Existential Therapy: Confronting Life’s Ultimate Concerns

Diamond, Stephen A.

doi:10.4135/9781071800386.n12

Cited by 3 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…The fundamental method or technique of existential analysis or therapy is phenomenology (see Diamond, 2016a; Längle & Klaassen, 2021 [this issue]):For existential therapists, “phenomenology” refers to the disciplined philosophical method by which these ultimate concerns or “givens” are addressed, and through which the person’s basic experience of being-in-the-world can best be illuminated or revealed, and thus, more accurately understood. This phenomenological method begins by deliberately trying to set aside one’s presuppositions so as to be more fully open and receptive to the exploration of another person’s subjective reality.…”

Section: Defining Depth Psychology and Existential Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This strongly experiential emphasis—in contrast to the predominantly insight-oriented, cognitive, or behavioral focus of most contemporary psychotherapy, including psychoanalysis—is a key characteristic of existential therapy. Though existential therapy is rooted deeply in philosophy, rather than being a morose, esoteric, and overly intellectualized interaction, it is in actuality an exceedingly pragmatic, concrete, positive, experiential, “realistically hopeful, holistic, and fundamentally humanistic method of treatment” (Diamond, 2016a, p. 324).…”

Section: Defining Depth Psychology and Existential Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In existential therapy, it is considered crucial to hold all such possibilities in mind, to tolerate the tension of not knowing, and to refrain from leaping to premature conclusions. (Diamond, 2016a, p. 337)…”

Section: On Myth Meaning and Meaninglessnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…“Existential therapy views anxiety as a significant and potentially positive indicator of inner conflict and a critical call for growth or change. Failure or refusal to heed this call can result in negative consequences” (Diamond, 2016a, p. 325). The same may be said regarding the principle source of existential or ontological anxiety, the existential crisis , which is seen as both a perilous passage and precious opportunity for transformation and individuation.…”

Section: On Suffering Anxiety and Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An “existential crisis” consists of some subjective or objective stressor that threatens our basic sense of security, self-esteem, identity, or survival, and can accompany normal developmental states (e.g., adolescence, midlife, and aging) or major transitions such as career entry or change, marriage, parenthood, or retirement. Adverse life events like divorce, sickness, financial hardship, unforeseen moral dilemmas, or spiritual upheaval likewise can sometimes trigger an existential crisis (see Diamond, 2016a).…”

Section: On Suffering Anxiety and Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Existential Therapy and Jungian Analysis: Toward an Existential Depth Psychology

Diamond¹

2018

Journal of Humanistic Psychology

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Existential therapy and Jungian analysis share much in common. The early Jung, with his self-professed scientific study and “empirical” description of the human psyche focused strictly on “observed facts,” fancied himself a phenomenologist of sorts, loosely using a philosophical method first described in detail by Edmund Husserl (1859-1938) at the start of the 20th century. In this article, the author, a clinical and forensic psychologist, compares the contemporary practices of existential therapy and Jungian analysis, citing essential similarities and differences, and proposing and describing the complementary synthesis of these two penetrating and potent theoretical orientations in a reimagined form of therapy he calls “existential depth psychology.” He argues here that contemporary existential therapy’s reflexively broad dismissal of depth psychology and its profound clinical wisdom diminishes it immensely. And vice versa. Given the inherent bias against such sagacious, depth-oriented counseling and psychotherapy in today’s increasingly vapid mental health marketplace, Jungian analysis and existential therapy, despite, or really due to, their differences, desperately need each other to become more balanced, whole, efficacious, relevant, and viable humanistic treatment approaches.

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Section: Defining Depth Psychology and Existential Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Defining Depth Psychology and Existential Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: On Myth Meaning and Meaninglessnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: On Suffering Anxiety and Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: On Suffering Anxiety and Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Existential Therapy and Jungian Analysis: Toward an Existential Depth Psychology

Diamond¹

2018

Journal of Humanistic Psychology

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Existential Perspectives of Psychopathy

Diamond

2022

Dangerous Behavior in Clinical and Forensic Psychology

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Existential–Jungian Analysis: Reconciling the Personal and Archetypal Realms in the Consulting Room

Vahdani¹,

Phillips

2019

Journal of Humanistic Psychology

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C. G. Jung’s openness to the transcendent nature of the psyche has appealed to those seeking an alternative to the more ego-centered approach promoted by traditional Freudian psychoanalysis. Yet despite the significant philosophical implications of Jung’s ideas, he always emphasized their pragmatic and clinical nature: helping grapple with neuroses/psychoses and sundry symptoms borne of mental conflict. While abstract concepts from analytical psychology provide a useful schema to make sense of suffering, such theoretical conceptualizations can, when dogmatically misapplied in the consulting room, permit both analyst and patient to by-pass the concrete existential reality of the analytic relationship. The ability and willingness to be fully present to the angst of both patient and “self-as-therapist” is perhaps the most essential aspect of existential psychotherapy. In this article, the authors propose a concordance between existentialist and Jungian approaches that positions the work of analysis as a creative engagement with patients’ subjective experiences without avoiding or diminishing the here-and-now experience of the therapeutic encounter, arguing that such cross-fertilization could offer an integrative form of treatment more faithful to the unique existence of each individual and analytic pair than either approach on its own.

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Existential Therapy: Confronting Life’s Ultimate Concerns

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Existential Therapy and Jungian Analysis: Toward an Existential Depth Psychology

Existential Therapy and Jungian Analysis: Toward an Existential Depth Psychology

Existential Perspectives of Psychopathy

Existential–Jungian Analysis: Reconciling the Personal and Archetypal Realms in the Consulting Room

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