What is Existential Therapy?

Existential therapy is a philosophical and deeply personal approach to psychotherapy that explores the fundamental questions of human existence. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or diagnoses, it invites you to look closely at your lived experience — your values, your choices, your relationships, and the meaning you assign to life itself.

It asks big questions, such as:

• Who am I, really?
• What does it mean to live an authentic life?
• How do I relate to freedom, death, isolation, or purpose?

Existential therapy doesn’t provide quick answers. Instead, it creates space for thoughtful reflection and honest conversation, allowing you to develop clarity, resilience, and a greater sense of agency in your life.

How Existential Therapy Works

At its core, existential therapy sees emotional distress as a natural part of being human — not a sign that something is “broken,” but a signal that something meaningful wants attention.

In therapy, you’ll explore themes like:

• Choice and responsibility: How do you make decisions? Do you feel free or constrained?
• Meaning and purpose: What drives you? What feels hollow or unfulfilled?
• Mortality and loss: How does awareness of death shape the way you live?
• Authenticity: Are you living in line with your true self — or someone else’s expectations?

Your therapist won’t offer prescriptive advice. Instead, they’ll help you examine your beliefs, patterns, and relationships, offering insight and support as you navigate life’s uncertainties.

What Existential Therapy Can Help With

This approach can be deeply supportive if you’re experiencing:

• A major life transition or identity crisis
• Persistent feelings of emptiness or disconnection
• Grief and existential anxiety
• Low mood or lack of motivation
• Loss of direction or meaning in life
• Relationship struggles linked to values or freedom

It is especially helpful for those who want to engage in deep self-reflection and live more consciously.

What to Expect in a Session

Existential therapy is primarily conversational, but it’s not casual. It’s a thoughtful, present, and often profound dialogue between two human beings.

Your therapist may ask questions that feel philosophical or challenging — not to unsettle you, but to help uncover deeper truths. You’ll be invited to examine how you face uncertainty, how you relate to your freedom, and how you deal with the reality of change.

Over time, you may come to feel more grounded, more aware of your inner compass, and more empowered to shape a life that aligns with your deeper values.

Existential Therapy at LifeChange, Dublin 2

At LifeChange, several of our therapists are trained in existential and humanistic approaches. Whether you’re feeling lost, stuck, or simply seeking a space for deeper self-exploration, we offer a respectful, open, and supportive environment.

Sessions are available in Dublin 2 or online.

Is Existential Therapy Right for Me?

If you find yourself grappling with the “big questions” — or if life feels directionless, hollow, or overwhelming — existential therapy can offer you the space and tools to reconnect with meaning and choice.