What Is Existentialism?

Introduction: What Is Existentialism?

Existentialism is a philosophical and therapeutic approach that focuses on what it means to be human. It explores themes such as freedom, responsibility, meaning, anxiety, choice, and authenticity. In psychotherapy, existentialism helps people understand themselves more

deeply, face the “big questions” of life, and live in a way that feels true to who they are.

Definitions of existentialism by a famous humanistic psychotherapist -

Carl Rogers

“The degree to which I can create a relationship that facilitates the other person’s growth… is the degree to which they will change and grow constructively.”

Mick Cooper & Dave Mearns

“A profound meeting at a level of human depth that is highly engaging and meaningful for both people.”

What’s the History of Existentialism?

Existentialist ideas developed across the 19th and 20th centuries. Although people like Socrates and the Stoics discussed meaning and choice long before, existentialism became clearly defined through a series of philosophers.

Early Influences (1800s)

• Søren Kierkegaard – Explored anxiety, despair, faith, and authentic living.

• Friedrich Nietzsche – Emphasised freedom, creativity, values, and “becoming who you are.”

20th-Century Existentialism

• Martin Heidegger – Analysed existence, being-in-the-world, and authenticity.

• Jean-Paul Sartre – Famous for “existence precedes essence”; we create ourselves through choices.

• Simone de Beauvoir – Freedom, oppression, gender, and ethics.

• Albert Camus – Explored the meaninglessness (“absurdity”) of life and revolt against it.

Existentialism Enters Therapy (1940s–1960s)

Psychotherapists began applying existential ideas to psychological suffering:

• Viktor Frankl – Developed Logotherapy (meaning-focused therapy).

• Rollo May – Brought existential psychotherapy into the U.S.

• Irvin Yalom – Wrote accessible texts on existential therapy and the “four ultimate concerns.”

Founders of Existential Psychotherapy

Viktor Frankl

• Survivor of concentration camps

• Wrote Man’s Search for Meaning

• Proposed that the primary human drive is meaning.

Rollo May

• Integrated existential ideas with psychotherapy

• Focused on anxiety, freedom, and courage.

Irvin Yalom

Identified the four existential concerns:

• Death

• Freedom

• Isolation

• Meaninglessness
  

Mick Cooper (Modern Key Figure)

Mick Cooper is one of the most influential contemporary existential therapists. He is known for:

• Integrating existential ideas with person-centred therapy

• Making existential therapy accessible and evidence-based

• Developing pluralistic counselling, which focuses on collaboration and tailoring therapy to each client

His approach highlights:

• Relational depth

• The client’s sense of meaning, purpose, and direction

• Authenticity and choice

• The importance of co-creating therapy goals

Cooper views existential therapy not as giving answers, but as helping clients understand their choices, values, and ways of being so they can live more meaningfully.

Existentialism in Psychotherapy

Existential psychotherapy looks at psychological distress as a response to life’s deepest challenges, not just symptoms. Typical themes explored:

• Freedom and responsibility (“What choices am I making?”)

• Meaning and purpose (“What makes my life meaningful?”)

• Isolation and connection (“How do I relate to others?”)

• Authenticity (“Am I living true to myself?”)

• Anxiety and uncertainty (“How do I live knowing life is unpredictable?”)

Therapy involves:

• Deep exploration

• Honest dialogue

• Reflection on values

• Increasing awareness and choice

• Helping clients live more purposefully

Existential therapy does not force conclusions. It encourages clients to explore their own truths.

What’s the purpose of Mick Cooper’s

relational depth?

Relational depth refers to those moments in therapy when the connection between therapist and client becomes profoundly genuine, responsive, and emotionally engaged. Mick Cooper and Dave Mearns describe it as a meeting where both people feel fully present, trusting, and real, creating a powerful sense of “I am understood” and “I understand you.” These moments are not constant but occur when the therapeutic relationship reaches a level of honesty and atonement that allows clients to feel deeply seen and emotionally safe.

Relational depth is important because it strengthens the therapeutic alliance, increases client openness, and supports meaningful change by offering a healing experience of connection. Research shows that when clients feel deeply met by their therapist, they are more likely to explore difficult material, process emotions, and develop greater self-acceptance. In practice, relational depth is cultivated through empathy, congruence, emotional availability, and the therapist’s willingness to engage authentically rather than hide behind technique.

Useful Books on Existentialism & Existential Therapy

Classic Texts

• Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl

• Being and Time – Martin Heidegger

• Existentialism Is a Humanism – Jean-Paul Sartre

• The Myth of Sisyphus – Albert Camus

Psychotherapy-Focused Texts

• Existential Psychotherapy – Irvin Yalom

• The Meaning of Anxiety – Rollo May

• Logotherapy and Existential Analysis – Frankl

Mick Cooper’s Books

• Existential Therapies

• Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (with Dave Mearns)

• The Handbook of Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy