LaVelle Figueroa January 26, 2009

Professor Daphne Washington Student # 22537191

Existential Therapy vs. Person-centered Therapy

Existentialism suggests that the meaning of life is acquired through experiences we as

individuals encounter in our daily lives which in turn consist of ostensible paradoxes; because as

our each individual has their own way of thinking. For itself, it provides an incredible solution

to the venom of contemporary scientific reasoning; this does not offer time for religious

convictions. Our convictions, can be correct, but as Paul teaches in 1 Cor. 2:7: “But we speak

the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the

world unto our glory:” (NKJV). This philosophy’s, contradiction is something we can live with

—even put our trust in. If we could perfectly understand God’s ways, would he not be too small

a God? Existentialism prizes the act of faith “on the strength of the absurd,” as Kierkegaard puts

it (Powazek, 2006)

Existentialism has it advantages and its disadvantages according to the Bible. The

benefits of biblical existentialism describe of the Holy Trinity, and his temperament as shown in

Scripture. As Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 12: 3: “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no

man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus

is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (KJV). The Holy trinities’’ temperament is love as John 3:16

teaches: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever

believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (NLT). Theistic existentialism sees

the universe as being created by God, operating according to the laws He set up, yet continually

under God’s direction, an “open system.” Genesis 1:1 teaches: “In the beginning God created

the heavens and the earth” (NLT). God has created the human race to be like him Genesis 1:27:

So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he

created them (NLT), andthough corrupted by sin, yet he is offered eternal life through Jesus
Christ. Paul teaches in Romans 5:15: “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if

through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace,

which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (NLT).

Existential counselor’s main responsibility is to smooth up the progress of

their patients getting to know themselves; and in joint collaboration with them

discover along with making the patient self-aware of their own standards and

beliefs. The counselor major interest is to genuinely identify what is troubling

their patients, so they could be in the way their own opinions’, as well as to aid

the patient so they can clarify in addition to develop their own perception, than

they must help the patient implement in their daily lives.

This philosophies major emphasis is orientated towards the counselor’s

duty to be interested as well as to probe their preconceived notions. A

therapist’s duty is to be self-aware as well as capable discerning their biases, so

they can be available to enter their patient’s humanity with an open mind. The

counselor conveys deliberate simplicity to the therapeutic bond; his principle

aim is to be aware of their patients’ importance more willingly than their own in

addition they identify their patient’s conjunctures as well as fundamental life

matters. Existential counselors has to be insightful and facilitate the patients’

discover their weaknesses, limitations as well as tasks as well as their

strengths, opportunities and their self-determination.

The precursor of person-centered therapy was Carl Rogers. His viewpoint was solely

centered in liberal humanism, thus as a result includes naturalism and places man at the center of

the universe. Furthermore, humanistic psychotherapies postulate that all human beings have

absolute freedom of action. He assumed all human beings have an innate instinct to search for
‘self-actualization’ and as result it did not impose any controls whatsoever; our free will guided

us towards our own happiness as well as collective accord.

This philosophies’ main fault is that it neglect the fact that the human being is at fault for

their mental and emotional illnesses. It sustains that anxiety is triggered by gut instincts, for

instance extreme dislike are suppressed.

During, a therapy session emphasizes on the whole person. Knowledgeis a vital

component of the therapy session which in turn lays emphasis on intuition as well as empathy,

more willingly than a thorough analysis of family history. By promoting self-confidence,

recognizing our own feelings, the individual ultimately will achieve self-acceptance in addition

to self-actualization. The counselors training under this particular philosophy is implementing:

empathy, genuineness and an unconditional positive regard.

A Christian counselor must not use neither of these philosophical viewsduring their therapy

sessions, because they loss complete focus regarding biblical teachings, they tend to have a

humanistic perspective at their core. For instance, person-centered therapy foundations are

completely antichrist, since principles expose the society’s core dilemma is hypocrisy and faked

feelings. Matt 23:28 teaches: “Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are

full of hypocrisy and lawlessnesss” (NKJV). As Christians we know that we should love and forgive

people Mr 12:30-31: “The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with

all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the

first commandment , ” And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as

thyself There is none other commandment greater than these”(NKJV) , Mark 18: 21-22 says:

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I

forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but,

Until seventy times seven” (NKJV), and so when we have feelings of hate Pro. 1:22 says: How

long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and
fools hate knowledge (NKJV) we try to deny them, thus fragmenting ourselves and preventing

confession and forgiveness, 1 Jo 1:9 teaches: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to

forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV).

Even though, every so often existentialism is assessed critically for rationalizing the

patients’ experience, its aim is solely to the degree that thinking, analyzing and self-awareness

are ' rational ' behaviors. The main flaw of person-centered therapy is its core view that is based

on a humanistic standpoint. The ultimate substance given to the self is in argument with the

biblical concept of man, in addition to veneration of the human race. Secondly, Rogers is

delusionally optimistic in denying man’s fallen state. He believes that the fruits of the flesh (self-

actualization) are love and joy, whilst the Christian believes these are the fruits of the spirit.

Cited Works

Christian Medical Fellowship (April 2003) Psychiatry and Christianity - Poles apart? -

Part two Retrieved January 25, 2009 from

http://www.cmf.org.uk/literature/content.asp?context=article&id=378

Mulhauser D. Dr () An Introduction to Existential Counseling Retrieved January 25, 2009 from

http://counsellingresource.com/types/existential/index.html

Powazek, D (September 09, 2006) A Critique of Basic Theistic

Existentialism (assignment) Retrieved January 25, 2009 from

http://originalsoapbox.wordpress.com/2006/09/09/a-critique-of-basic-theistic-

existentialism-assignment/

Hyperlinks

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Cr&c=12&t=NLT