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Existential Therapy, Psychotherapy & Counselling

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Based on 817 ratings
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Adam Godwin (MA)

This course serves as a comprehensive overview of the central theories and practices of contemporary Existential Therapy (ET).

It is ideal for anyone working in the mental health sector and is especially valuable to qualified:

  • psychotherapists

  • counsellors

  • psychiatrists

  • clinical psychologists

  • life coaches and pastoral workers.

As well as those training towards such professions.

Read more

This course serves as a comprehensive overview of the central theories and practices of contemporary Existential Therapy (ET).

It is ideal for anyone working in the mental health sector and is especially valuable to qualified:

  • psychotherapists

  • counsellors

  • psychiatrists

  • clinical psychologists

  • life coaches and pastoral workers.

As well as those training towards such professions.

Whilst the course may also of interest to non-professionals with a personal interest in psychology and philosophy: specialist academic language is used throughout the course and it is pitched at a postgraduate level; it is mainly intended for mental health professionals and refers to therapeutic techniques and strategies throughout.

The Goals of Existential Therapy

Existential therapies have different goals to more conventional approaches to mental health, principle goals include:

  • Helping people to live more authentic lives and avoid various forms of inauthentic behaviour

  • Maximising autonomy and freedom by encouraging people to assume responsibility for their choices (and their lives)

  • Helping people to find (or construct) a sense of meaning, purpose and value in life

  • Cultivating wisdom and the pursuit of philosophical truth: overcoming self-deception and harmful delusions

  • Helping people to face reality and certain "existential givens" (such as death/mortality) so that they can live more full and engaged lives

Existential therapies are firmly rooted in existential philosophy and often draw on the ideas of prominent existential philosophers such as Kierkegaard, Buber, Nietzsche & Sartre - most of whom were writing in a time where the distinction between philosophy and psychology was less rigid than it is today. Likewise, existential therapies tend to be heavily influenced by phenomenology and phenomenological philosophers (such as Hegel and Heidegger) .

Due to this influence of phenomenology existential therapies tend to emphasise subjectivity and inter-subjectivity; the nature and significance of phenomenology are something explored in this course. Helping people to reconnect with the subjective nature of their lives (instead of viewing themselves as passive objects or labels or in terms of overly reductionist biographical narratives) is both an important goal and a central method of many approaches to existential therapy.

Furthermore, these approaches to therapy emphasise the role of will, choice, and volition in the challenges (and sometimes symptoms) that present in the lives of patients/clients and in the therapeutic process: they are, in part, a reaction to overly-deterministic and reductionist accounts of human behaviour and psychology.

In truth, there is no single 'Existential Therapy' but multiple 'existential therapies' - different branches of therapy and psychotherapy that are informed by different existential philosophers and existential psychologists: the course covers the three most prominent existentially-orientated approaches to therapy and psychotherapy:

  1. Logotherapy

  2. Existential-Humanistic Therapy

  3. Existential Phenomenological Therapy (and 'The British School')

It also takes an in-depth look at the model of existential psychotherapy developed by Irvin Yalom and explores more recent developments in the field: Existential-Positive Psychology, Positive Psychology 2.0, and potential avenues for integrating existential therapy with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

The Aims of The Course

This course focuses on outlining, describing and explaining the central concepts, theories and practices of Existential Therapy: it does not pretend to present a particularly critical or evaluative analysis, it does not explore the evidential basis of existential therapy nor does it attempt to 'sell you' Existential Therapy. Critical appraisal of the value of existential therapy is something I will leave to you.

What I can promise, however, is that you will have a firm grasp of Existential Therapy by the end of this course as well as some new, existentially-informed, therapeutic techniques to experiment with in your practice as a mental health professional. Moreover, I can promise you that the course is well-researched and that I have done my utmost to do this fascinating and unique approach to therapy justice and to represent it both fairly and comprehensively.

Aside from my hope that this course will enhance your practice as a therapist and bring great benefit to those with whom you work, it is also my hope that you will find the concepts and theories of the course personally relevant, engaging, and perhaps even challenging.

Finally: one of my aims is to offer good value - this desire is borne partly out of my own frustration at how expensive high-quality training is for counsellors and psychotherapists and how limited exposure to these theories and ideas is as a result. This course is a fraction of the price of more established training courses for Existential Therapy and my ambition is not only to match those courses but to surpass them in quality.

Important Information & Considerations

  • The course includes twenty video-learning sessions*. Aside from containing in-depth explanations of Existential Therapy these sessions also include various learning and reflection activities that you should engage in if you hope to maximise your learning.

  • Included in the course is a printable workbook that features learning and reflection tasks: this workbook should be printed off and either bound as a booklet or kept together in a file prior to beginning the first learning session. Every learning-session has its own double-sided worksheet (as a section of the workbook) and engaging with these worksheets and learning activities is something expected of students who wish to get the most out of this course.

  • This course asks that you utilise an 'active learning' approach and, in true existential fashion, asks that you take responsibility for getting the most out of it. If you are looking for a course in which you passively absorb information - as if listening to an audio book - this course is not for you. Likewise: if you cannot print the workbook/worksheets because you do not have access to a printer - that will be an obstacle to learning.

  • Each learning session also includes additional links to relevant external resources such as articles and videos: these are intended to support your learning and taking the time to explore these additional resources will help you to perfect your expertise in existential approaches to therapy.

  • My intention is to create expertise: this means it is heavy on theory and doesn't 'pull any punches' when it comes to detailed exploration of complicated ideas and concepts. It is not a 'dumbed-down' course and aims to be intellectually and academically rigorous and challenging.

  • Those who complete the video learning-sessions will receive a certificate of completion automatically from Udemy: an 'Advanced Certificate in Existential Therapy, Psychotherapy & Counselling' can also be claimed (at no additional cost) by students who successfully complete the course and additional assessment tasks (outlined in the aforementioned printable workbook). At the time of release (July, 2020) the Advanced Certificate is not formally accredited though it is my intention to remedy this in due course.

*If the course is sufficiently popular and well-received, I intend to expand upon it and add new learning sessions over time.

The printable workbook is attached to Lecture 1, once registered you should download it there.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to help people find a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives
  • The central theories and concepts underpinning different approaches to existential therapy (et)
  • A wide variety of therapeutic activities and techniques from the different branches of existential therapy
  • The historical development of different approaches to existential therapy
  • Theories & practices associated with logotherapy, existential-humanistic therapy & existential-phenomenological therapy
  • The implications of phenomenology for clinical practice: the importance of subjectivity & inter-subjectivity
  • How to guide those with whom you work towards more authentic, free and empowered modes of living
  • Recent developments in existential therapy such as existential positive psychology & positive psychology 2.0
  • Possible avenues for integrating ideas from existential therapy with cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Existentially-informed techniques, approaches and practices to use in your professional practice

Syllabus

Students will be able to explain the general goals of existential therapy, its philosophical and theoretical basis, and provide a broad overview of the field's development.
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In this session we will:

•Explore different definitions and conceptions of existential therapy

•Identify the main themes focused on in existential therapy

•Identify the goals of existential therapy

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Clearly explain what existential therapy is

•Describe some of the central ideas behind existential psychology

•Explain the goals of existential therapy

In this session we will:

•Explore the philosophical background from which existential therapy emerged

•Identify significant existential philosophers and their influence on existential therapy

•Connect central philosophical ideas to the therapeutic process

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Provide an overview of existential philosophy

•Explain the influence of existential philosophy on existential psychology

•Defend the relevance of existentialism (and philosophy) to clinical psychology

In this session we will:

•Define what an existential hero is

•Analyse the characteristics of existential heroes

•Evaluate the relevance of these characteristics in clinical practice

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Describe the characteristics of existential heroes

•Explain the goals of existential therapy with reference to existential heroes

•Consider how to use case-studies of existential heroes in clinical practice

In this session we will:

•Study the development of existential psychology and existential therapies

•Identify psychologists who have played a role in the development of existential therapies

•Analyse distinctive features of different approaches to existential therapy

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Provide an overview of how existential psychology developed in the last century

•Identify psychologists and therapists who played an important role in the field’s development

•Briefly summarise some of the central ideas from important existential psychologists

In this session we will:

•Discuss different conceptualisations of existential suffering

•Explore the nature of the existential crisis

•Examine the significance of the existential crisis in clinical practice

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Identify existential crises in those you work with

•Explore the possible causes of existential crises in those you work with

•Approach existential crises in those you work with in an existentially-informed way

In this session we will:

•Introduce the central ideas of Frankl and Längle on Logotherapy

•Discuss the clinical significance of meaninglessness and the search for meaning

•Explore practical methods and techniques used in Logotherapy

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Provide an overview of Frankl’s central ideas and theories

•Explain different views about where the experience of ‘meaninglessness’ comes from

•Utilise new therapeutic techniques towards a meaning-driven therapy

In this session we will:

•Discuss the ‘Existential-Humanistic’ branch of existential therapy

•Explore the central ideas and theories of Rollo May, James Bugental & Kirk Schneider

•Explore ‘present-moment awareness’ techniques from the phenomenological perspective

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Explain the central ideas and theories behind the ‘Existential-Humanistic’ approach

•Connect some of these ideas to your own clinical practice

•Try new present-moment awareness techniques with those you work with

In this session we will:

•Take a broad overview of Irvin Yalom’s model of existential psychotherapy

•Introduce the four main existential themes explored by Yalom

•Summarise two main existential defense-mechanisms described by Yalom (1980)

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Summarise Yalom’s view of Existential Psychotherapy

•Explain the 'Ultimate Rescuer' & 'Specialness' defense-mechanisms put forward in Yalom's theory

•Expand upon the four main existential concerns explored by Yalom

In this session we will:

•Take an in-depth look at Yalom’s theories around death and death anxiety in clinical practice

•Identify common defence mechanisms relating to death and their clinical significance

•Explore healthy ways of increasing mortality awareness reducing generalised death anxiety

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Identify common defence mechanisms that prevent useful awareness of death

•Explain the benefits that can be derived from exploring mortality with clients

•Help clients reduce their levels of death anxiety with practical exercises

In this session we will:

•Study the role of existential issues pertaining to ‘freedom’ and ‘responsibility’ in therapy

•Identify common defence-mechanisms used by people to avoid freedom and responsibility

•Analyse the potential significance of these existential ideas in the therapeutic process

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Explain why many people seek to avoid existential freedom and responsibility

•Identify and overcome defence-mechanisms people use to avoid freedom and responsibility

•Connect these existential issues to people you encounter in your therapeutic work

In this session we will:

•Take an in-depth look at Yalom’s theory around the pursuit of meaning in human life

•Describe the challenge of meaninglessness and how it manifests in clinical practice

•Consider potential responses to the challenge of meaninglessness

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Explain the clinical significance of existential concepts: ‘meaning’ and ‘meaninglessness’

•Summarise how patients might respond to the challenge of meaninglessness

•Identify common sources of meaning in human life

In this session we will:

•Examine the significance of ‘Existential Isolation’ in Yalom’s existential psychology

•Explore the role of existential isolation in human suffering

•Explore the implications of existential isolation on the patient-therapist dynamic

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Explain Yalom’s theory on the role of existential isolation in psychopathology

•Explain how existential isolation has implications for clinical practice

•Explain how responses to existential isolation can manifest during the therapeutic process

In this session we will:

•Take an in-depth look at the implications of phenomenology on therapy

•Practice ‘taking the phenomenological perspective’

•Examine phenomenological approaches to therapy

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Explain the importance of phenomenology in existential therapy

•Re-interpret your own interactions in terms of phenomenology

•Approach your work from a phenomenological perspective

In this session we will:

•Explore the theories of psychology and therapy put forward by The British School

•Summarise Van Deurzen’s theory of ‘The Four Dimensions of Human Existence’

•Highlight important ideas and central claims unique to Van Deurzen’s perspective

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Explain what makes The British School different to other forms of existential therapy

•Highlight some of Van Deurzen’s unique contributions to existential therapy

•Apply some of Van Deurzen’s practical advice to your own practice as a therapist

In this session we will:

•Explore the link between anxiety disorders and broader existential issues

•Explain anxiety disorders from the perspectives of existential psychology

•Consider the implications of existential psychology in treating anxiety disorders

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Explain the link between anxiety disorders and broader existential issues

•Integrate existential psychology into your clients’ current work in relation to anxiety

•Bring new ideas from existential therapy to your patients who suffer with anxiety

In this session we will:

•Explore various existential models of depression

•Explain how symptoms of depression can mask existential issues, dilemmas and concerns

•Explore strategies from existential therapy in the treatment of depression

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Recount existential theories around the causes of depression

•Explain the link between depressive symptoms and existential issues

•Apply strategies from existential therapy to your work with depressed clients

In this session we will:

•Explore existential accounts of addiction and substance misuse

•Connect addiction and substance misuse issues with existential philosophy and psychology

•Summarise practical considerations for existential approaches to addiction

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Apply new techniques, informed by existential psychology, to the treatment of addiction

•Apply ideas from existential psychology to patients’ issues with addiction & substance misuse

•Explain the potential links between addictive behaviours and existential issues

In this session we will:

•Explore various existential perspectives on schizophrenia

•Apply existential psychology to the challenges presented in schizophrenia

•Explore strategies from existential therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Recount existential theories around the causes of schizophrenia

•Explain the link between the symptoms of schizophrenia and existential issues

•Utilise strategies from existential therapy in work with those diagnosed with schizophrenia

In this session we will:

•Discuss the similarities and differences between CBT and existential therapy

•Summarise how CBT practitioners can incorporate existential themes and ideas

•Explore how existential therapists might make use of strategies from CBT

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Explain the similarities and overlaps between CBT and existential therapy

•Apply ideas from existential psychology to CBT practice (and vice-versa)

•Evaluate the extent to which these two approaches are complimentary or exclusive

In this session we will:

•Introduce Positive Psychology for those unfamiliar with the concept

•Identify the distinctive features of Existential Positive Psychology (EPP) & Wong’s PP2.0

•Outline the implications of Existential Positive Psychology on therapeutic practice

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Explain the distinctive features of Existential Positive Psychology

•Identify leading figures in the development of Existential Positive Psychology

•Apply ideas from Existential Positive Psychology to your practice as a therapist

In this session we will:

•Explore various avenues of future training, learning and career development in relation to Existential Therapy

By the end of this session you should be able to:

•Neatly summarise the main things you have learnt from this course

•Take things forward in terms of training to be an existential therapist

•Find some good new books to expand and develop your expertise

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the integration of existential therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, offering a broader toolkit for addressing client needs and potentially enhancing therapeutic outcomes
Focuses on helping individuals cultivate wisdom and philosophical truth, which can be valuable for therapists seeking to deepen their understanding of the human condition
Offers techniques to help clients reconnect with the subjective nature of their lives, which can be useful in counteracting overly reductionist views of human behavior
Requires active learning and engagement with a printable workbook, which may pose a barrier for learners who prefer passive learning or lack access to a printer
Examines the historical development of existential therapies, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field's evolution and key figures
Does not offer formal accreditation for the 'Advanced Certificate in Existential Therapy', which may limit its professional recognition at the time of release

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive existential therapy overview

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of existential therapy. Students praise its rich theoretical content and philosophical foundations, delivered by an instructor with deep expertise and clarity. The material is considered highly relevant for professional practice, providing a strong foundation in various existential approaches. Many appreciate the accompanying workbook for facilitating active learning and find the course offers excellent value. While widely praised, some students note its dense, academically rigorous nature, requiring significant engagement, and suggest it serves as a valuable introduction rather than complete professional accreditation.
Good overview, not full accreditation.
"This course provides a comprehensive overview, perfect as a starting point."
"It's a great introduction to existential therapy, but more training is needed for full practice."
"While it gives a firm grasp, it's not a replacement for accredited therapeutic training."
Accompanying workbook aids learning.
"The printable workbook is essential and the activities helped consolidate my understanding."
"I really appreciated the focus on active learning facilitated by the workbook."
"Engaging with the workbook tasks made the material much more concrete."
Offers applicable insights for professional work.
"I found the concepts and techniques discussed highly relevant to my clinical practice."
"It provides valuable insights that I can immediately begin to integrate into my work with clients."
"The course connects theory to practical application in therapy sessions."
Instructor is knowledgeable and explains clearly.
"The instructor's knowledge and clarity are outstanding; he makes complex ideas accessible."
"He is passionate and deeply knowledgeable about the subject matter."
"I learned so much from the engaging lectures delivered by the expert instructor."
Explores philosophical foundations thoroughly.
"Provides an excellent theoretical and philosophical background for understanding existential therapy."
"The course really dives deep into the philosophical underpinnings, which is crucial for this field."
"The content is rich in theory and philosophy, giving a strong foundation."
Content is rigorous and requires focus.
"This course is very dense and academically rigorous; it requires significant focus."
"Be prepared for challenging, postgraduate-level material."
"It's not a light listen; you need to engage actively and reflect on the concepts."

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 Therapy, Psychotherapy & Counselling with these activities:
Review Key Philosophical Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of the philosophical foundations of existential therapy.
Browse courses on Existentialism
Show steps
  • Review the key concepts of existentialism and phenomenology.
  • Read excerpts from the works of key existential philosophers.
  • Reflect on how these concepts relate to existential therapy.
  • Take notes on the key ideas and their relevance to the course.
Watch Videos of Existential Therapy Sessions
Observe experienced therapists applying existential principles in real-world settings.
Show steps
  • Search for videos of existential therapy sessions online.
  • Watch the videos, paying attention to the therapist's techniques and interventions.
  • Reflect on how the therapist addresses the client's existential concerns.
  • Consider how you might incorporate these techniques into your own practice.
Review 'Existential Psychotherapy' by Irvin D. Yalom
Deepen your understanding of core existential concepts by studying a foundational text.
View Existential Psychotherapy on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Existential Psychotherapy' by Irvin D. Yalom.
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and themes.
  • Reflect on how these concepts relate to your own life and practice.
  • Consider how you might apply these ideas in your work with clients.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Discuss Existential Concepts with Peers
Enhance your understanding of existential therapy through collaborative learning and discussion.
Show steps
  • Form a study group with other students in the course.
  • Choose a specific existential concept to discuss.
  • Share your understanding of the concept and listen to others' perspectives.
  • Ask questions and clarify any points of confusion.
Write a Reflection Paper on Your Own Existential Concerns
Enhance your understanding of existential therapy by exploring your own existential anxieties and concerns.
Show steps
  • Reflect on your own experiences with death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness.
  • Write a paper exploring these themes in your own life.
  • Analyze how these concerns might impact your work as a therapist.
  • Consider how existential therapy can help you address these concerns.
Develop an Existential Therapy Case Conceptualization
Solidify your understanding of existential therapy by applying its principles to a real or hypothetical case.
Show steps
  • Select a case study (real or hypothetical) of a client.
  • Identify the client's presenting problems and relevant history.
  • Conceptualize the case from an existential perspective, focusing on themes such as death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness.
  • Develop a treatment plan based on existential principles.
  • Present your case conceptualization to a supervisor or peer for feedback.
Review 'The Gift of Therapy' by Irvin D. Yalom
Gain practical insights into the therapeutic process from a master clinician.
View The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Gift of Therapy' by Irvin D. Yalom.
  • Read the book, focusing on the advice and insights offered.
  • Reflect on how you can apply these ideas to your own practice.
  • Discuss the book with colleagues or mentors to gain further perspectives.

Career center

Learners who complete Existential Therapy, Psychotherapy & Counselling will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Counselor
The role of a counselor involves providing guidance and support to individuals facing personal or psychological challenges. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Existential Therapy, which greatly informs your counseling approach. By exploring the theories and practices of contemporary Existential Therapy, you will be prepared to help individuals live more authentically, maximize autonomy, and find meaning in their lives. Understanding the philosophical underpinnings of existentialism is invaluable in helping clients address existential anxieties and live more fulfilling lives. The course's insights into Logotherapy, Existential-Humanistic Therapy, and other approaches will equip you with varied techniques applicable in counseling.
See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor
Psychotherapist
As a psychotherapist, you help patients navigate their mental and emotional health challenges. This course focusing on Existential Therapy provides a strong foundation in a specific therapeutic approach, equipping you with tools to guide clients toward authentic living, increased autonomy, and a deeper sense of meaning. Understanding the goals of existential therapies and their philosophical roots will enhance your ability to help patients face life's realities and live more engaged lives. The course's exploration of Logotherapy, Existential-Humanistic Therapy, and Existential-Phenomenological Therapy expands your therapeutic toolkit, making you a more versatile and effective psychotherapist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Psychotherapist
Life Coach
Life coaches guide individuals in achieving their personal and professional goals, and this course enhances your skill set by providing a deeper understanding of human motivation and purpose. By exploring existential concepts such as authenticity, freedom, and responsibility, you can empower clients to make meaningful choices and live more fulfilling lives. This course helps clients clarify their values, overcome limiting beliefs, and pursue their aspirations with greater clarity and conviction. By having advanced knowledge of Existential Therapy, you stand apart as a life coach from the rest.
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Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. This course aids in your therapeutic toolkit with Existential Therapy techniques. Understanding existential concepts such as freedom, responsibility, and meaninglessness provides a deeper understanding of the human condition, potentially leading to more holistic and effective treatment plans. This course's focus may enable you to help clients confront existential anxieties and live more authentically. The course's coverage of Logotherapy, Existential-Humanistic Therapy, and other approaches offers additional perspectives for clinical practice.
See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Psychologist
Grief Counselor
Grief counselors specialize in helping individuals cope with loss and bereavement. This course equips you with tools to assist people in finding meaning and purpose in the face of profound grief. The existential approach emphasizes confronting mortality and living authentically, which helps clients navigate their grief and find resilience. This insight can be invaluable in guiding individuals through the grieving process and helping them construct a renewed sense of purpose. The course touches on helping people face reality and certain 'existential givens' (such as death/mortality) so that they can live more full and engaged lives.
See salaries and explore the career path for Grief Counselor
Career Counselor
Career counselors assist individuals in making informed decisions about their career paths. This course enhances your understanding of how meaning and purpose play a role in career satisfaction. By exploring existential concepts such as authenticity and self-discovery, you can help clients choose careers that align with their values and provide a sense of fulfillment. This helps clients find greater satisfaction and engagement in their professional lives. The course's focus on helping people find meaning and purpose in life directly translates to helping individuals find purpose in their careers.
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Addiction Counselor
As an addiction counselor, you support individuals struggling with substance abuse and addictive behaviors. This course may inform your therapeutic approach, providing insights into the existential roots of addiction. By exploring the underlying issues of meaninglessness, isolation, and lack of purpose that often contribute to addiction, you guide clients towards more fulfilling and authentic lives. Understanding existential concepts helps address the deeper emotional and psychological needs driving addictive behaviors. The course's coverage of existential approaches to common mental health challenges, including addiction, may provide valuable strategies for your practice.
See salaries and explore the career path for Addiction Counselor
Pastoral Counselor
Pastoral counselors integrate psychological principles with religious or spiritual beliefs to support individuals within a faith-based context. This course may be useful, providing a deep dive into Existential Therapy, which helps to address fundamental questions of meaning, purpose, and existence. This focus aligns well with the spiritual dimensions of pastoral care. By understanding the core concepts of existentialism, such as authenticity and responsibility, you can better guide individuals in their spiritual journeys and help them find deeper meaning in their faith. The course's exploration of various existential therapies and their integration with Positive Psychology may broaden your counseling techniques.
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School Counselor
School counselors support students' academic, social, and emotional development. This course may be relevant in addressing issues of identity, purpose, and belonging that students often grapple with. By understanding existential concepts, you can provide a framework for students to explore their values, make responsible choices, and find meaning in their educational journey. This helps create a supportive environment where students can develop a strong sense of self. The course's insights into Existential-Humanistic Therapy may be applicable in fostering student self-awareness and personal growth.
See salaries and explore the career path for School Counselor
Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors assist individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses in achieving their personal, social, and vocational goals. This course may be a useful addition to your knowledge base. By understanding the existential challenges that clients face such as loss of independence, feelings of isolation, or lack of purpose you can assist them in constructing a meaningful and fulfilling life despite their limitations. The course's exploration of Logotherapy, which focuses on finding meaning even in suffering, can be particularly relevant in rehabilitation settings. This course may broaden your perspective and skill set.
See salaries and explore the career path for Rehabilitation Counselor
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatric nurses provide specialized care to patients with mental health conditions, and this course may enhance your understanding of the philosophical and psychological underpinnings of mental illness. Existential Therapy offers a unique perspective on suffering and the search for meaning, potentially leading to more compassionate and effective care. The course's focus on existential issues related to anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia may be particularly valuable in a psychiatric nursing setting. This course may broaden your approach to patient care.
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Social Worker
Social workers support individuals and communities facing a wide range of social and emotional challenges. This course may be useful, providing a deeper understanding of the existential issues that often underlie these challenges, such as poverty, discrimination, and trauma. By understanding concepts like meaninglessness and isolation, you can develop more effective strategies for empowering clients and promoting social justice. The course may inform your approach to social work practice.
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Human Resources Manager
A human resources manager oversees employee relations and organizational development. This course may add another dimension to how you see the workplace environment. The exploration of existential themes promotes enhanced understanding of human motivation, job satisfaction, and employee well-being. By understanding existential concepts, you can foster a more meaningful and supportive work environment. The course's insights into helping people find meaning and purpose may translate to initiatives that enhance employee engagement and reduce burnout.
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Mediator
A mediator facilitates communication and helps parties resolve conflicts. This course enhances skills in understanding the underlying motivations and values driving individuals. By exploring existential themes such as authenticity and responsibility, you can help parties in conflict identify their core concerns and find common ground. The course can inform your approach to conflict resolution and promote more meaningful and lasting agreements. The course's emphasis on subjectivity and inter-subjectivity may be particularly relevant in mediation settings.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mediator
Writer
Writers create content for various media, and this course equips you with a deeper understanding of the human condition, enriching your storytelling abilities. By exploring existential themes such as love, loss, and the search for meaning, you can create more compelling and relatable characters and narratives. The course offers a framework for exploring the complexities of human experience and crafting stories that resonate with readers on a profound level. The course may inform how you approach your creative output.
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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Existential Therapy, Psychotherapy & Counselling.
Cover image
Existential Psychotherapy
Save
Is considered a seminal text in the field of existential psychotherapy. It provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts and themes, including death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness. Yalom's work is frequently referenced in existential therapy training programs and is essential reading for anyone seeking a deep understanding of this approach. It expands on the course material by providing detailed case studies and practical applications.
Existential Psychotherapy
Paperback
Check
Existential Psychotherapy
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Gift of Therapy
Save
Offers practical advice and insights for therapists, drawing on Yalom's extensive experience. While not solely focused on existential therapy, it provides valuable perspectives on the therapeutic relationship, self-disclosure, and dealing with difficult clients. It is particularly helpful for those new to the field or seeking to refine their therapeutic skills. This book adds breadth to the course by providing practical guidance applicable across different therapeutic modalities.
The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New...
Paperback
$$
The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New...
Hardcover
$$
(Español) El don de la terapia
Paperback
$$
The Gift of Therapy
Paperback
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Rating
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Effort
18.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Adam Godwin (MA)
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the integration of existential therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, offering a broader toolkit for addressing client needs and potentially enhancing therapeutic outcomes
Focuses on helping individuals cultivate wisdom and philosophical truth, which can be valuable for therapists seeking to deepen their understanding of the human condition
Offers techniques to help clients reconnect with the subjective nature of their lives, which can be useful in counteracting overly reductionist views of human behavior
Requires active learning and engagement with a printable workbook, which may pose a barrier for learners who prefer passive learning or lack access to a printer
Examines the historical development of existential therapies, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field's evolution and key figures
Does not offer formal accreditation for the 'Advanced Certificate in Existential Therapy', which may limit its professional recognition at the time of release
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