“Existential theory has great utility for working with young students who are in the midst of making sense of not only themselves and others, but also ambiguous educational choices that are often framed by adults within the context of their future life” (Dollarhide, 2019, p.156).
Some Common Interventions:
Paradoxical Intention: to help a student overcome a belief or issue by prescribing the symptom. The student “suddenly realizes the absurdity of the symptom or that by doing it more, [they come] to see that they can control it” (Neukrug, 2023, p.86).
Example: For a student who is afraid they will blush during a presentation, the counselor might suggest: "Try to blush so much that even your toes turn red". In many cases, the student begins to realize that they actually can control it, and subsequently, this lowers their anxiety.
Dereflection: When a student is troubled by a problem or symptom, this technique helps them redirect their attention toward something meaningful.
Example: A student is obsessed with a group of friends that no longer includes them at lunch. This technique might help them shift their focus toward helping another friend who is struggling in a subject they excel at.
References for Further Reading
Dickson, R. (2026). Examining Existential Therapy as an Intervention for Supporting LGBTQ+ Students in Rural School Settings. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 50(2), 97–104. https://doi.org/10.1037/rmh0000334
Dollarhide, C. T., & Lemberger-Truelove, M. E. (2019). Theories of school counseling for the 21st century. Oxford University Press.Hafenstein, N., Rainey, F., Baum, S., & Institute for the Development of Gifted Education, R. C. for G. C. (2000). Perspectives in Gifted Education: Twice-Exceptional Children. 2.
KLEM, J., OWENS, A., ROSS, A., EDWARDS, L., & COBIA, D. C. (2009). Dating Violence: Counseling Adolescent Females From an Existential Perspective. The Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education and Development, 48(1), 48–64. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1939.2009.tb00067.x
Neukrug, E. S., & Hays, D. G. (2023). Counseling theory and practice (3rd ed.). Cognella Academic Publishing.
Quinn, F. (2010). The right to choose: Existential-phenomenological psychotherapy with primary school-aged children. Counselling Psychology Review, 25(1), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpscpr.2010.25.1.41