“Existential therapy is the only therapy, indeed the only endeavor, that enables one to confront the givens of existence—to find meaning in the face of mortality, to find the will to act and the courage to love despite the dark certainties.”
- Dr. Irvin Yalom
Existential Therapy at The Gaia Center
Existential Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes the exploration of the human condition, focusing on universal issues (sometimes called the “existential givens”) such as meaning, freedom, isolation, and mortality.
Practicing therapy with an existential lens helps our clients confront these fundamental concerns more directly than is typically explored in many other theoretical approaches, ultimately supporting them to live more authentically and purposefully.
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Existential and humanistic psychotherapy originated in the mid-20th century, drawing from the philosophical works of Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Key figures like Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, and Irvin Yalom further developed these ideas into therapeutic practices, emphasizing human potential, freedom of choice, and the search for meaning.
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Existential Therapy is effective for addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, identity, and existential crises like fear of death and lack of purpose. The goals are to help clients find meaning in their experiences, embrace their freedom to choose, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves within the context of their lives.
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Research supports the effectiveness of Existential Therapy in enhancing psychological well-being, improving emotional regulation, and fostering personal growth. It helps clients navigate life’s inherent challenges by focusing on their values, beliefs, and purpose.
(*The terms “subconscious” and “unconscious” are often used interchangeably in the field of hypnosis / hypnotherapy.)
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At The Gaia Center, the existential and humanistic therapy lens is core to our philosophy and understanding of both human suffering and human potential. By recognizing how the existential “givens” impact mental health and relationships, and placing human psychology and behavior within the wider contexts and systems we belong to, our approach to Existential Therapy brings a depth to the therapeutic process that is both deeply personal and broadly universal. This aligns with The Gaia Center’s motto, “Grow within, heal together.”
Additionally, our founder Valerie Martin is currently a Psychology doctoral student at Saybrook University (founded by leaders in humanistic psychology over 50 years ago), with a specialization in Existential & Humanistic Psychology.
“Time itself cannot be made, but if time is a medium, what can be made present with it? Can it be stretched and compressed like clay? Can it be turned like wood, carved like stone, bent like glass, or woven like twine? If we use time to make new forms, perhaps those forms can help us tell stories that have previously gone untold.”
— artist Alicia Eggert
Alicia Eggert, This Present Moment, 2019
Interested in Existential Therapy?
If you’re interested in exploring Existential Therapy in Nashville, contact The Gaia Center for Embodied Healing. Our skilled therapists are here to guide you through this profound and transformative approach. Let us help you find more meaning and purpose in your life.