Existential Anxiety − the Journey towards Authenticity

Abstract

By using one of its core concepts − the life script − Transactional Analysis explains how in our early childhood we form strategies which give us the best chances of survival in our environment. We con­tinue to use these strategies throughout our lives, for they give us a sense of predictability and certainty. On the one hand, we pay the price for this by losing our authenticity, autonomy and intimacy. On the other hand, our life scripts protect us from existential anxiety, which we feel when we come in contact with such givens of existence as freedom, isolation, rationality, responsibility and death. Dealing with existential anxiety is anything but pleasant, for it involves taking risks, pain and suffering. Nevertheless, such anxi­ety is part of an authentic life and as therapists we cannot protect our clients from it. By being involved in the therapeutic process, we show our clients that this is something all people have to experience, although nobody finds it pleasant. We can help our clients to discover the courage, to take responsibility and start their journey towards freedom − i.e. to step out from their script. This is where the therapist’s frame of refer­ence and involvement in the therapeutic relationship plays a crucial role. In the following article I present several cases to illustrate how we can integrate transactional analysis and existential psychotherapy in the treatment of such anxiety.