This article demonstrates the use of existential themes in couples counseling. Existential theory in understanding the etiology and maintenance of problem behavior in couples is discussed, with particular focus on using existential themes as a motivation for behavior change. A case example is used to illustrate the importance of helping couples to understand both the subjectivity of experience and responsibility as an ultimate concern in the process of change.
BirdM. H.ButlerM. H.FifeS. T. (2007). The process of couple healing following infidelity: A qualitative study. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 6, 1–25. doi:10.1300/J398v06n04 01
2.
BlackM. I. (2012). You’re not doing it right: Tales of marriage, sex, death, and other humiliations. New York, NY: Gallery Books.
3.
BradleyR. P. C.FriendD. J.GottmanJ. H. (2011). Supporting healthy relationships in low-income, violent couples: Reducing conflict and strengthening relationship skills and satisfaction. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 10, 97–116. doi:10.1080/15332691.2011.562808
4.
EdwardsD. G. (1982). Existential psychotherapy. New York, NY: Gardner Press, Inc.
5.
FranklV. E. (1959). Man’s search for meaning: An introduction to logotherapy. New York, NY: Simon and Shuster.
6.
HintonW. J.SheperisC.SimsP. (2003). Family-based approaches to juvenile delinquency: A review of the literature. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 11, 167–173. doi:10.1177/1066480702250156
7.
LängleA. (2003). The art of involving the person: Fundamental existential motivations as the structure of the motivational process. European Psychotherapy, 4, 25–36.
8.
LyddonnW. J. (1990). First- and second-order change: Implications for rationalist and constructivist cognitive therapies. Journal of Counseling and Development, 69, 122–127. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.1990.tb01472.x
9.
MayR. (1953). Man’s search for himself: How we can find a center of strength within ourselves to face and conquer the insecurities of this troubled age. New York, NY: W.W. Norton and Company.
10.
O’BrienT. B.DeLongisA.PomakiG.PutermanE.ZwickerA. (2009). Couples coping with stress: The role of empathic responding. European Psychologist, 14, 18–28. doi:10.1027/1016-9040.14.1.18
11.
SextonT. L.AlexanderJ. F. (2005). Functional family therapy for externalizing disorders in adolescents. In LebowJ. L. (Ed.), Handbook of clinical family therapy (pp. 164–191). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.
12.
SperryL. (2012). Motivational interviewing, nonadherence to medical treatment, and families. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 20, 306–308. doi:10.1177/1066480712449798
13.
StanleyS. M.AllenE. S.MarkmanH. J.RhoadesG. K.PrenticeD. L. (2010). Decreasing divorce in U.S. army couples: Results forma randomized controlled trial using PREP for strong bonds. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 9, 149–160. doi:10.1080/15332691003694901
14.
ThompsonE. (2005). Sensorimotor subjectivity and the enactive approach to experience. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, 4, 407–427. doi:0.1007/s11097-005-9003-x
15.
YalomI. D. (1980). Existential psychotherapy. New York, NY: Basic Books.
16.
YalomI. D. (2000). Momma and the meaning of life: Tales of psychotherapy. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
17.
YalomI. D. (2009). The gift of therapy: An open letter to a new generation of therapists and their patients. New York, NY: Harper Collins.