Existential philosophy places a great emphasis on the concept of freedom of choice. Although we are limited by our individual circumstances and values, we possess a far greater degree of freedom than we may think or want to admit. This means we are ‘condemned’ to our freedom, and we must take responsibility for our choices.

The power of freedom to choose how we respond to any situation is both exhilarating and anxiety-inducing. With the freedom to choose comes the possibility of making the ‘wrong’ choice, leading to loss and subsequently, the realm of responsibility. This can be uncomfortable, making it easier to blame circumstances rather than owning our choices. We are faced with another choice here, to accept responsibility and own our role-play or avoid responsibility by attributing events to the situation we find ourselves in.

Denial of responsibility may make us feel like victims of fate, resulting in a loss of power and control over our lives. Acceptance, on the other hand, can give us back a sense of control and empowerment. If we are free to choose our paths, then we also have the power to change, within the limitations of our given circumstances.

Existential therapy aims to make us aware of this power, encouraging us to take responsibility for our choices and become more empowered in our lives. By understanding the relationship between choice and responsibility, we can embrace our freedom and make meaningful changes towards a more fulfilling life.

Existential philosophy and psychotherapy emphasize that anxiety is an inevitable aspect of existence, stemming from our confrontations with our limitations, finiteness, and the unknown. While fear has a specific object, existential anxiety is about our own being in existence, and it can be unsettling, frustrating, and terrifying. However, rather than pushing it away, we can choose to learn from this experience and live our lives to the fullest.

Living in balance means not being ruled by recklessness or controlled by anxiety, but rather acknowledging the tension between the two. Existential anxiety is a warning or teaching that redirects us towards knowledge and self-actualization. Trying to eliminate anxiety is not only an illusion but also an obstacle to a reflective and courageous life.

Through Existential therapy, we can develop a greater awareness of our anxiety, understand its origins and learn how to manage it in a healthy, constructive way. We can embrace our anxiety as a natural part of our existence, and use it to help us grow, rather than letting it control us. By living in balance with our anxiety, we can lead a more fulfilling and authentic life.

Death is the one certainty that we all must face, and yet it remains an unpredictable and an anxiety-inducing unknown. The fear of death can lead us to live in a false sense of certainty, procrastinating and missing out on opportunities. However, the acknowledgement of death’s inevitability can also serve as a motivator to live life more fully and authentically.

In existential thought and therapy, death is seen as the ultimate and unavoidable limitation of our existence. Rather than denying or avoiding this truth, existentialists encourage us to confront it in order to gain a deeper appreciation for life. The possibility of death gives meaning and urgency to our existence, reminding us to focus on what is truly important.

Beliefs in an afterlife or spiritual transformation can offer comfort, but they do not change the fact that death marks the end of our physical existence and all of its possibilities. However, the thought of death can also be a powerful tool to help us prioritize our values and goals. By recognizing the fragility of life, we can let go of trivial matters and focus on what truly matters.

Confronting death can be a difficult and uncomfortable process, but it can also be transformative. It can help us move forward with a renewed sense of purpose, passion, and appreciation for the present moment. Rather than letting the fear of death hold us back, we can use it as a reminder to live life to the fullest and embrace the inevitable.

Existential psychotherapy is based on the premise that we are born into a world without inherent meaning, and that we are ultimately destined to die. This can lead to a feeling of pointlessness, absurdity, and despair. But according to this approach, the absence of objective meaning in life is actually a gift, as it allows us to create our own purpose and find meaning in our existence.

One of the keys to finding meaning is recognizing that we are free to make choices, despite the limitations and pressures that society and our families may place upon us. While succumbing to these external expectations may feel like the safe or easy route, it ultimately leaves us unfulfilled and disconnected from our true selves. We must be willing to confront the struggles and challenges of life, even when doing so leads to feelings of guilt and anxiety.

Existential psychotherapy emphasizes that meaning is not fixed or static, but rather constantly evolving. What gave our life meaning at one point may no longer resonate with us, and it is up to us to find new sources of significance. When we experience a loss of meaning, such as the end of a relationship or the loss of a job, it can be an incredibly difficult and overwhelming experience. However, this is also an opportunity to re-evaluate our values and priorities, and to find new meaning in life.

In order to create meaning and find purpose, we must be willing to take an honest look at ourselves and our lives. This can be a challenging and sometimes painful process, but it is essential for growth and fulfillment. Existential psychotherapy provides a framework for exploring these questions and working through the difficult emotions that can arise in the search for meaning. By embracing our freedom and courageously confronting life’s challenges, we can find a sense of purpose and meaning in even the most seemingly meaningless existence.

In existential psychotherapy, relationships are considered a crucial aspect of healthy living. Our connections with the people, animals, and natural world around us shape our worldview and the meaning we give to our lives. The relationships we have with ourselves and with our therapist are also central to the therapeutic work.

From the existential perspective, we are born into a world with other beings, and we are all interdependent. Our survival, physical and emotional well-being, and social life depend on our relationships with others. Therefore, the quality of our relationships is essential for living a harmonious life. In this sense, existential therapy focuses on exploring personal relationships.

Interpersonal difficulties are common reasons why individuals seek therapy. Life’s painful experiences, such as trauma or suffering, can impact the way we relate to others, ourselves, and the world around us. These difficulties often extend into the therapy room and affect the relationship between the client and therapist. For this reason, the therapeutic relationship is used as a mirror to identify and remove the individual’s relationship issues.

Group therapy is an excellent space to work on interpersonal difficulties. In this setting, the therapist can observe the client’s way of relating to others, and a wider range of behavioral patterns is exposed than in individual sessions. As group members interact with each other, various interpersonal relationship difficulties are triggered and manifested. The client receives feedback from both group members and the therapist, allowing them to become aware of how they are with others, how they affect or are affected by others, and how others perceive them. The goal is to identify obstacles to establishing satisfactory interpersonal relationships and work through them by exploring responses and behaviors.

In summary, relationships are a crucial aspect of our existence, and their quality determines the harmony of our lives. Existential therapy recognizes this importance and uses the therapeutic relationship and group therapy as tools to explore and improve interpersonal connections.