Eskişehir Psychologist Ethem Tozbay Existential Therapy

Existential therapy is a psychotherapy approach that focuses on a person's questions about the meaning of life, free choices, responsibilities, and their own existence. Existential therapy helps people cope more consciously with anxiety, loneliness, feelings of meaninglessness, and life crises. This approach is an in-depth psychological counseling method that supports a person in knowing themselves and giving a more realistic direction to their life. The fundamental answer to the question "What is existential therapy and what does it do?" is; to support the individual in discovering their own values, taking responsibility for their choices, and building a more meaningful life.

In our approaches focused on existential therapy Eskisehir, existential therapy is a humanistic psychotherapy approach working on fundamental existential questions in an individual's life. The aim of this therapy method is not only to reduce symptoms but to ensure the person establishes a stronger bond with themselves and their life. The therapist guides the client to notice their own decisions and discover their personal values.

In the existential therapy approach, human beings are considered as entities capable of making free choices, taking responsibility, and adding meaning to their lives. In the sessions, the person is supported to reflect on questions such as "Who am I?", "What is the meaning of my life?", or "What kind of life do I want?".

Existential therapy does not offer ready-made answers; it helps the person find their own answers. Therefore, the therapy process is built on personal awareness, internal questioning, and realistic life goals.

Existential therapy, applied accompanied by an Eskisehir existential psychologist, can help an individual work with loss of meaning in life, difficulty in decision making, and intense internal conflicts. It is used as an effective support method, especially in periods of life transitions, relational problems, and personal crisis periods (with expert evaluations such as an existential crisis test). Clinical studies show how critical the relationship between the search for meaning and psychological well-being is.

Research indicates that depressive symptoms may be related not only to biological factors but also to a person's perception of life and expectations for the future. At this point, existential therapy can be one of the fundamental supportive approaches used during the depression therapy process. For information on the importance of psychotherapy support in individuals experiencing depression, the psychological health research of the American Psychological Association can be examined: American Psychological Association psychology research and mental health resources.

Eskisehir existential counseling can provide strong awareness in the following issues:

• Life purpose and search for meaning (including logotherapy approaches)
• Coping with anxiety, uncertainty, and anxiety management
• Developing self-confidence and the process of existential acceptance
• Setting personal boundaries in relationships and awareness of responsibility

This approach can also help the person fundamentally notice their thought patterns in situations such as overthinking, indecision, and future anxiety. Through face-to-face or online psychological support, in people experiencing anxiety and intense worry, the therapy process can contribute to a more meaningful management of life.

The existential therapy approach is based on four basic life themes: freedom, responsibility, the search for meaning, and existential awareness. These concepts help a person evaluate the choices in their own life more consciously. In therapy, the difficulties experienced by the individual are not only considered as problems but also as opportunities for development.

Existential therapy supports a person in understanding the importance of choices in their life. Even if a person cannot change every circumstance, they can have an impact on their reactions to events. This perspective allows the person to focus on areas they can control.

For example, a person who wants to make a career change can evaluate their own values and goals instead of focusing solely on their fears. Thus, the decision-making process becomes more conscious.

The search for meaning is at the center of the existential therapy process. A person's discovery of areas they value in their life despite the difficulties they experience can increase psychological resilience. The World Health Organization emphasizes that mental health is connected to overall well-being: World Health Organization mental health information.

Existential therapy supports the person in re-evaluating their own life story and looking to the future with more meaningful goals. Therefore, it can be preferred not only in times of crisis but also for personal development purposes.

Existential therapy does not consider anxiety as an emotion that must be completely eliminated, but as an experience showing important messages in the person's life. When people encounter uncertainties, they may experience anxiety, and this is considered natural. The important thing is not to let anxiety manage the person's life.

In clinical evaluations, it is seen that anxiety disorders are quite common in society. National Institute of Mental Health data states that anxiety disorders are one of the common psychological problems in different age groups: National Institute of Mental Health anxiety disorders research.

Existential therapy can provide benefits in the following areas for individuals experiencing anxiety:

• Coping more healthily with uncertainty
• Rediscovering personal values
• Making sense of fear of the future and death anxiety therapy Eskisehir work
• Making more conscious decisions

Existential therapy can be evaluated together with other psychotherapy methods in individuals experiencing panic attacks, social phobia, or intense stress. In particular, the person discovering the underlying meaning of their emotions can provide long-term awareness.

The existential therapy process is shaped according to the client's needs and usually involves discussing the person's life experiences in detail. The therapist creates a safe space for the client to express themselves. In the sessions, past experiences, current relationships, and future goals can be focused on.

During the therapy process, the person can apply some awareness exercises in their daily life. Writing down feelings, identifying personal values, and evaluating the outcomes of decisions can be among these exercises.

In summary: Existential therapy is a process of discovery that helps a person establish a more real and meaningful relationship with themselves.

Existential therapy can be suitable for people seeking direction in their lives, wanting to know themselves better, or experiencing significant life changes. This therapy approach is not limited to a specific age group. It can be adapted to different needs, from young adults to individuals in their advanced age periods.

A person can benefit from existential therapy support in the following situations:

• When feeling a loss of meaning in life
• When struggling before major decisions
• When wanting to know and develop themselves
• When experiencing repeating problems in relationships

In addition, the existential approach can be used in the adult individual psychotherapy process. It can also support a person in making sense of their life experiences in issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, or emotional burnout.

Existential therapy, unlike other psychotherapy methods, focuses not only on a person's symptoms but on their relationship with life. While cognitive behavioral therapy mostly works on thought and behavior patterns, existential therapy addresses a person's fundamental life questions. Both approaches can be effective depending on different needs.

Research in the field of clinical psychology shows the importance of selecting an approach suited to a person's needs in psychotherapy. When choosing therapy, the problems experienced by the person, their goals, and their expectations should be considered.

For individuals experiencing meaning, attachment, and communication problems in couple relationships, couples and family therapy support can also be evaluated. Similarly, in problems related to sexual life, the sex therapy approach can offer solutions addressing different needs.

The duration of existential therapy varies depending on the person's needs, goals, and the problems they are experiencing. While some people progress with short-term awareness work, others may need a longer therapy process.

Existential therapy can help people experiencing depression work on life meaning, hope, and personal values. However, depending on the severity of the depression, different therapy methods or psychiatric support may also be required.

Online psychotherapy can be applied with an existential therapy approach when appropriate conditions are provided. A person being able to express themselves in a safe environment is one of the important parts of the process.

Existential therapy helps to understand the causes of anxiety and for a person to establish a healthier relationship with uncertainties. The goal is not only to suppress anxiety but to ensure the person can cope more strongly with this emotion.