NICK WRIGHT
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
    • Organisations and leadership
    • Learning and development
    • Coaching and counselling
  • Blog
  • e-Resources
  • News
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
    • Organisations and leadership
    • Learning and development
    • Coaching and counselling
  • Blog
  • e-Resources
  • News
  • Contact

Existential

22/7/2023

20 Comments

 
Picture

‘Human existence is always directed to something, or someone, other than itself – be it a meaning to fulfil, or another human being to encounter lovingly.’ (Viktor Frankl)

Existential coaching is a powerful and introspective approach that can empower individuals and groups to confront life's fundamental questions, find meaning and embrace personal and social responsibility. Rooted in existential philosophy, this coaching method guides clients through self-exploration, enabling them to confront their fears and uncertainties and make authentic choices aligned with their values. Here are some examples of existential coaching questions:

  • Which aspects of your life feel the most meaningful and purposeful for you at the moment?
  • What activities most ignite a sense of aliveness and presence in your everyday experiences?
  • How do you envision your ideal life, and what steps can you take to move towards that vision?
  • What does relationship mean to you, whether to yourself, to God or to other people or things?
  • How do you deal with feelings of existential anxiety, or the fear of aloneness or the unknown?
  • Are there any recurring patterns or beliefs that may be limiting your growth or fulfilment?
  • What legacy do you wish to leave behind, and how does it impact your current decision-making?
  • How do you cope with the concept of mortality, and does it affect the way you live your life?
  • In what ways can you take more responsibility for shaping your own life and finding purpose?

Existential coaching recognizes that we all face inherent dilemmas, and embracing these challenges can lead to personal and social growth. Using this approach, the coach serves as a supportive ally, helping clients to confront their concerns, explore their inner personal-cultural truths and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. The client can learn to navigate life's complexities with greater clarity and intention, leading to a more meaningful and purposeful life.

[Further reading: Monica Hanaway, The Handbook of Existential Coaching Practice (2020); Yannick Jacob, An Introduction to Existential Coaching (2019); Emmy van Deurzen & Monica Hanaway, Existential Perspectives on Coaching (2012)]
20 Comments
Ethan Anderson
23/7/2023 11:04:19 am

Hi Nick. I remember reading your previous blog on this "existential" approach to coaching. The questions you posed then, as now, triggered a profound journey of self-discovery for me!

Reply
Nick Wright
23/7/2023 12:18:11 pm

Hi Ethan. Thanks for such encouraging feedback. :) I still continue on my own spiritual-existential journey too.

(I think this may be the blog you are referring to? https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/existential-coaching)

Reply
Sofia Rossi
23/7/2023 11:09:24 am

Existential coaching, it's intriguing, but I wonder if it suits everyone's personality and needs. Some people, they seem to be naturally philosophical. Others, they seem more interested in a hard scientific view, in what we can see and touch. I imagine the existential approach, it appeals more to the philosophers, no?

Reply
Nick Wright
23/7/2023 11:28:18 am

Hi Sophia. I think that's a good point. Yes, I imagine existential coaching, like other different approaches to coaching, will appeal to some people more than to others.

Reply
Paul Newton
24/7/2023 09:16:18 am

"Existential" is unnecessary jargon. I'd call it "scratching beneath the surface" coaching.

Reply
Nick Wright
24/7/2023 09:26:59 am

Hi Paul. Yes, I guess like any language, it can be illuminating for some and blinding for others. On the 'beneath the surface' theme, this short related piece may be of interest? https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/deep

Liam Johnson
23/7/2023 11:11:13 am

Hi Nick. Interesting thoughts as always. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate the philosophy, but I wonder if existential coaching is truly effective.

Reply
Nick Wright
23/7/2023 11:29:44 am

Hi Liam. You're welcome. That's an interesting question. I guess the answer to the question may depend on what different people and cultures may regard and experience as 'effective'?

Reply
Ava Petrov
23/7/2023 11:14:37 am

Hello Nick Wright. I had a coach but it was too limited. It only focused on goals. Existential coaching asks the big questions. It kindled my creativity. I now paint my existence on life's canvas. Embrace the unknown and dance through life!

Reply
Nick Wright
23/7/2023 11:32:33 am

Hi Ava. Thanks for sharing from personal experience. 'I now paint my existence on life's canvas. Embrace the unknown and dance through life.' I love the way you expressed that so creatively, experientially and artistically! :)

Reply
Lucas Martinez
23/7/2023 11:19:38 am

Hi Nick. While existential coaching has its appeal, it may not address immediate practical challenges. I appreciate its focus on purpose but, as a manager, I need concrete steps too. I don't mean to be offensive but it sounds like introspective navel gazing! I question its practicality in achieving tangible goals.

Reply
Nick Wright
23/7/2023 12:00:43 pm

Hi Lucas. I think that's a fair challenge. In my experience, existential coaching takes a deep dive into fundamental life questions and experiences, e.g. who am I; why am I here? It also focuses on choices and actions that emerge from our reflections on such questions. My sense is that, if we genuinely face such issues openly, honestly and courageously, they will invariably result in concrete outcomes. They can be quite literally life-changing.

Reply
Isabella van der Berg
23/7/2023 11:23:35 am

Hi Nick. Existential coaching was new to me but it helped me embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. As I explored life's uncertainties and confronted my fears, I found solace in spirituality. Embracing the existential philosophy led me to discover God and Jesus in a deeply personal way. The coaching process ignited a spiritual awakening within me and I now walk my life path with faith, love and a renewed sense of purpose.

Reply
Nick Wright
23/7/2023 12:06:22 pm

Hi Isabella. Thanks for sharing openly from your own personal journey. It resonates with my own life journey too. For me, existential and spiritual questions are integrally intertwined. Jesus and relationship with him is the answer to many of the deepest questions for me. In case of interest, I explore some of theses spiritual-existential issues in greater depth in these related short pieces:

https://www.nick-wright.com/spirituality-in-coaching.html
https://www.nick-wright.com/the-coaching-spirit.html
https://www.nick-wright.com/sense-of-destiny.html

Reply
Mike Hargreaves
24/7/2023 08:56:06 am

I'm not sure about this approach, Nick. Isn't there a risk that asking these questions about mortality etc. could trigger the existential anxiety that you're talking about? It doesn't feel very safe. If the client takes the questions seriously enough, it could send them into a downward spiral without a way up again. Or am I missing something?

Reply
Nick Wright
24/7/2023 09:07:43 am

Hi Mike and thank you for posing such insightful and important reflections and questions. What you have described here is exactly the dilemma that many existential philosophers face and experience too (see, for instance: https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/light-in-darkness).

In my experience, if we are to use an existential approach, it's often because that is what a client is already looking for because, deep down, they are already beginning to ask and experience some of these questions for themselves (even if they aren't using words like 'existential' to label them).

Having a trusted existential coach alongside as a 'supportive ally' can mean that the person isn't entering or going deeper into that journey alone. I often find that the deepest questions converge with questions of spirituality too (see, for instance: https://www.nick-wright.com/spirituality-in-coaching.html).

This means careful contracting with a client so that (a) they know and understand what this approach could entail and (b) they 'lead' the focus and boundaries of the journey, rather than having these imposed on them. It's about enabling the client to deepen their awareness and grow in their agency.

Reply
Mike Hargreaves
24/7/2023 09:22:33 am

Thanks Nick. I've just read your "Light in Darkness". You've really got me thinking. Rather than asking does your approach go to deep, I'm now asking myself if my own approach is too shallow. Can you offer me any guidance??

Nick Wright
24/7/2023 09:32:30 am

Thanks Mike. I like the openness and honesty in your response. I guess it depends to a high degree on what the client would find most useful. On the diving deep question, this short related piece may be of interest: https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/diving-deep-in-the-coaching-pool

Drop me a line if you'd like to discuss further?

Mark Levick
26/7/2023 01:45:22 pm

Thanks Nick. Great post! Existential coaching offers clients the means and ways to navigate the inevitable complexities, dilemmas and paradoxes of being human. One of the things I love about existential coaching is that it helps clients to 'get out of their own heads' and back into the realities of their lived experience.

Reply
Nick Wright
26/7/2023 01:47:40 pm

Thank you for such encouraging feedback, Mark. I like they way you expressed that: 'out of their own heads...and back into the realities of their lived experience.' On that front, this short related piece may resonate: https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/advent-light

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    ​Nick Wright

    ​I'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? ​Get in touch!

    Picture
    Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
    Subscribe to Blog
    Picture
    Picture


    ​Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

    Categories

    All
    Abc
    Ability
    Accountability
    Achievement
    Act
    Action
    Action Learning
    Active Listening
    Activism
    Adaptability
    Adaptive
    Advent
    Adventure
    Advice
    Advocacy
    Africa
    Age
    Agency
    Agile
    Aid
    Alientation
    Ambiguity
    Anchor
    Angle
    Anthropomorphism
    Anticipation
    Anxiety
    Appraisal
    Appreciation
    Appreciative
    Appreciative Inquiry
    Approach
    Argyris
    Armaments
    Art
    Artificial Intelligence
    Asia
    Aslan
    Assertiveness
    Assumption
    Assumptions
    Asylum
    Asylum Seekers
    Attachment
    Attention
    Attitude
    Attribution
    Audience
    Authenticity
    Authority
    Autonomy
    Avoidance
    Awareness
    BANI
    Baptist
    Behaviour
    Being
    Belief
    Beliefs
    Belonging
    Bereavement
    Berlin Wall
    Bias
    Bible
    Body Language
    Borders
    Boundaries
    Brainstorming
    Brand
    Bridges
    Burnout
    Business
    Cages
    Calling
    Capability
    Cards
    Care
    Career
    Categories
    Censorship
    Challenge
    Chance
    Change
    Chaos
    Character
    Charity
    Child
    Children
    Choice
    Choose
    Christ
    Christian
    Christmas
    Church
    Clarity
    Client
    Climate
    Coach
    Coaching
    Co-active
    Coactive
    Cognition
    Cognitive
    Cognitive Behavioural
    Coincidence
    Collaboration
    Collaborative
    Commitment
    Communication
    Communism
    Community
    Compassion
    Competence
    Competencies
    Competency
    Complexity
    Concepts
    Confidence
    Confidentiality
    Conflict
    Confluence
    Confusion
    Congruence
    Conscience
    Consciousness
    Construct
    Constructivism
    Constructs
    Construe
    Consultancy
    Consulting
    Contact
    Content
    Context
    Contracting
    Contribution
    Control
    Conversation
    Corruption
    Counselling
    Counterintiution
    Counterintuition
    Countertransference
    Courage
    Craziness
    Creativity
    Credibility
    Crisis
    Critical Consciousness
    Critical Reflection
    Critical Reflective Practice
    Critical Reflexivity
    Critical Thinking
    Critique
    Cross
    Cross Cultural
    Cross-cultural
    Cross Culture
    Cross-culture
    Culture
    Curiosity
    Customer Care
    Customers
    Customer Service
    Dad
    Danger
    Darkness
    Death
    Deception
    Decision
    Deconstruction
    Defence
    Defences
    Deferred Gratification
    Definition
    Delight
    Delusion
    Dementia
    Democracy
    Demographics
    Depression
    Despair
    Determination
    Development
    Deviance
    Deviant
    Diagnosis
    Dictatorship
    Diet
    Dignity
    Dilemma
    Disability
    Disaster
    Discernment
    Discipline
    Disclosure
    Discovery
    Discrimination
    Disruptive
    Dissent
    Dissident
    Dissonance
    Distinctiveness
    Distortion
    Diversity
    Doomscrolling
    Dream
    Dynamic
    Dynamic Complexity
    Dynamics
    Dysfunction
    Dysthymia
    Easter
    Ecology
    Economics
    Ecosystems
    Edge
    Edi
    Education
    Effectiveness
    Efficiency
    Ego State
    Election
    Eliciting
    Emergence
    Emotion
    Emotional
    Emotional Intelligence
    Empathy
    Empowerment
    Encounter
    Encouragement
    Energy
    Engagement
    Entrepreneur
    Environment
    Equality
    Eternity
    Ethics
    Ethiopia
    Europe
    Evaluation
    Evidence
    Evocative
    Evolution
    Existential
    Existentialism
    Expectation
    Expectations
    Experience
    Experiences
    Experiment
    Experimentation
    Expertise
    Exploration
    Explore
    Exposure
    Expression
    Extremism
    Facilitation
    Facilitator
    Faciltitation
    Factors
    Faith
    Family
    Fantasy
    Far Right
    Father
    Fear
    Feedback
    Feeling
    Feminism
    Field Theory
    Fight Fight Freeze
    Fight-fight-freeze
    Fight Flight Freeze
    Figure
    Filter
    Fit
    Flashback
    Focus
    Food Bank
    Forgiveness
    Framework
    Freedom
    Free Speech
    Freud
    Friends
    Fun
    Future
    Gaza
    Gaze
    Gender
    Geopolitical
    Geopolitics
    German
    Germany
    Gestalt
    Gift
    Global
    Goal
    Goals
    God
    Good Friday
    Gospel
    Grace
    Grief
    Grit
    Ground
    Group
    Groups
    Groupwork
    Guidance
    Guilt
    Habit
    Healing
    Health
    Hear
    Heidegger
    Hermeneutics
    Hero
    Hierarchy
    History
    Holistic
    Holy Spirit
    Home
    Homeless
    Homelessness
    Honesty
    Hope
    Hopelessness
    Hubris
    Human
    Human Givens
    Humanitarian
    Humanity
    Human Resources
    Human Rights
    Humility
    Humour
    Hybrid
    Hypotheses
    Hypothesis
    Icon
    Idealising
    Ideas
    Ideation
    Identity
    Ideology
    Image
    Imagination
    Immersion
    Immigration
    Impact
    Impostor
    Improvisation
    Incarnation
    Inclusion
    Independence
    Influence
    Influences
    Influencing
    INGO
    Initiative
    Injustice
    Innovation
    Inquiry
    Insecurity
    Insight
    Inspiration
    Instinct
    Integrity
    Intention
    Intercultural
    Interdependence
    Interference
    International
    Interpretation
    Intersectionality
    Intimacy
    Introjection
    Introversion
    Intuition
    Invisible
    Invitation
    Iran
    Irrationality
    Israel
    Jargon
    Jesus
    Jolt
    Journey
    Joy
    Judgements
    Jungle
    Justice
    Keys
    Kindness
    Knowing
    Knowledge
    Labels
    Language
    Lateral Thinking
    Leader
    Leadership
    Leadership Teams
    Learner
    Learning
    Legacy
    Lent
    Lesson
    Liberal
    Life
    Light
    Linguistic
    Listening
    Logic
    Loss
    Love
    Management
    Manager
    Manipulation
    Marathon
    Marginalisation
    Marketing
    Martin Luther King
    Matrix
    Mbti
    Meaning
    Media
    Mediation
    Meditation
    Meetings
    Memory
    Mental Health
    Mentoring
    Merit
    Metaphor
    Metaphysic
    Metaphysics
    Mindfulness
    Miracle
    Mirror
    Mirroring
    Misfit
    Mission
    Mode
    Montessori
    Morality
    Motivation
    Music
    Mystery
    Narrative
    Nationalism
    Nativity
    Nazis
    Need
    Negotiation
    Neo-Nazi
    Networking
    News
    New Year
    Norm
    Norms
    Noticing
    Online
    Operations
    Opportunity
    Oppression
    Options
    Organisation
    Organisation Develoment
    Organisation Development
    Orientation
    Origin
    Outcome
    Pace
    Pain
    Palestinian
    Panic
    Paradigm
    Paradox
    Parent
    Partnership
    Passion
    Pastoral
    Pastoral Care
    Pattern Matching
    Patterns
    Peace
    People
    Perception
    Perfectionism
    Performance
    Perseverance
    Personal Constructs
    Personal Leadership
    Person Centred
    Perspective
    Persuasion
    Phenomenology
    Phenomenon
    Philippines
    Philosophy
    Physical
    Physicality
    Place
    Plan
    Plane
    Plans
    Plato
    Play
    Plot
    Polarity
    Policy
    Politics
    Poor
    Positive
    Positive Psychology
    Posture
    Potential
    Potential#
    Poverty
    Power
    Powerlessness
    Practice
    Pragmatism
    Praxis
    Prayer
    Preference
    Preferences
    Prepare
    Presence
    Presentation
    Principles
    Priorities
    Priority
    Privilege
    Proactive
    Proactivity
    Problem Solving
    Procedure
    Process
    Prodigal
    Professional
    Profit
    Progressive
    Projection
    Projects
    Prompt
    Propaganda
    Protection
    Protest
    Providence
    Provocative
    Psychoanalysis
    Psychodynamic
    Psychodynamics
    Psychology
    Psychometrics
    Psychotherapy
    Purpose
    Pushback
    Quality
    Quest
    Question
    Questions
    Race
    Radical
    Rainbow
    Rational
    Rationale
    Rationalisation
    Rationality
    Ratlonality
    Realisation
    Reality
    Reason
    Reasoning
    Reconciiliation
    Reconciliation
    Recruitment
    Reflect
    Reflection
    Reflective Practice
    Reflexivity
    Reframing
    Refugee
    Refugees
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Release
    Relief
    Religion
    Representation
    Rescue
    Research
    Resilience
    Resistance
    Resonance
    Resourcefulness
    Respect
    Responsibility
    Responsive
    Responsiveness
    Retreat
    Revelation
    Reward
    Rich
    Rights
    Riot
    Risk
    Role
    Role Model
    Roman Catholic
    Rosabeth Moss-kanter
    Rules
    Russia
    Sabbath
    Sacred
    Safeguarding
    Safety
    Salvation
    Satire
    Satnav
    Saviour
    Scepticism
    Schemata
    School
    Science
    Secure Base
    Security
    See
    Selection
    Selective Attention
    Self
    Self-deception
    Self-sacrifice
    Sense Making
    Sense-making
    Senses
    Sensitivity
    Serendipity
    Servant
    Shadow
    Shock
    Significance
    Silence
    Simplicity
    Sin
    Skills
    Skin Colour
    Snake
    Social Change
    Social Construct
    Social Construction
    Social Constructionism
    Social Constructs
    Social Enterprise
    Social Entrepreneurship
    Social Media
    Social Psychology
    Sociology
    Socrates
    Solution Focused
    Solutions
    Solutions Focus
    Solutions-focus
    Somalia
    Song
    South Sudan
    Space
    Speak
    Speech
    Speed
    Spirit
    Spiritual
    Spirituality
    Stance
    Status
    Stealth
    Stereotype
    Stereotypes
    Stereotyping
    St Francis
    Stimulus
    Storm
    Story
    Strategic
    Strategy
    Strengths
    Stress
    Stretch
    Structure
    Struggle
    Stuck
    Student
    Style
    Subconscious
    Subjectivity
    Success
    Sudan
    Suffering
    Supervision
    Support
    Survival
    Sustainability
    Symbol
    Symbolism
    Symbols
    Synergy
    Systems
    Systems Thinking
    TA
    Tactical
    Tactics
    Talent
    Teacher
    Teaching
    Team
    Team Meeting
    Teams
    Teamwork
    Teamworking
    Technology
    Teenage
    Tension
    Theology
    Theory
    Therapy
    Thinking
    Thought
    Time
    Touch
    Toys
    Traction
    Trade
    Trade Union
    Tradition
    Training
    Transactional Analysis
    Transference
    Transformation
    Transition
    Transitional Object
    Trauma
    Trends
    Trust
    Truth
    Turbulence
    Type
    Ubuntu
    Ukraine
    Uncertainty
    Unexpected
    United Nations
    Use Of Self
    Valentine
    Vallues
    Value
    Valued
    Values
    Vicious Cycle
    Violence
    Virtuous Cycle
    Visibility
    Visible
    Vision
    Vocation
    Voice
    Voting
    VUCA
    Vulnerability
    Vulnerable
    Waiting
    Walls
    War
    Warning
    Wealth
    Weird
    Wellbeing
    Will
    Willingness
    Window
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Women
    Wonder
    Words
    World
    Worth
    Youth
    Zero-sum
    Zoom

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
    • Organisations and leadership
    • Learning and development
    • Coaching and counselling
  • Blog
  • e-Resources
  • News
  • Contact