Existential/Humanistic Therapy Specialisation

This unit offers a foundational understanding in existential philosophy, how it can be applied to a variety of client groups and clinical situations, and the therapeutic methods which can be used. Students should gain clinical competence in the integration of their therapeutic practice and philosophical understanding.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of existential philosophy as it applies to working with clients in a therapeutic context
• Demonstrate an ability to apply the phenomenological method to therapeutic practice
• Articulate and critically evaluate contemporary existential methods of clinical practice
• Identify and articulate the differences in practice and theory between contemporary views of psychopathology and the existential concept of difficulties in living
• Integrate and articulate the personal relevance of existential ideas within your therapeutic practice

Content Areas

• Working Philosophically
• Phenomenology
• The Existential Givens
• Authenticity and the Aims of Existential Therapy
• Existence as Being-in-the-World-with-Others
• Clarifying Worldviews
• Working with the Self and Sedimentations
• Dimensions of Existence
• Time and Temporality
• Emotions and Dreams
• The Therapeutic Relationship
• Owning the Existential Approach

Unit Duration and Workload

This unit involves a total of 36 hours of face to face delivery or self-directed study including educator contact in flexible delivery modes, generating a further 120 hours of self-study per unit including research and related study activities, including assessment. This translates as 13 hours per week for the unit.