My therapy approach can be defined as existential-integrative where I combine the existential approach with other types of therapies such as systemic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and interpersonal therapy depending on your needs.
Existential therapy views psychological distress as associated with how one copes with the fundamental conflicts of being a human. These conflicts refer to the following:
- We are obliged to live with uncertainty, facing conditions beyond our control.
- We know that life will end one day but do not know when and how
- We continuously search for meaning in life, while this meaning might eventually fade out.
- We have the freedom to choose among alternatives in every situation, and we are responsible for our choices.
- We need and desire to be in relation with others, however we know that we are ultimately separate and on our own.
- We want to be clear on who we are but we can never be certain.
At the core of the existential therapy is the idea that we all have the capabilities and personal responsibility for creating our own meaning and path in life, through our choices.
Our work together will be guided by your needs and priorities and we will work on exploring different areas of how you live, starting with where you feel more challenged. You may see an overview of those areas below:
We’ll explore what gives your life meaning and helps you find a sense of purpose. We’ll look into the activities, relationships, and goals that bring you joy and fulfillment. We’ll also look into how your personal values and beliefs shape your sense of purpose. Together, we’ll figure out what makes you feel most alive and motivated in your daily life.
We’ll explore how you use your freedom to make decisions and guide your life’s direction. We’ll also look into the balance between your autonomy and the responsibilities you hold toward yourself and others. Our goal will be to empower you to make choices that feel true to who you really are.
We’ll look at your relationship dynamics, your senses of intimacy and distance, how you set boundaries within relationships, and how you deal with relationship conflicts. Together, we’ll also explore ways for you to express your feelings and thoughts more clearly. We’ll work together on helping you build more satisfactory and meaningful relations and enhance your sense of intimacy and belonging.
We will explore your emotional world so that you gain insight into your feelings and discover ways to express and manage them more effectively. We'll also look into any patterns and behaviors that might be holding you back from living the life you desire. Together, we'll identify these patterns, and understand their origins, so that you can make new choices for a more fulfilling life.
We’ll look into how you see yourself and what shapes your identity. We’ll discuss how your past experiences, cultural and family background, and life roles contribute to your sense of self. If you’re struggling with conflicts around your identity, like balancing different roles or meeting others’ expectations, we’ll work on clarifying who you are at your core. We’ll identify any barriers that prevent you from being genuine and work on how you may more effectively communicate your thoughts and feelings. We’ll work on building your confidence to live in line with your inner values and beliefs.
We will address anxieties and fears connected to the main challenges of life, such as the fear of loss (of life, safety, health, loved ones, social status, money, opportunities, or dreams), dealing with uncertainty during times of change, making decisions and taking responsibility for them, creating and maintaining relationships, and finding meaning and purpose. We will explore how these anxieties manifest in your life and impact your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. We will focus on coping strategies that will help you manage these fears and face them with courage, ultimately accepting to live with life’s inevitable uncertainties and making choices that are true to yourself.
I will take on a role similar to that of a companion, accompanying you on the journey of psychotherapy within a mutual and authentic relationship, with complete focus on you. With an open, accepting, and exploratory attitude, I will support the exploration of your world, allowing you to reveal it, re-examine it, and evaluate the possibilities of your choices.
I will not attempt to impose changes, but I will contribute to the decision-making process, helping you evaluate your options based on your values and personal meaning.
I invite you to embark on this journey of psychotherapy with me, for a fresh breath and a new perspective on your life.
2024 Mentha Counseling @ All rights reserved