The workshop is appropriate for training and practising counsellors, psychotherapists, counselling psychologists and other mental health professionals. Existential therapy is a diverse, vibrant, and wonderfully rich tapestry of understandings and methods that has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the work of any counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist. It is one of the oldest forms of therapy, yet still one of the most innovative and radical. Existential therapy is orientated around the development of a deep relational bond with the client, which allows the client to explore the most fundamental aspects of their existence. This includes questions like: ‘What is the meaning of my life?’ ‘What choices can I make?’ and ‘How do I face the limits of my circumstances?’ This workshop introduces participants to the basic principles of existential philosophy and therapy, and looks at how practitioners of all orientations can integrate these ideas and practices into their own work.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Understand the core principles of existential philosophy

Understand the principal aims and forms of existential counselling and psychotherapy

Apply existential understanding of freedom and choice to their therapeutic practice

Apply existential understanding of limitations to their therapeutic practice

Apply existential understandings of meaning and purpose to their therapeutic practice

SCHEDULE

Session 1: Introduction to existential philosophy and therapy

Session 2: Working with freedom and choice

Session 3: Facing the limitations of existence

Session 4: Helping clients find meaning and purpose in life

FORMAT

The workshop combines self-development exercises, theoretical input, practical exercises, and small and large group discussion.

The workshop is appropriate for training and practising counsellors, psychotherapists, counselling psychologists and other mental health professionals.