Existential and Philosophical Therapies

Summary

This book contains these two titles:

Existential Therapy - Existential therapy is a deeply philosophical approach to psychotherapy, grounded in the belief that life’s greatest challenge is navigating its inherent uncertainties while striving to create meaning. At its core, this approach invites individuals to confront the universal dilemmas of existence: freedom, responsibility, isolation, mortality, and the search for purpose. These existential concerns, though often unsettling, are also the catalysts for personal growth and transformation.

Reality Therapy - Reality Therapy is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes personal responsibility and focuses on the present moment, encouraging individuals to make choices that align with their true desires and values. Developed by Dr. William Glasser in the 1960s, it diverges from traditional therapeutic methods by centering on the idea that behavior is a choice and that people can gain control of their lives through conscious decisions. At the core of Reality Therapy is the concept that all behavior is purposeful and is driven by an individual's attempt to fulfill basic needs. These needs include survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. When people feel that these needs are unmet, they often engage in behaviors that are designed to satisfy them, even if those behaviors are not helpful or productive. Reality Therapy challenges individuals to evaluate whether their current behaviors are effective in meeting these needs and whether they are serving their long-term goals.