Existential Psychotherapy
An essential element of existential psychotherapy is that it emphasises the relationship that is developed between therapist and client. This, at a practical level, means that I do not hold a distant and impersonal stance, on the contrary, I believe very much in human presence and our true encounter within the clear boundaries that define therapy. So while I always like to hold the best ethical and professional standards, my way of working is approachable and I encourage open dialogue and cooperation to achieve what feels important to you. I truly value the subjective experience of each person so together, we create a therapeutic space which you’ll find suitable to you.
Each one of us have our own system of beliefs and values, our own philosophy and worldview which becomes apparent in the way we live day by day. This will come into light in our conversations and you will start to understand better the ways you’re operating in your life and your relationships with other people.
As a therapist, I maintain the position that you’re the absolute expert when it comes to your life. In respect to that view, I operate as a co-explorer in the topics arising from our conversations. I’m not trying to give solutions to your problems, rather, I encourage you to explore a little deeper how your values and the meanings you’ve constructed affect your life. Through our dialogue, we’ll find out what’s more important to you in the way you live and how you wish to live from now on.
I definitely believe that one of the most significant outcomes of a therapeutic process is for you to take ownership of your life and that you’re able to consciously choose what you want to change in your way of living, as well as what you don’t. This of course is connected with a sense of responsibility which comes with every choice we make. Every time we choose to do something, we also leave something out.
As human beings we already belong in a context and circumstances we didn’t necessarily choose (we can’t, for example, choose our height, or our birthplace), but we can always choose our stance to any circumstance and that’s what makes us free and also what we’ll come to discuss in our work together.
Therapy is a place where you’ll be able to make new connections and find more possibilities in how you live your life. I don’t actually try to change the way you live, but surely some changes will come through our meetings. One of the earliest meanings of the word “therapy” is to assist, to be with, to attend to. Maybe this is what most closely resembles what I think is the duty of a therapist, as I understand it at the moment.
