Existential Well-being Counseling: A Person-centered Experiential Approach from edX

This humanities course offers you the opportunity to explore what really matters in life and teaches you how to nurture your well-being and enhance the well-being of others.

We will address themes in your personal and professional life and show you how to counsel at all stages. We start with a positive approach by giving attention to people’s talents. We recognize that human existence involves constraints and difficulties, which is why this course is based on the idea of “existential” well-being.

This course will teach you how to live fully as a human being, in this body, on this planet, while at the same time being conscious that you are just a small part of a vast, incomprehensible, universe.

Our experiential approach focuses on the innate wisdom of the human organism and our tendency to evolve in a forward-moving direction. You will learn how to become aware of this deeply felt knowledge by giving attention to your body as felt from the inside and to your emotions.

Our person-centered approach encourages building optimal human relationships through empathy, respect and authenticity. These are complex skills, which we will bring within your reach by means of simple exercises.

Through examples, role-play and video-demonstrations we will illustrate how you can apply our existential well-being approach in a variety of helping contexts, including counseling and psychotherapy. You will develop skills to embody the existential well-being approach as a person and as a professional.

Your learning will be enriched through exchanging thoughts and experiences with a diverse group of international participants. You will learn to notice how people from different cultures have different ideas about what it means to live well and meaningfully. You will engage in discussions where divergent values can be respectfully acknowledged. Your personal view of well-being will expand and deepen to a more universal perspective on what it means to be human.

This course is taught by instructors with decades of experience in existential psychotherapy, focusing -oriented and emotion-focused therapy, person-centered counseling and positive psychology.

The instructors are also teachers and researchers in the fields of psychotherapy, positive psychology, meaning and spirituality at KU Leuven, a prestigious European University.

This course offers you a high degree of flexibility. You can follow the content in sequence or choose to complete sections in order of interest to you. Be aware that it would be realistic to spend 6 to 8 hours on each section. You can follow your own rhythm in studying and practicing what is offered in each section.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Live meaningfully and make the best of different life situations
Build optimal human relationships
Focus on bodily felt wisdom

Facilitate emotional, cognitive and behavioral change
Improve counseling skills for different working contexts

Live meaningfully and make the best of different life situations
Build optimal human relationships
Focus on bodily felt wisdom
Facilitate emotional, cognitive and behavioral change
Improve counseling skills for different working contexts

Syllabus

1. Well-being and Positive psychology.

Getting tuned in to theories of well-being and positive psychology.

Developing awareness of well-being counseling.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines existentialism's role in human well-being, making its contents relevant to those interested in existential psychology

Explores aspects of meaning, spirituality, and human potential, which are of interest to learners seeking personal growth

Provides counselors with a framework for working with clients on a holistic level, catering to those in the mental health field

Facilitates self-guided learning and flexible study, addressing the needs of busy individuals

Reviews summary

Existential, person-centered, experiential well-being

According to students, this course offers a profoundly insightful and often transformative exploration of well-being. Learners highlight the course's unique blend of theory and practical application, particularly appreciating the integration of existential philosophy, person-centered therapy, and experiential approaches like the focus on bodily felt sense. The instructors are consistently praised for their expertise, passion, and engaging presentation. While many find the course highly valuable for both personal growth and professional development, some students note that the experiential exercises, especially 'felt sense,' can be difficult to grasp and apply effectively online without direct guidance and require significant self-discipline for practice. Despite this challenge, the course is widely seen as providing a strong theoretical foundation and valuable new perspectives.

Opinions vary on 'how-to' for client sessions.

"I felt it lacked enough concrete examples or structured practice sessions."

"I expected more hands-on counseling practice examples. The exercises felt too focused on internal reflection and less on client interaction skills."

"Felt more like a personal development course than a professional counseling one at times."

"Good starting point, but probably needs supplementation for professional counseling mastery."

Instructors are experts, knowledgeable, and inspiring.

"The instructors were clearly experts, and their passion shone through."

"The instructors were knowledgeable and presented the material in an accessible way."

"The instructors are phenomenal. It's challenging, requiring introspection, but immensely rewarding."

"The instructors are top-notch. Highly recommended for anyone serious about well-being and human connection."

Provides a solid base in existential and person-centered theory.

"A solid course covering important ground. The existential concepts were well explained..."

"The theoretical base is strong. The practical exercises... are interesting..."

"This course provides a comprehensive theoretical framework. The existential and person-centered concepts are explained clearly."

"It provides a solid theoretical grounding in existential and person-centered approaches."

Benefits both self-exploration and professional application.

"The focus on bodily felt sense and existential themes was incredibly valuable for both personal growth and professional application."

"This isn't just a course; it's an invitation to explore what it means to be human. Highly..."

"Truly life-changing. The blend of theory, personal exploration, and practical application is perfect."

"It's not just academic; it's personal."

Integrates deep concepts with applicable techniques.

"It offered a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills..."

"An absolutely fantastic course! It delves deep into existential philosophy while providing concrete, applicable techniques..."

"Exceptional course! The way it wove together existentialism, person-centered therapy, and experiential techniques was brilliant."

"The blend of theory, personal exploration, and practical application is perfect."

Experiential elements like 'felt sense' are unique but hard online.

"...the experiential parts, like focusing, interesting but sometimes difficult to grasp fully online without direct interaction."

"The focus on 'felt sense' is unique but might not resonate with everyone."

"I struggled to fully engage with the 'felt sense' exercises; they weren't as intuitive as I hoped."

"My main challenge was fully grasping and applying the felt-sense techniques; they felt abstract sometimes."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Existential Well-being Counseling: A Person-centered Experiential Approach with these activities:

Review well-being and positive psychology theories

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Reviewing core concepts of well-being and positive psychology will reinforce understanding for this course.

Browse courses on Positive Psychology

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Identify key concepts and theories of well-being and positive psychology.
Reflect on your prior knowledge and experience with these concepts.

Read Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning

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Frankl's work provides a deep exploration of existential themes, offering insights relevant to the course content.

View Embracing Hope on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of Man's Search for Meaning.
Set aside time each day for reading and reflection.
Take notes or highlight key passages to aid in your understanding.

Practice body-oriented awareness techniques

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Regular practice of body-oriented techniques will enhance your ability to connect with and understand your own body.

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Explore different body-oriented techniques such as mindful breathing or body scanning.
Find a regular practice routine that resonates with you.
Pay attention to your bodily sensations and emotions.

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Facilitate a discussion on existential themes

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Engaging in group discussions on existential themes will allow you to explore diverse perspectives and deepen your understanding of these concepts.

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Identify key existential themes for discussion.
Prepare discussion questions to facilitate the conversation.
Moderate the discussion, ensuring equal participation and respectful dialogue.

Mentor a peer in the course

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Mentoring others will deepen your own understanding of the course material and provide support to fellow learners.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify a peer who could benefit from your guidance.
Offer support, answer questions, and encourage their progress.

Design a well-being plan

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Creating a personalized well-being plan will help you apply the concepts learned in the course to your own life.

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Identify your values and goals.
Develop a plan with specific actions to enhance your well-being.
Monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete Existential Well-being Counseling: A Person-centered Experiential Approach will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Spiritual Director

Spiritual directors provide guidance and support to individuals seeking to deepen their spiritual lives. This course may be useful for spiritual directors as it provides a comprehensive understanding of existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on meaning, purpose, and the development of virtues can help spiritual directors develop the skills necessary to effectively support individuals on their spiritual journeys.

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Employee Assistance Program Counselor

Employee assistance program counselors provide support and counseling to employees dealing with personal, social, and work-related issues. This course may be useful for employee assistance program counselors as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help employee assistance program counselors develop the skills necessary to effectively support employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Employee Assistance Program Counselor

Youth Counselor

Youth counselors provide support and guidance to young people facing a variety of challenges, including mental health issues, substance abuse, and family problems. This course may be useful for youth counselors as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help youth counselors develop the skills necessary to effectively support young people.

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Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists provide mental health treatment to individuals, couples, and families. This course may be useful for psychotherapists as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's emphasis on understanding the existential challenges and strengths of individuals, and its focus on facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change, can help psychotherapists develop the skills necessary to effectively support their clients.

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Chaplain

Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to individuals in hospitals, hospices, and other healthcare settings. This course may be useful for chaplains as it provides a comprehensive understanding of existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on understanding the existential challenges and strengths of individuals, and its emphasis on facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change, can help chaplains develop the skills necessary to effectively support their clients.

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Mediator

Mediators facilitate the resolution of disputes between parties. This course may be useful for mediators as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help mediators develop the skills necessary to effectively support disputing parties.

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Life Coach

Life coaches provide guidance and support to individuals seeking to improve their personal and professional lives. This course may be useful for life coaches as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on helping individuals live meaningfully, build optimal relationships, and achieve their goals can help life coaches develop the skills necessary to effectively support their clients.

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Conflict Resolution Specialist

Conflict resolution specialists help individuals and groups resolve conflicts in a constructive and peaceful manner. This course may be useful for conflict resolution specialists as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help conflict resolution specialists develop the skills necessary to effectively support disputing parties.

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Community Outreach Worker

Community outreach workers provide support and services to individuals and families in underserved communities. This course may be useful for community outreach workers as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help community outreach workers develop the skills necessary to effectively support individuals and families facing challenges.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and inclusion managers oversee the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives within an organization. This course may be useful for diversity and inclusion managers as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help diversity and inclusion managers develop the skills necessary to effectively create a diverse and inclusive work environment.

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Teacher

Teachers provide instruction and guidance to students in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, and universities. This course may be useful for teachers as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help teachers develop the skills necessary to effectively support their students.

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Social Worker

Social workers provide support and assistance to individuals, families, and communities facing social, emotional, and economic challenges. This course may be useful for social workers as it provides a comprehensive understanding of existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help social workers develop the skills necessary to effectively support their clients.

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Organizational Development Consultant

Organizational development consultants help organizations improve their performance and effectiveness. This course may be useful for organizational development consultants as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help organizational development consultants develop the skills necessary to effectively support organizations in creating a positive and productive work environment.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee the recruitment, hiring, and development of employees within an organization. This course may be useful for human resources managers as it provides a foundation in existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help human resources managers develop the skills necessary to effectively support employees and create a positive work environment.

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Counselor

Counselors provide guidance and support to individuals and families dealing with a wide range of personal, social, and psychological issues. This course may be useful for counselors as it provides a comprehensive understanding of existential well-being, positive psychology, and person-centered counseling approaches. The course's focus on building optimal human relationships and facilitating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change can help counselors develop the skills necessary to effectively support their clients.

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