Theoretical Foundations of Existential-Humanistic Therapy

When clients’ struggles extend beyond symptoms and diagnoses, how can clinicians understand the deeper human experiences shaping their distress? Existential-humanistic therapy offers a perspective that recognizes suffering while exploring the roles of meaning, freedom, responsibility, and connection in psychological well-being.

Grounded in philosophy and psychotherapy, this approach invites clinicians to look beyond pathology without overlooking clinical concerns. This 4-hour live webinar introduces the theoretical foundations of existential-humanistic therapy and demonstrates how these principles can inform case conceptualization, therapeutic relationships, and clinical decision-making. No prior training in existential-humanistic therapy is required.

Led by Louis Hoffman, PhD, a licensed psychologist and recognized authority in existential-humanistic psychotherapy, this training draws on extensive clinical, research, and teaching experience. Dr. Hoffman is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and nine of its divisions, a recipient of the Rollo May Award, and an author or editor of 28 books, including Case Formulation in Existential-Humanistic Therapy and The Evidence-Based Foundations of Existential-Humanistic Therapy. His work connects philosophical inquiry with the realities of clinical practice.

Dr. Hoffman approaches existential-humanistic theory through its direct relevance to understanding clients and facilitating therapeutic change. Participants will examine how philosophical concepts shape a clinician's perspective, influence the therapeutic relationship, and guide responses to clients' concerns. Particular attention is given to phenomenological understanding and the role of authentic encounter in therapy.

The workshop explores the primary existential givens, including mortality, freedom and responsibility, isolation and connection, and meaning. Participants will distinguish phenomenological approaches from interpretative approaches to understanding clients and examine the clinical value of non-pathologizing case conceptualization. Additional topics include the daimonic, myth, existential shattering, relational depth, and the therapeutic encounter. Throughout the training, these concepts are considered within clients' cultural, relational, and social contexts, highlighting how existential-humanistic theory informs therapeutic stances, interventions, and understandings of change.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the existential dimensions of distress: Recognize how fundamental human concerns such as mortality, freedom, isolation, and meaning can shape clients' experiences and influence therapeutic work.
• Develop a more nuanced approach to case conceptualization: Differentiate phenomenological understanding from interpretation and explore non-pathologizing perspectives that acknowledge clients' suffering alongside their capacities and possibilities.
• Recognize the therapeutic power of encounter: Understand how genuine presence, relational depth, and the therapeutic relationship contribute to change within an existential-humanistic framework.

Why this course?

• Expand your clinical perspective: Develop a theoretical foundation for understanding clients beyond diagnostic categories while remaining attentive to symptoms, suffering, and clinical needs.
• Learn from a leading existential-humanistic scholar and clinician: Benefit from Dr. Hoffman's decades of experience integrating existential-humanistic philosophy, psychotherapy, research, and clinical supervision.
• Connect philosophical theory with clinical practice: Explore the principles behind existential-humanistic therapeutic approaches so you can better understand when and why these perspectives may be useful in your work with clients.

 Learning Objectives:

• Identify the primary existential givens.
• Distinguish between phenomenological and interpretative approaches to understanding and conceptualizing clients.
• Identify the clinical value of using non-pathologizing approaches to problem identification.

  Discuss and clarify the role of encounter in the therapy process.

Existential-humanistic therapy offers more than an alternative way to conceptualize psychological distress. It provides a foundation for understanding the human experiences beneath clients' concerns and approaching therapeutic work with greater intentionality. Through this training, clinicians can deepen their understanding of therapeutic change and develop a more coherent perspective on supporting clients as they navigate suffering, meaning, choice, and connection.