Existential therapy: A useful approach to trauma?

Abstract

BackgroundLiterature has suggested that the cyclical nature of psychological trauma can lead to enduring long-term effects on individuals and those around them.Content and FocusThis review examines the effects of psychological trauma and its relationship with existential therapy, not to endorse a particular approach in isolation, but to explore a variety of understandings of psychological trauma pertinent to counselling psychology. Despite being relatively unexplored with regards to psychological trauma, favourable empirical evidence is beginning to amass for existential therapy. A review of the contributions (and limitations) of existing approaches to trauma therapy is initially considered before the focus turns to the contribution that existential therapy might make. van Deurzen’s existential dimensions (1997) and Jacobsen’s existential conceptualisations of crisis are considered in some depth, along with the limitations and empirical challenges of existential therapy.ConclusionsSpeculative practical and therapeutic implications are identified and relevant future research is suggested.