3rd Edition Chapter 5 Existential Counseling Mario De La Garza MEd University of North Texas History Response to Compartmentalization Determinism Loss of awareness of self Reductionism ID: 659404
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Theoretical Models of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 3rd Edition Chapter 5: Existential Counseling
Mario De La Garza, M.Ed.
University of North TexasSlide2
HistoryResponse to:CompartmentalizationDeterminism
Loss of awareness of self
Reductionism
Existential philosophy is the guiding force in theory and treatment.Slide3
Rollo MayAnxiety-provoking childhood homeNervous breakdown led to change in lifeInfluence of AdlerInfluence of TillichSlide4
Philosophical UnderpinningsOntology: the study of beingPhenomenology: each person has a unique, subjective perspective of the world and selfResponsibility: for one’s own beingFreedom
Choice
AccountabilitySlide5
Function of the PsychePotential to have the “I-Am” experienceTo inevitably realize one’s own being/existence“Existence precedes essence”
To preserve and assert one’s existence through the unfolding of one’s potential (master motive)
Innate in each personSlide6
Structure of Psyche: Givens of LifeConditions present that threaten existence:Death threatens the master motive.
Freedom threatens ground/structure.
Isolation threatens protection/merging/being part of a larger whole.
Meaninglessness threaten
s meaning.
Humans are innately endowed with the potential to perceive threats to existence and generate anxiety.Slide7
Structure of the PsycheDasein: the whole of one’s approach to existenceIncludes structure (whole person)Includes function (approach to existence)Levels of Awareness
SelfSlide8
May’s Essential Aspects of BeingPhenomenological centerednessPotential to exist with other beings without losing centerednessAwareness as self-consciousnessAwareness as vigilance
Anxiety as the struggle against nonbeing
Courage to self-affirmSlide9
DaseinEvery moment, one is being (structure and process)When one responds to anxiety with defenses that deter a person from reaching one’s full potential, one is experiencing
existential guilt
.
Awareness of Ultimate Concern
↓
Anxiety
↓
Defense MechanismSlide10
Role of the EnvironmentEnvironment imposes limits and influences one’s beingFour interacting dimensionsUmwelt (physical world)Mitwelt (interpersonal world)
Eigenwelt (personal world)
Uberwelt (spiritual world)Slide11
Role of the EnvironmentCosmic destiny – limits imposed by laws of natureCultural destiny – limits imposed by preexisting social patternsCircumstantial destiny – limits imposed by sudden situationsSlide12
Personality DevelopmentStage 1: fusionExperience Umwelt and limited MitweltStage 2: separationBegin to experience EigenweltStage 3: satellization
Mitwelt influences Eigenwelt
Stage 4: similarity
One can experience UberweltSlide13
Healthy FunctioningAuthenticity – ongoing striving as one repeatedly confronts decisions over the span of one’s existenceAwareness of anxietyConfrontation of anxiety courageouslyUse of anxiety constructively
Latitude for inauthenticitySlide14
Unhealthy FunctioningLiving inauthenticallyExcessive use of defense mechanismsDenial/avoidance of the givens of lifePreoccupation with the givens of life
Too little or too much anxiety
Lack of courage
“Graceless, inefficient mode of coping with anxiety”Slide15
Personality Change ProcessChange occurs through increased authenticityDecreased use of defense mechanismsAffirmation of fullness of livingUse of anxiety in a creative manner
This occurs in the context of an authentic relationshipSlide16
Client’s RoleWilling to explore givens of existenceWilling to face anxiety that comes from awarenessWilling to experiment with different responses to anxietySlide17
Counselor’s RoleProvide an authentic relationshipUnderstand and empathize with the client’s experienceSensitively point out inauthenticity of client to clientHave a continuous searching attitude
Be aware of own struggle to existSlide18
Stages & TechniquesUse of silenceConstructive questionsInterpretation
Attention to boundary situations
Focus is on the process of gaining a true understanding of the client’s Dasein and encouraging the client to confront the givens of existence in a courageous manner.Slide19
Recent Developments in Mental HealthNature/NurtureUmwelt and Mitwelt
Environmental factors are not as important as the individual’s subjective interpretation of, and choices regarding, them
DSM 5 Diagnosis
Destructive to holistic view of the person
Use is for insurance purposes and to communicate with other
professionsSlide20
Recent Developments in Mental HealthPharmacotherapyUsed in extreme circumstancesManaged Care and Brief Therapy
Elements of existential counseling can be used in brief therapy
Elements of managed care are antithetical to theorySlide21
Recent Developments in Mental HealthTechnical Eclecticism
Adopted elements need to be consistent with existential
philosophy
Diversity
Givens of existence applicable to people across all cultures
Spirituality
Frankl’s
logotherapy
Deurzen
-Smith’s
UberweltSlide22
Recent Developments in Mental HealthEffectiveness of psychotherapyStriving for authenticity cannot be reduced nor measuredSlide23
Weaknesses of TheoryLack of research on efficacyDifficult to teach to counseling studentsLofty and complicatedBeyond evaluationLack of structure
Seems mysterious and vagueSlide24
References Fall, K. A., Holden, J. M., & Marquis, A. (2016). Theoretical models of counseling and psychotherapy (3rd
ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.