Member-only story

An Existentially Informed Enquiry With Implications For Counselling Psychology

Forrest Reed

·11.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Trans And Sexuality: An Existentially Informed Enquiry With Implications For Counselling Psychology (Explorations In Mental Health)

5 min read

1.1k View Claps

70 Respond

Save

Listen

The existential dimension of human experience is a rich and complex one, and it has implications for counselling psychology that are both profound and far-reaching. In this article, I will explore the existential dimension of human experience and its implications for counselling psychology. I will argue that an existentially informed approach to counselling can help clients to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world, and to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Trans and Sexuality: An existentially-informed enquiry with implications for counselling psychology (Explorations in Mental Health)

by Christina Richards

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4084 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	140 pages

The existential dimension of human experience is concerned with the fundamental questions of life, such as: Who am I? What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose? These questions are not easy to answer, and they can be a source of great anxiety and distress. However, they are also essential questions, and they can lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emerged in the 19th century. Existentialist philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus argued that human beings are free and responsible for their own lives. They also argued that there is no inherent meaning in life, and that we must create our own meaning through our actions and choices.

The existential dimension of human experience has implications for counselling psychology in a number of ways. First, it suggests that clients are not simply passive recipients of treatment, but rather active participants in the counselling process. Clients must be willing to take responsibility for their own lives and to make choices that are in line with their values and goals.

Second, the existential dimension of human experience suggests that clients are not simply products of their environment or their past experiences. Clients have the freedom to choose how they will respond to their circumstances, and they have the potential to change and grow throughout their lives.

Third, the existential dimension of human experience suggests that clients are not alone in their struggles. All human beings face the same fundamental questions of life, and we all have the potential to experience anxiety and distress. However, we can also find meaning and purpose in our lives through our relationships with others and through our commitment to our values.

An existentially informed approach to counselling can help clients to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world. It can also help clients to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives. By exploring the existential dimension of human experience, counsellors can help clients to:

Understand their own unique strengths and weaknesses
Develop a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives
Cope with anxiety and distress
Build strong and healthy relationships
Live more authentic and fulfilling lives

Existentialism is a complex and challenging philosophy, but it can also be a source of great insight and wisdom. By understanding the existential dimension of human experience, counsellors can help clients to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives.