Which therapy emphasizes the importance of living with greater meaning and values?

Existential therapy is centered on exploring the fundamental questions of existence, which often includes the search for meaning, purpose, and values in life. This therapeutic approach posits that individuals have the freedom and responsibility to create their own meaning, even in the face of inherent difficulties and uncertainties. Therapists working within this framework encourage clients to confront existential concerns such as death, isolation, and freedom, allowing them to live more authentically and purposefully. By emphasizing the significance of personal responsibility and the development of a value-oriented life, existential therapy seeks to empower individuals to reflect on their values and reshape their lives in alignment with those values, ultimately enhancing their sense of meaning and fulfillment.

The other therapy types mentioned focus on different aspects of human experience and do not prioritize the search for meaning and values in the same way. For instance, Adlerian therapy mainly addresses social interest and community feelings, Gestalt therapy concentrates on awareness and integration of different aspects of the self in the present moment, and psychoanalytic therapy delves into unconscious processes and early childhood experiences. While these therapies may touch upon elements of meaning and values, existential therapy specifically emphasizes this pursuit as central to the therapeutic process.