Alternative Therapy Types

Existential Psychotherapy Imperialism The class text makes mention in one of its chapters about existential psychotherapy. This treatment style seems to be yet another tool in the proverbial toolbox that psychiatrists and therapists can use or advocate along the same lines as cognitive behavioral therapy, EDMR and so forth. The author of this report will review how it came to be, what it is comprised of and how/why it may work for many or at least some people.

The author will also offer thoughts and feelings about how promising and relevant this topic seems to be. While some therapeutic techniques are more widely known and/or ostensibly effective than others, it is also true that any method that garners good results for even a subset of patients is worth exploring or leaving aside as an option should the need arise.

Analysis As was made clear by the text, the people behind the field of existential psychotherapy are some of the heavyweights of the history of the general subject of psychotherapy. Such people, per the book and other sources the author of this report glanced at, include Friedrich Nietzsche, Soren Kierkegaard, Rollo May, Viktor Frankl, Irvan Yalom and others.

The similarities between this field and others is not surprising but all unique fields of psychotherapy and so forth should be explored and evaluated based on the merits and the unique makeup of the therapy. The author of this report would liken the different "flavors" and types of therapy to that of faith-based therapy efforts. To be sure, there are many that actively shun religion and/or are bluntly atheist.

However, there are many others that pray, go to church and/or otherwise have a very spiritual part of their psyche. This human condition and facet can be used in an advantageous way for many but it would be a dead end for many others. The author of this report would hold that existential psychotherapy is probably very similar in this regard. It would probably do wonders for some but would be ineffectual for others.

While doctors and therapists should ultimately choose the best course to achieve mental health balance, the patient's predilections and preferences are certainly not irrelevant. Also, it has to be held true that whatever can be reasonably done to make mental health improvements more long-lasting and more expedient should proceed at a diligent and reasonable pace. Unless it is clear that taking a certain path would do more harm than good, then the therapist should at least try to accommodate (Corsini & Wedding, 2013).

One major facet of existential psychotherapy that hits home and sounds extremely informed is the idea of accepting and overcoming fears. Obviously, avoidance and anxiety are things that really need to be hit head-on and avoiding these confrontations and finding ways to overcome them is only going to delay improvement and better outcomes overall. Also very important is the facet of existential psychotherapy that insists that a patient be introspective and look at himself/herself rather than avoid uncomfortable topics.

The totality of the problem and what is feeding it has to be figured out so it can be conquered. It is easy and expedient for some to blame others and lash out but that does not address the problem. Even if a third party is aggravating someone's mental issues, the patient cannot control what that person says or does. Instead, the patient can only react properly or just simply avoid the person. This makes a lot of sense but many fail to take it to heart.

For example, someone trying to shake addiction to alcohol and illicit drugs should really avoid bars or other situations where the use of these items is present and prevalent. This is true because being around to and exposed to these things almost guarantees a relapse. This is the sort of thing that existential psychotherapy can help fetter out and define.

A patient needs to address all of the perspectives, factors and causes of their mental issues regardless of whether it is an internal problem or one that emanates from a different person or a certain place (Corsini & Wedding, 2013). Another very attractive part of existential psychotherapy, at least for times where it would be practical, is the fact that the future (rather than the past) is the primary focus of the therapy. There are situations where disregarding the past would be less than wise.

However, there are situations where setting aside the pain of the past is the main issue and "dealing" with it will only prolong the.