I have never been to an existential therapist but have met a few and I would not like to go to them. So any of you have experience with this form of therapy? It sounds kind of depressing to me

[Out There]

My main T is existential and I like it. It does have it's humour ( see " Henri the existential cat videos on YouTube ) But some branches are more " bleak " I suppose.

When I heard the main beliefs and values, my jaw just dropped to the floor! It's very bleak, I was wondering if you were anyway suicidal how that would help

[Out There]

It can change your perspective - I began a spiritual emergence about two years in with my T that I wasn't expecting. But we look externally for things and don't look within ourselves , and that's where the treasure is. And I think we struggle until we DO look within ourselves , then struggle with the contrast within inner and outer and what we've largely been taught and believe.

I recommend Yalom's Existential Psychotherapy. It is quite heavy going, but it's a great book. I am sold on existentialism, and it will definitely form part of my integrative practice. I just love its philosophical basis. My supervisor is existentialist too

[Out There]

Yaloms books scare people at 20 paces. My T scares me at 20 paces sometimes !

I hated him when I first read love's executioner, but I really like existential psychotherapy and group therapy.

[unaluna]

Well thats the whole deal. If you are so invested in winning an argument, shouldnt you at least be aware of what you are arguing about? And once you become aware of what you are arguing about, you think about what it really matters or means.

I find existentialism very useful for myself, as a mode of thinking. To be honest, the concept of existential loneliness is something I find both exhilarating and comforting. Or perhaps "exhilarating" is not quite the right word - liberating and validating, rather. When I was suicidal, I found articles like the ones found here very helpful.

I've never read Yalom and my therapy is not based on existentialism, though.

I will look forward to reading some of those articles Crocus. As for Yalom, I have read most of his books and although I dislike him I love his books. He has been criticised within the existential community for avoiding death. His group therapy book is like a bible to me.

Originally Posted by Out There

It can change your perspective - I began a spiritual emergence about two years in with my T that I wasn't expecting. But we look externally for things and don't look within ourselves , and that's where the treasure is. And I think we struggle until we DO look within ourselves , then struggle with the contrast within inner and outer and what we've largely been taught and believe.

This is so true. It's something my t is always saying to me look within and you will find all of the answers.

He doesn't avoid death at all. It's central to a lot of his writing. Staring at the Sun https://www.amazon.co.uk/Staring-At-.../dp/0749928786 is about just that.

That's a criticism of his writings, that he avoids his own fear of death. I don't really know if I would agree with that criticism but it is there!