Existential-Phenomenological Psychology
Learn about Seattle University’s Master of Arts in Psychology Existential-Phenomenological Psychology approach.
Existential phenomenology is a deeply humanistic set of approaches to psychology. It embraces a rich and diverse body of thought, one which challenges the modern tendency to interpret the human condition through a set of narrow technical lenses. As a humanistic endeavor, it seeks to ground the practice of therapy in an in-depth, embodied and historical understanding of human existence. It rejects approaches in psychology and psychiatry that view human beings in scientistic and reductionistic ways. With a strongly qualitative focus, the Master of Arts in Psychology program allows aspiring therapists to draw upon the full wealth of reflection on the human condition accumulated in the social sciences and humanities. It brings these ideas from these traditions into critical dialogue with the best of modern clinical diagnostic and therapeutic practices. Existential phenomenology focuses upon the meanings that we make in our lives, the values we invest in and uphold and the choices that are reflected in understandings and actions.
In its humanistic focus, the Master of Arts in Psychology program insists upon the need to explore the lives of clients in their own terms, to understand them not simply as patients suffering from a clinical diagnosis or disorder, but in their full uniqueness, dignity and humanity. We recognize that psychological illness and health arise in the contexts of family and community, systems of power, culture and history and we believe our practices as therapists need to reflect these understandings. Ideas from phenomenology help us to perceive and set aside theoretical pre-judgments and biases and to identify personal blind-spots that we might otherwise bring into our work as therapists. Existential ideas help us to see that, although our lives may be deeply impacted by forces around us, experiences of trauma or exclusion, they need not be ultimately limited to or defined by these forces.
Existential and phenomenological ideas serve as a source of both questions and insights into basic human experiences of love, growth, suffering, healing, spirituality and meaning-making.
- Based in person-centered and humanistic ethical ideals and inspired by thinkers such as Husserl, Levinas, Buber, de Beauvoir, Frankl, Gadamer, Rogers, May and Yalom, our program challenges the tendency of modern therapies to approach human experience in a reductionistic manner, e.g., to see clients as mere clusters of symptoms to be treated, or to be related to through checklists and narrowly scripted interventions.
- Ideas from phenomenology help us to listen well, to appreciate the uniqueness of each client's situation, needs and perspectives. By doing so, we can help them to create richer meanings in their lives and deepen their relationships with others.
- We work from the conviction that the best therapists are not detached technicians; they are responsibly committed to their clients, embodying qualities of humility, warmth and compassion.
- Writings from the human sciences, like anthropology, social medicine, post-colonialism, feminist, queer and critical race theory, provide our students with a powerful set of approaches for exploring issues of cultural identity and difference in therapeutic work.
- Instead of offering stereotyped formulations that categorize and essentialize the qualities of "others", the human science and phenomenological traditions emphasizes the need for therapists to adopt a stance of humility and explore in dialogue the unique needs and aspirations of our clients that arise from their complex intersection of identities.
- We provide aspiring therapists with skills and training to explore with clients' experiences of historical oppression and exclusion and to work within the therapeutic relationship to help empower clients to live lives of authenticity and meaning.
If you are interested in learning more about existential-phenomenological and humanistic approaches to therapeutic work, the following works are an excellent place to begin:
- Frankl, V. (1971). Man’s Search for Meaning. Various editions.
- May, R. (1983). The Discovery of Being: Writings in Existential Psychology. Norton.
- Rogers, C. (1961). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy. Various editions.
- Yalom, I. (1980). Existential Psychotherapy. Basic Books.
- Yalom, I. D. (2001). The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients. Harper Collins.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about the program or application, we’re here to help!
Ashley Miller
Senior Admissions Counselor