Existentialism and family therapy: a neglected perspective

Abstract

This article describes an approach to therapeutic work with families based more on a value-system about persons in relationship than on an objectively validated scientific view and makes a claim for the contribution of existential philosophy to such endeavour.

Developing the Individual: Life Skills and Family Therapy

“…Existential models. Existential philosophy recognises the pain and joy of existence, the sadness and the hope in life, the binds of close relationships and the struggle to love freely, the choices which face individuals throughout their life cycle, the change which is inherent in all development, the search for authenticity, and truth to oneself (Haldane and McCluskey, 1982). This approach can hardly fail to appeal to those who work with families.…”

“…According to existential theory, the kind of famihes who fmd themselves in family therapy are trapped in repetitive patterns of behaviour and relationships which maintain the m t u s quo and inhibit development, maturation and individuation (Haldane and McCluskey , 1982). They are trapped within themselves and prevented from relating to others in intimate and potentially creative ways.…”

“…Therapy is seen as part of the process of becoming and of realisation of potential (Haldane and McCluskey, 1982).…”

Psychological services for children: using family therapy in the setting of a school psychological service

“…(a) that disturbed behaviour in children usually reflects weakness in the parental personalities, as described by Ackerman (1958Ackerman ( , 1966, (b) that a child's observable problems may be connected to past events in the family of origin as described by Bentovim (1978Bentovim ( , 1979. Also, that a combination of vertical and horizontal stress in the family's shared life may be an important factor in producing behavioural disturbance in the child (Carter and McGoldrick, 1980).…”

My mind is alive and well and fouling up the system: existential‐phenomenological considerations in family therapy

“…Separation and divorce can also be painful boundary confrontations with mortality: ceasing to be special to another person can be a form of death, since major defenses against death anxiety include the belief in ones own specialness and the belief that existing in the thoughts of another can be a form of immortality (P.38). Haldane and McClusky (1982) both provide an overview of the major concerns in existential thought and how this bears on the r61e of the therapist. Based on the premise that existential therapy is 'concerned mainly with persons' being and existence' (p. 1 IS), the authors empathically evoke the experiential world of 'stuck families who are trapped in repetitive patterns of behaviour: 'To live like this is to inhabit a world of isolation, alientation, despair, of a struggle to be free ' (p.123) An implication of this awareness of existential struggle is that therapists should enter into the experiential world of their clients, be in tune to their needs rather than focussing solely on their patterns of behaviour and interaction.…”