What do existential counselors believe about the purpose of life?

Existential counselors, drawing from existential philosophy, believe that the purpose of life is not predefined or given to us by external sources such as society, religion, or cultural norms. Instead, they posit that life's purpose is something that each individual must discover and create for themselves through personal choice, reflection, and authentic living.

Existential counseling is based on the principles that humans are free and responsible for their own choices and that they must find meaning in a world that can sometimes seem chaotic or indifferent. This approach to counseling emphasizes the individual's capacity to make rational choices despite the inherent uncertainties of life.

Existential counselors encourage clients to explore their own values, beliefs, and experiences to find personal significance and direction. They help clients to confront and embrace the existential givens of life, such as the inevitability of death, the freedom to make life choices, the existential isolation that can occur when realizing one's unique position in the world, and the challenge of finding meaning in the face of life's inherent meaninglessness.

The existential approach is not about prescribing a specific purpose but rather facilitating a process by which individuals can come to understand and accept the responsibility of creating their own life's meaning. This can involve a deep examination of one's life, confronting difficult emotions, and making choices that are in alignment with one's authentic self.

In summary, existential counselors believe that the purpose of life is a personal and subjective journey that each individual must undertake for themselves. It is about finding one's own path to meaning and living in a way that is true to one's own values and desires, despite the challenges and limitations that life presents.