Existential Psychotherapy - An Introduction

The primary purpose of this course is to demystify existential psychotherapy by providing a asic grounding in its philosophical roots, core principles, and practical applications.

Existential psychotherapy is not just a set of techniques; it is a way of approaching human experience that emphasizes meaning, freedom, responsibility, and authenticity. The scope of this course extends from the historical development of existential thought, through its translation into therapeutic practice, to its contemporary relevance in addressing modern psychological challenges.

Throughout the webinar, you will encounter the major thinkers who shaped existentialism, such as Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Viktor Frankl. You will also learn how their ideas have been adapted to help individuals confront issues like anxiety, isolation, and the search for meaning. By the end, you will have a nuanced understanding of how existential psychotherapy differs from, and complements, other therapeutic modalities.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes 📝

Clear learning objectives are essential for guiding your progress and ensuring that you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the historical and philosophical foundations of existential psychotherapy.
• Identify the key principles and concepts that define existential psychotherapy.
• Compare existential psychotherapy with other major therapeutic approaches, such as CBT, psychoanalysis, and person-centered therapy.
• Recognize the types of psychological challenges for which existential psychotherapy is particularly well-suited.
• Apply basic existential concepts and techniques in hypothetical or real-world scenarios.
• Critically evaluate the strengths, limitations, and empirical support for existential psychotherapy.

These objectives are designed to ensure that you not only understand existential psychotherapy in theory but also appreciate its practical relevance and limitations.

In addition, all attendees will be able to enrol in our 1linked 1 module, 28 lesson online, extensive self-paced course at a discounted rate.

Resources

A full set of slides with extensive clickable links to free online resources, is sent free to all delegates after the event. This also includes references to key sources.

CPD

A CPD Certificate of Attendance confirming 2 hours skills CPD is available to all delegates who attend.

Facilitator

Professor Patrick McGhee is a CBT therapist, psychologist and UK National Teaching Fellow. Educated at the universities of Glasgow and Oxford, he has completed CPD programmes at Harvard Business School and Ashridge. In 2017 he was a Visiting Fellow/Scholar at the universities of Cornell, Yale and MIT in the USA. He has taught, researched or practised in psychology and therapy for 30 years. His first post was a Research Fellow in Psychiatry and Psychology at St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London. He is the author of Thinking Psychologically (Palgrave) and co-editor of Accounting for Relationships (Methuen). He is an occasional columnist for the Guardian, the BBC and the Times Higher. He currently works in private practice in Greater Manchester and Lancashire. He has full accreditation from the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.

Joining instructions

Joining instructions for the webinar will be sent to participants on registration and again approximately 24 hours and 20 minutes before the start of the event. Please aim to join about 10 minutes before the start of the event to check connections.