Existential therapy is less structured than some other approaches. There are no worksheets, no formulas—just an open and honest conversation between therapist and client. The therapist’s role is not to direct or diagnose, but to sit with the client in uncertainty, curiosity, and honesty.
Sessions might explore questions like:
“What does it mean for you to live authentically?”
“In what ways are you avoiding responsibility for your choices?”
“How do you cope with the uncertainty of life?”
“Where do you find connection, and where do you feel alone?”
Who Might Benefit?
Existential therapy can be especially helpful for individuals facing major life transitions, grief and loss, identity crises, or a general sense of existential anxiety. It’s also a powerful approach for those who value philosophical exploration and want a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
Final Thoughts
Existential therapy doesn’t promise to remove life’s pain or confusion. Instead, it offers a space to wrestle with life’s biggest questions—with honesty, courage, and compassion. In doing so, it often leads to a richer, more intentional way of living.
If you find yourself yearning for deeper understanding, feeling disoriented by change, or struggling to define your purpose, existential therapy might be a meaningful path forward. Sometimes, the first step is simply to sit together and ask, “What does it mean to be me, here, now?”
Interested in learning more or starting your own existential journey? Reach out to a licensed mental health professional. You don’t have to search for meaning alone.
Liza Linder, MSW, LCSW, is a therapist with 30 years of experience serving the LGBTQ+ and PLWHIV communities. Liza is in person only, in our Philadelphia offices. For more information about Liza, please click on the therapist’s bios.