1. Existential Theory
By “The Existentialists” - Melissa Solano, Stephanie Everitt,
Betty Jo Schafer, & Adam Benden

2. What is Existentialism all about, anyway?

3. Fact Sheet
Yalom’s Ultimate Concerns
Death/Mortality
Freedom
Isolation
Meaninglessness/Meaning

4. Fact Sheet
Four Worlds Model
Physical or natural (Unwelt)
Social (Mitwelt)
Personal or psychological (Eigenwelt)
Spiritual (Uberwelt)

5. Fact Sheet
❖Other key concepts:
➢ Anxiety
➢ Guilt
➢ Authenticity
❖Evidenced-based interventions
❖Populations that would benefit from this therapy

6. Existential Theory as a framework for assessment
“....it is useful to have a frame of reference to enable you to have enough
distance from their experience and make sure that all different aspects of the
client’s reality are explored.” - Van Deurzen (2012)

7. Four Worlds Model
● Umwelt (Physical World)
○ Instinctual behavior
○ Basic physical needs
● Mitwelt (Social World)
○ Unrealistic construct of relationships
○ Realistic expectations and boundaries
○ Who will she choose to be in relationships?
● Eigenwelt (Personal World)
○ Needs to cultivate self-awareness

8. Yalom’s Ultimate Concerns
❖Death
❖Freedom
➢ To make choices about her own life and character
➢ Avoiding the responsibility of choosing
❖Isolation
➢ Avoids self-intimacy
➢ Physical isolation from family
❖Meaninglessness

9. The Therapeutic Alliance and Building Rapport w/
Existential Theory
Being with as opposed to doing to (Harris, 2013)
“Primary Relatedness” and Transference
The client’s history is disclosed or made in each session - there is no necessarily
objective history we can access about the client beyond what they reveal to us
Therapeutic space in Existential Therapy (Cohn, 1997)
Client’s thoughts and feeling from their situation
Therapist provides “space” where these thoughts and feelings are seen, clarified, and understood

10. Relevant Questions for Clients from Existential Theory
Questions for Maria would emphasize existential factors such as freedom, meaning,
isolation, guilt, or anxiety. However, these questions must be asked within a
therapeutic relationship which is empathetic, supportive, and engaging (Yalom, 2002).
When have you felt most like your “truest self,” the best version of Maria?
When do you feel most connected to others?
When do you feel most alone?
What if it wasn’t destined that you wouldn’t turn out like your mother - how would
that change the way you live your life now?
Sometimes, thinking about what we would want to be remembered for after we are
gone can be a really powerful way to understand what really matters to us. What
would you want to be remembered for, Maria?

11. Discussion of Theory-Related Interventions
Existential Dynamic Therapy “VITA”
Four Components and Meta Reflection
i. Existential
ii. Narrative
iii. Dynamic
iv. Affect-Focused
Existential Behavior Therapy “EBT”
Group-Oriented Sessions and Objectives
i. Mindfulness

12. Mindfulness-Based Existential Therapy (MBET)
MBET is a framework that connects mindfulness and existential therapy by using
acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Similarities of mindfulness and existential-phenomenological therapy
Acknowledge change
Impermanence
Uncertainty
Suffering/existential anxiety
Death
ACT is humanistic and encourages compassion, empathy, acceptance, respect, and

13. Why MBET?
Mindfulness is used in psychotherapy to:
support goals
reduce stress
help prevent relapse and
achieve other objectives
Mindfulness increases attention, which is helpful in the treatment of
depression.
MBET enhances the client’s awareness and attention, therefore helping them
stay focused on what is most important in the present moment.

14. Maria’s Goals
1. Reunification with her grandparents and siblings
Create a transition plan; Reestablish a connection with her grandparents and gain their approval in
returning to their home
Existential theme: Isolation
2. Get the stealing and drinking under control
Choose a treatment option; Become familiar with the city’s public transportation system.
Existential theme: Meaninglessness
3. Get a GED
Acquire a GED prep textbook; Enroll in a GED prep course.

15. Theory Application & Group Activity
❏ What is authenticity and what does it mean to you?
❏ What are you doing and how are you being when you are
authentic?
❏ What obstacles get in the way of your being authentic (e.g.
beliefs, self-images, attitudes, emotions, etc.)?

16. Thank You For Your Attention and Participation!