Life can be full of questions that don’t have simple answers.
You might find yourself wondering: What’s the point? Am I on the right path? Why do I feel so restless, even when things look fine on the outside?
Existential therapy is about exploring these questions in a practical, supportive way — not as an abstract philosophy lecture, but as a path to living more fully.
What “Existential” Really Means
Existential simply means “relating to existence.”
In therapy, that means we look at the realities of life we all face — freedom, responsibility, mortality, isolation, connection, and meaning. These themes might sound heavy, but they are also what make life rich and purposeful.
Instead of avoiding them, existential therapy invites us to face them directly, so they no longer hold us back.
When Existential Therapy Can Help
People often come to existential counselling when they feel:
At a crossroads
Feeling unsure about career, relationships, or direction
Restless or disconnected
Even when life looks fine on the outside
Overwhelmed by anxiety
About death, ageing, or uncertainty
Coping with loss or change
Grief, bereavement, or major transitions
Burnt out by success
When achievement no longer feels meaningful
Loss of connection
Feeling distant from yourself, loved ones, or the world around you.
If you recognise yourself here, existential therapy can help you make sense of what you’re experiencing and find your own way forward.
How Existential Therapy Works
Sessions are a space to pause and reflect.
We’ll talk openly about your experiences, the choices in front of you, and the fears or conflicts that come with them. The aim isn’t to give you ready-made answers, but to help you discover your own.
Together we’ll explore:
It’s not about endless analysis. It’s about building awareness and then taking steps that feel authentic and possible.
My Approach as a Therapist
I’m Matthew McGinty (MNCS, Accredited), and existential therapy is at the heart of my work.
I combine existential ideas with practical methods — such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and the Human Givens approach — so we’re always working with both the bigger picture and the day-to-day tools you need.
You won’t get jargon or abstract theory. You’ll get a supportive space to explore, and clear steps to help you move forward.
What You Can Gain From Existential Therapy
With time and support, many people find that existential counselling helps them:
- Feel more grounded — reduce anxiety about uncertainty and change
- Clarify values — focus on what really matters in life
- Make confident choices — act with more freedom and less fear
- Rebuild meaning — find purpose after loss, crisis, or transition
- Live authentically — with greater balance, compassion, and connection
Existential therapy isn’t about fixing you — because you’re not broken. It’s about helping you live more consciously, with a deeper sense of connection to yourself, others, and the world.
Take the Next Step
If you’re ready to explore questions of meaning, choice, and direction in a supportive space, reach out today.
Call 01733 639 040, email info@mentalwellnesscounselling.uk or use my online booking calendar to arrange your first session.
Existential therapy can help you stop circling the same questions — and start living with clarity and purpose.
FAQs About Existential Therapy
People often have questions before starting existential therapy — here are answers to some of the most common ones.
Is existential therapy just philosophy?
No. While it draws on philosophy, sessions are practical and focused on your real-life challenges.
How is it different from CBT?
CBT focuses on thoughts and behaviours. Existential therapy looks at meaning, choice, and values — the “bigger picture.” I often blend both.
Will we talk about death?
Only if you want to. Many people find relief in naming fears about mortality, but the focus is always guided by you.
What if I don’t have a big crisis — just a vague sense of unease?
That’s very common. Existential therapy isn’t only for major crises — it can help with restlessness, lack of direction, or that feeling of ‘something missing.’
Do you have specific training in existential therapy?
Yes.
I trained extensively in existential therapy through the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC), London, completing advanced postgraduate studies in:
- Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Existential Theory and Practice, 2019
- Advanced Existential Studies, 2020
- Critical Psychopathology, 2021
- Psychoanalytic Theory and Practice, 2019
- Life Span Psychology, 2020
Existential therapy forms the foundation of my approach — helping clients explore meaning, freedom, and self-understanding in the face of life’s challenges.