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What is Existential Analysis?

Existential Analysis (EA) is a therapeutic approach that explores the unique and individual aspects of a person's existence, focusing on their experiences, values, beliefs, and the meaning they find in their life. It aims to help clients understand themselves more deeply, confront their anxieties and fears, and ultimately live a more fulfilling life. 

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The goal is to help you become more aware of your values, choices, and potential, enabling you to live a life that aligns with your true self. 

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Existential Analysis respects your individuality and uniqueness, and it doesn’t impose any particular beliefs or solutions. Instead, it guides you to discover your own answers and develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your unique place in the world: in relation to yourself, to others and the world around you.

Existential themes that are often explored in therapy are: 

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Freedom, Choice and Responsibility: Understanding that you have the freedom to make choices and the responsibility for the consequences of those choices, urging you to connect with your agency. 

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Isolation and Connection: Exploring feelings of aloneness and the desire for meaningful connection with others. 

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Meaning and Purpose: Reflecting on your life’s purpose and what gives it meaning. Helping you to uncover what matters most to you and how you can align your actions with those values. 

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Awareness of Mortality: Acknowledging the reality of mortality and how it shapes your existence and priorities. This awareness can motivate you to engage with what truly matters in life. 

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Authenticity: EA encourages you to live in accordance with your values and beliefs. Clients are invited to reflect on whether they are living in alignment with their true selves or if they are conforming to external pressures and expectations.

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Existential Analysis (EA) can be applied to various aspects of life, including personal relationships, decision making, and navigating pain and suffering. It can be particularly beneficial for those seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world. EA can encourage you to take ownership in being yourself and take a position about your life that allows for more authentic and purposeful existence.

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Common Client Issues EA can be particularly effective in addressing: 

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  • Search for Meaning and Purpose 

  • Anxiety & Uncertainty

  • Midlife & Aging

  • Depression 

  • Grief & Loss 

  • Relationship Issues 

  • Decision-Making 

  • Existential Crisis

  • Isolation & Loneliness 

  • Spirituality & Transcendence 

  • Identity & Self-Expression

  • Career & Life Transitions

  • Creativity & Self Expression

  • Addictions & Self-Destructive Behavior

The Atlantic Article: What It's Like to Visit an Existential Therapist?

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