Case Study Application: Existential And Gestalt Theory

Case Study Application: Existential and Gestalt Theory If you were going

Apply a theory (either existential or Gestalt) to a chosen psychotherapy case from the provided options. Explain why your selected theory would better address the client or family system issues and facilitate change through specific interventions.

Paper For Above instruction

In this paper, I will explore the application of existential therapy to the case of Enji, a 46-year-old Japanese man exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and relationship difficulties. I will justify why existential therapy offers a more suitable framework for understanding and treating Enji’s issues compared to Gestalt therapy, and I will outline specific interventions rooted in existential concepts to promote meaningful change.

Existential therapy emphasizes the individual's search for meaning, authenticity, and personal responsibility in the face of life's inherent uncertainties (Yalom, 1980). For Enji, who struggles with feelings of isolation, fear of judgment, and unresolved trauma from past bullying, this approach can foster a confrontation with his authentic self and facilitate acceptance of his experiences. It helps clients confront existential givens like death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness, which are central to Enji’s depressive and anxious states (Bugental, 1981).

The core of existential therapy lies in assisting clients to understand their freedom and responsibility in shaping their lives. Enji’s reluctance to seek counseling due to cultural beliefs, as well as his feelings of weakness and abandonment, reflect an internal conflict about his identity and life choices (Spinelli, 2007). An existential perspective would recognize these struggles as part of his human condition and focus on empowering him to find personal meaning despite societal and cultural pressures.

Compared with Gestalt therapy, which emphasizes awareness, here-and-now experience, and the integration of conflicting parts of the self (Perls, 1969), existential therapy offers a more profound exploration of the client's existential dilemmas. While Gestalt can help Enji become aware of his feelings and responses, existential therapy addresses the deeper questions of purpose and authenticity that underpin his suffering. Moreover, the focus on meaning-making aligns well with Enji’s cultural background and personal history, facilitating tailored interventions that respect his values while encouraging growth.

Specific existential interventions for Enji would include techniques like Socratic dialogue to challenge maladaptive beliefs about self-worth and social judgment, and fostering awareness of his existence as a free and responsible agent. For example, using activities that help him articulate what gives his life purpose, such as reconnecting with his passion for karate or exploring cultural values about stoicism and resilience, can enhance his sense of identity and agency.

Another intervention could involve facilitating a confrontation with his fears of abandonment and past trauma, including revisiting memories of bullying and family dynamics. This process can help Enji accept his vulnerabilities and develop a more authentic and compassionate view of himself, integrating his cultural identity with his personal experiences (Yalom, 1980).

In conclusion, choosing existential therapy for Enji provides a comprehensive framework that addresses his internal conflicts, cultural influences, and search for meaning. It offers targeted interventions that foster personal responsibility, authenticity, and resilience, which are essential for overcoming his depressive symptoms and social withdrawal.

References

• Bugental, J. F. T. (1981). The search for authentic existence. Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
• Perls, F. (1969). Gestalt therapy verbatim. Moab, UT: Real People Press.
• Spinelli, E. (2007). Practising existential psychotherapy: The relational world. Open University Press.
• Yalom, I. D. (1980). Existential psychotherapy. Basic Books.
• Corrigan, P. (2012). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy. Sage Publications.
• Frankl, V. E. (1959). Man's search for meaning. Beacon Press.
• May, R. (1983). The discovery of being: The conscience of a therapist. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Yalom, I. D. (2002). The gift of therapy: An open letter to a new generation of therapists. HarperCollins.
• Heidegger, M. (1962). Being and time. Harper & Row.
• Van Deurzen, E. (2014). Existential counselling & psychotherapy. Sage Publications.