Case
Existential Therapy. Case of Olivia.
- Course
- COUN6722 (COUN6722)
- Institution
- Walden University
Existential Therapy. Case conceptualization with 2 interventions
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Case ConceptualizationTheory: Existential Therapy. Case of Olivia.
Presenting Problem: Olivia is a 15-year-old student facing multiple challenges that have
significantly impacted her academic performance and overall well-being. Since her mother left
the family, Olivia has taken on substantial household responsibilities, including caring for her
younger siblings, cooking, and cleaning, due to her father's demanding work schedule. This
heavy burden has led to exhaustion, absenteeism, and declining grades at school. Olivia struggles
with feelings of sadness, isolation, and worry about her siblings' future, compounded by her
father's traditional expectations for her role. She dreams of becoming a veterinarian but feels her
situation makes this impossible. The absence of her mother and the lack of a supportive social
network contributes to her sense of hopelessness and disconnection.
Hypothesis:
- Olivia faces overwhelming responsibility for her household and siblings, which limits her
sense of freedom. Existential theory posits that freedom comes with the burden of
responsibility, (Frank, M.2007) and Olivia’s disproportionate share of responsibilities at a
young age creates a feeling of being trapped in her circumstances. This prevents her from
exploring her desires and potential, such as her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Yang
states, “To be aware of responsibility is to be aware of creating oneself, destiny, life
predicament, feelings, and if such be the case, one’s suffering” (Yang. 2009)
- Olivia’s life, despite being in the presence of her family, is characterized by a profound sense
of loneliness. This isolation, a product of her heavy responsibilities and a lack of social
support from peers or her mother, openly gaps the existential emphasis on Olivia’s authentic
relationships and connections. The absence of these connections in Olivia’s life intensifies
her sense of isolation. The Handbook of experimental existential psychology underscores
this, stating, “Existential isolation is the inevitable consequence of the very personal,
subjective and individual nature of human that can never be fully shared with another being”
(Greenberg, J., et al. 2004)
- Olivia’s life is currently dominated by household duties and the pressure to conform to her
father’s traditional expectations. This situation, as per existential theory, can lead to a sense
of meaninglessness. (Frank, M.2007) Her dream of becoming a veterinarian, which feels
distant and impossible, further complicates her search for purpose in her daily life. The
theory’s emphasis on individuals creating their own meaning and purpose is bluntly
illustrated in Olivia’s situation. The medical article What to Know about Existential Theory
and Therapy states, “One of the foundational ideas of existentialism is that there is no
inherent meaning to life, so it is each person’s responsibility to create meaning and a sense of
purpose for themselves.” (Webster. H et al. 2023)
- Olivia likely experiences anxiety due to her uncertain future and the conflict between her
desires and her current reality. This anxiety stems from the awareness of her limited freedom,
the weight of her responsibilities, and the fear of being unable to achieve her dreams.
Webster and Kuehnle believed that “A person may develop existential anxiety because of
former acts or decisions, which trigger existential guilt or regret due to lost chances. People
may also experience a sense feeling of insecurity, dread, isolation, and loneliness.” (Webster.
H et al. 2023)
Goal: The goals of Existential therapy applied to Olivia’s case are to address her existential
concerns by fostering a sense of freedom, authentic relationships, and meaning and reducing
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