How does existential therapy approach the concept of freedom?

Existential therapy views freedom as both a privilege and a burden, emphasizing personal responsibility. This perspective recognizes that while individuals have the freedom to make choices and determine their own paths, this freedom also comes with the weight of responsibility for the consequences of those choices. In existential thought, the acknowledgment of freedom is central to understanding human experience; it invites individuals to confront their conditions and to realize that they are the authors of their own lives.

This approach encourages individuals to embrace their freedom authentically and to understand that with great freedom comes the responsibility to act in ways that are congruent with their values and beliefs. It emphasizes the personal struggle that can arise from the awareness of one's freedom and the potential existential anxiety that can accompany decision-making. The therapeutic process often involves exploring how clients relate to their freedom and how they can navigate the accompanying responsibilities in a meaningful way.

In contrast, viewing freedom merely as a limitation imposed by society overlooks the intrinsic nature of individual agency, while considering it an absolute lack of constraints fails to recognize the inherent responsibility involved in making choices. Furthermore, dismissing freedom as a myth denies the lived experience of individuals who often feel the tension between autonomy and societal influences. Thus, the comprehensive recognition of freedom's duality as a privilege and a burden