Existential Therapy: Finding Meaning in the Face of Life’s Uncertainty

Existential Therapy: Finding Meaning in the Face of Life’s Uncertainty

At some point, we all ask ourselves the big questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? What happens when I die? While these questions can be unsettling, existential therapy views them as essential to living a meaningful life.

Rooted in existential philosophy, this therapeutic approach helps individuals confront the fundamental realities of existence—freedom, responsibility, isolation, meaning, and mortality. Instead of focusing on symptom reduction, existential therapy encourages deep self-exploration, helping people live more authentically and purposefully.

Core Principles of Existential Therapy

Existential therapy is grounded in the idea that life has no inherent meaning—rather, we are responsible for creating our own. It explores four key “givens” of human existence:

1. Freedom and Responsibility: You Are the Author of Your Life

We often seek security in external factors—social norms, relationships, or careers—but ultimately, we are free to shape our own lives. With this freedom comes responsibility: we must own our choices and their consequences.

• Example: Feeling stuck in a job you dislike? Instead of blaming circumstances, existential therapy encourages asking, What am I willing to change?

2. Isolation: The Paradox of Connection

While we crave connection, existential therapy acknowledges that, at our core, we are ultimately alone in our experiences. No one else can fully live our life for us. However, rather than fearing this isolation, we can embrace it as part of being human and seek authentic relationships.

• Example: Instead of relying on others to “complete” us, we learn to cultivate self-awareness and genuine connection.

3. Meaning and Meaninglessness: Creating Purpose in a Chaotic World

Existential therapy recognizes that life has no predetermined meaning—we must create it for ourselves. When individuals feel lost, anxious, or depressed, therapy helps them reconnect with their values and find purpose in daily life.

• Example: A person struggling with existential dread may explore what brings them a sense of fulfillment—whether through creativity, relationships, or personal growth.

4. Mortality: Embracing the Reality of Death

Rather than seeing death as something to fear, existential therapy encourages people to view it as motivation to live fully. Acknowledging our mortality helps us prioritize what truly matters.

• Example: A person facing a health crisis may reassess how they spend their time, focusing on meaningful experiences rather than distractions.

How Existential Therapy Helps

This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with:

• Anxiety and Depression – Helps individuals explore existential fears and find purpose.

• Major Life Transitions – Supports those experiencing identity crises, loss, or career changes.

• Grief and Loss – Provides a framework for processing death and impermanence.

• Addiction and Avoidance Behaviors – Encourages taking responsibility for one’s actions and choices.

Techniques Used in Existential Therapy

While existential therapy is less structured than other approaches, therapists use key techniques to guide clients:

• Deep Questioning – Asking thought-provoking questions like, What do you truly want in life? or What would you do if fear weren’t holding you back?

• Exploring Personal Values – Helping clients clarify what genuinely matters to them.

• Confronting Existential Anxiety – Encouraging individuals to sit with discomfort rather than avoid it.

• Living Authentically – Supporting clients in making choices aligned with their true selves.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Life’s Uncertainty

Existential therapy doesn’t offer easy answers—it encourages us to grapple with life’s biggest questions and create our own meaning. While this can feel daunting, it’s also deeply liberating.

Instead of asking, What is the meaning of life? existential therapy invites us to ask, What makes my life meaningful? What does meaning look like for you? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments!