Existential Psychology

1. Existential Psychology Adam Schwartz CPS-503-Psychological Foundations: Personality Dr. O’Brien Rollo May 1909-1994 The School of Athens Raphael Sanzio

2. Anti-Theoretical Less of a specific framework for therapy than a Philosophical orientation of the Therapist. Existentialism is inherently anti-theoretical in it’s contention that scientific theory clashes with the subjective experiences of one’s existence. It’s an appreciation for being in the moment of existence that empowers us to make use of our freedom. Individuals are responsible for making use of this freedom to form the conditions of their existence.

3. Biographical Outline Born in Ada Ohio, April 21 1909 to Earl Tittle May and Matie Boughton May. Early childhood spent in Marine City, MI. Not close to either parent, described mother as, “bitch-kitty on wheels.” and sister suffered from Psychosis. Found solace in St. Clair River where he swam and skated and learned more from it’s tranquility than he did in school.

4. Biographical Outline (cont.) Bachelor’s degree in 1930 from Oberlin College in Ohio. Toured Europe for three years tutoring English and Painting. Experienced a, “nervous breakdown,” which left him bed ridden for two weeks. Attended a seminar by Adler in Vienna whom he greatly admired and returned to the U.S.

5. Biographical Outline (cont.) Enrolled in Union S eminary School and was mentored by Theological Philosopher Paul Tillich. Graduated with Master in Divinity. Left to study Psychoanalysis at the William Alanson Institute while working as a counselor at City College of NY. Opened his own practice in 1946. In 1949 earned Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University.

6. Biographical Outline (cont.) In his early 30’s he lived with Tuberculosis for 3 years unsure if he would live. Observed that those that resigned themselves to a passive narrative died, and that asserted a will to survive tended to do so. This later profoundly impacted his approach to Therapy. Visiting professor at Harvard and Princeton. Adjunct Professor at NYU. Chaired and Presided over a handful of boards, foundations and associations.

7. Biography Outline (Cont.) Died on October 22 nd 1994 in Tiburon California where he had settled with his 3 rd Wife. Writings; The meaning of Anxiety Man’s Search for Himself Existence: A New Dimension in Psychiatry and Psychology Love and Will Awards; APA Distinguished Contribution to the Science and Profession of Clinical Psychology Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award APF Gold Medal Award for Lifetime Contributions to Professional Psychology

8. Origins of Existential Psychology

9. Key Definitions Existentialism- Philosophical movement that contends that subjective experience must be the genesis of thought. Places emphasis on the moment and the freedom to choose within that moment to understand why people exist in the ways that they do. Examines the implications of freedom when weighed against the encumbrance of responsibility. Seeks to understand how and why people think and act under this anxiety.

10. Central Tenets of Existentialism Existence, the process of continual growth and change supersedes Essence, the state of merely being. Human are both objective and subjective, therefore they cannot merely be but must question their own existence. We ultimately are solely responsible for the state of our own existence. Phenomena can only be fully authentic through experience.

11. Key Definitions Phenomenology- The Philosophical study of subjective human experience and consciousness. It examines the actions we take and how those actions effect others, the world, and ourselves as conscious phenomena causing agents. Considers the structures with which we perceive phenomena subjectively, how that perception differs from anyone else’s, and how those structures influence our corresponding actions and reactions within the world.

12. As A Therapeutic Movement In The United States “With the death of mystery comes the death of Hope.”-May Central Themes Rational explanations must not extinguish all mystery from life Inspiration and creativity arise from strife, angst, and pain Unique individual is above the “organizational man” Joy and meaning are found in the aesthetic and the ecstatic

13. Existential Angst; The Ageless Questions What is the meaning of life? Is there a god? Does anything I do even matter? Is this the only existence we’ll ever know? Why is there suffering in the world? What are the keys to happiness and fulfillment? Edvard Munch The Scream

14. Being-In-The-World ( Dasein ) Self in relation to world of n ature and natural Laws (time and space) Self in relation to others (people) Self in relation to self (spirit) Dasein Rodan The Thinker Being in a disconnected state in any of these three areas can result in purposelessness, alienation, and angst.

15. Facing Non-Being Realization of existence within the world carries with it the dread of death or non-being. We retreat from being, Dasein , into anxiety and self-destructive coping mechanisms. Addiction Over-conformity Hostility Despair Compulsion

16. Existential Paradox With objective knowledge and Scientific theory we lose touch with our subjective attachment t o ourselves and natural phenomena. We become increasingly uncertain as to the purpose of existence and to the meaning of life. Objectivity Removes Experience

17. Ontological Anxiety Neurotic Vs. Normal Normal Anxiety comes with acceptance of responsibility and freedom. It is a by-product of progress within one’s existence and a necessary part of being. Neurotic Anxiety is incommensurate to the threat of being and results from a refusal to acknowledge the freedom and responsibility inherent in existence.

18. Ontological Guilt Umwelt Guilt- With increased civilization and industrial progress we become estranged from nature and develop an innate sense of guilt. Mitwelt Guilt- According to Phenomenology we can only know the world through our own experience and accordingly we can only relate to each other in a limited capacity. Eigenwelt Guilt- Results from our own limited self-realization. We can always increasingly approach our potential and thus always have a sense of guilt propelling us to full actualization.

19. Intentionality Begins to reconcile the subjective (person) with the objective (environment). The “meaning” of our actions is brought forth in intentionality. Our acts in the world become purposeful and directed toward a teleology or ends. The same subject can act on the same object with a multiplicity of intentions and this gives a meaning and a responsibility to our choices.

20. To Wish Vs. To Will To will is to organize one’s capacities towards a goal. The wish enables and gives content to the will, but the wish is immature. The lack of will can serve to protect the wish from failure by depriving it of conscious action. Will cannot exist without wish but can become trapped by it.

21. Forms of Freedom Existential Freedom- Freedom to make choices and act upon those choices. Essential Freedom- Freedom to realize one’s self and one’s potential. Destiny- Exercising our will, within our limitations, towards the goals we set before ourselves. Limited Existential Freedom Full Existential Freedom Essential Freedom

22. Communication Through Myth Myths are a cultural way of communicating transcendent and spiritual truths. Western culture is lacking in these modes of communication which in turn leaves people lacking identity. This results in emptiness which people fill in self-destructive ways such as addiction, compulsion, or apathy toward their potential. Oedipus Rex By Sophocles

23. May’s Stages of Development Innocence- Precede the ego and self-conscious, have infantile drives to fulfill needs. Rebellion- Desire independence but have little understanding of it’s inherent responsibilities. Decision- Transition toward independence, decisions are made on how to fulfill rebellious wishes. Ordinary- Normal adult ego, retreats from individual responsibility into conformity and cultural norms . Creative- Authentic self, transcendent and self-actualized, beyond egocentrism . King Sisyphus Greek Myth

24. View of Psychopathology First instances of childhood rebellion are met with harsh criticism. Rebellion should be the first affirmation of freedom but if it is instead a source of anxiety then freedom takes on a negative and fearful connotation. A disconnection from nature, others, and self. ( umwelt , mitwelt , eigenwelt ) Leads to a dimming of the consciousness, an inability to be known to others and a directionless apathy. A refusal to pursue one’s destiny due to a disproportionate fear of death, nothingness, or the responsibility that accompanies freedom.

25. Psychotherapy Symptomology is a by-product of the patients attempt to escape their own freedom. Therapy therefore is intended to engage people in the use of their own freedom. The therapist, through developing a friendship of guidance, must invite the patient to subjectively live through their emotional experiences. The therapist must help them choose to venture forth freely into their potential destiny by reevaluating the situations from their past which caused freedom to become associated with negativity.

26. Appropriate Clientele Patients at odds with the norms of society or the status quo. Patients complaining of emptiness or a lack of identity (BPD or other personality disorders). Patients at a life crossroads (empty-nest, midlife, adolescence, aging w/physical limitations) . Patients in situational crises (death of spouse, chronically ill, suicidal). Patients experiencing the end of a marriage or career.

27. Hypothetical Case Study An elderly man presents with extreme depression following the death of his wife. He can find little meaning in a continued life without his wife and no longer feels a sense of recognizable identity as a widower. He has expressed suicidal ideation and an inability to enjoy hobbies he once found pleasure in. He complains of a feeling of innate unfairness at the thought of having to continue without his wife. Adapted from Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning

28. Case Study Through a one-to-one relationship with the therapist acting as a guiding friend, a therapeutic bond is established. The Existential therapist asks the client to imagine the situation as reversed, with his death having occurred before his wife’s. Through this thought experiment the client realizes the immense suffering that his wife would have experienced in this situation. From this he is able to reframe his surviving his wife’s death as a means by which he saved her from the suffering that he is now experiencing.. Andrew Baines Existential Choice

29. Case Study (cont.) With this change of perspective he is able to find meaning even in his pain and loss. Now that he is able to find a concrete purpose and consolation for his current situation he recognizes his responsibility to reengage life. Despite his loss, by focusing on what his wife would have wanted for him, he rediscovers his essential freedom and the ability to transform his pain into a meaningful new existence.

30. Existential Intelligence Where Do you Score? It is important to see my role in the “big picture” of things I enjoy discussing questions about life Religion is important to me I enjoy viewing art work Relaxation and meditation exercises are rewarding to me I like traveling to visit inspiring places I enjoy reading philosophers Learning new things is easier when I see their real world application I wonder if there are other forms of intelligent life in the universe It is important for me to feel connected to people, ideas and beliefs ____ Total/ This is your Existential Intelligence on a scale of 1-10 Make a tally for each statement you agree with. From Howard Gardner’s “Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons” Basic Books. 2006.

31. Sources Cited Feist & Feist . (2006). Theories of Personality. McGraw-Hill. Pgs. 338-368 Corey. (2009). Theory and Practice of Counseling & Psychotherapy. Brooks/Cole. Pgs. 132-163 Frankl . (2006). Man’s Search For Meaning. Beacon Press.