down, explore their internal world, and consider how they relate to others in meaningful ways.
Values and Existential Therapy
Values serve as guiding principles that help us make decisions and find direction in an unpredictable world. Identifying and clarifying values can:
Reduce existential distress by providing a personal sense of purpose
Create a framework for decision-making in difficult times
Help individuals live in alignment with their authentic selves
Approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) integrate values work into therapy, helping individuals take meaningful action even in the presence of uncertainty or emotional pain.
A Psychoanalytic Perspective on Existential Concerns
From a psychoanalytic lens, existential struggles are often tied to unconscious conflicts, early relational patterns, and deeply held fears. Exploring these themes in therapy can uncover:
How early life experiences shape existential concerns
The unconscious narratives we carry about our worth, purpose, and relationships
The defenses we use to manage existential anxiety
Through deep exploration, therapy offers a space to work through these unconscious patterns and develop a greater sense of agency over one's life.
Integrating Existentialism into Therapy
Existential therapy is not about finding all the answers—it’s about embracing the complexity of life with curiosity, reflection, and intention. By integrating meaning-making, mentalization, values exploration, and psychoanalytic insight, therapy helps individuals navigate life's uncertainties with greater clarity and purpose.
If you find yourself struggling with existential questions, therapy provides a space to explore them in a way that fosters growth, self-awareness, and deeper connection to the life you want to live.