Existential Therapy in Michigan | Counseling & Psychology

Existential Therapy in Michigan helps when life feels heavy, confusing, or empty. It is a type of talk therapy that focuses on meaning, choice, values, and how you want to live. Many people seek it when they feel stuck, scared about the future, or unsure who they are anymore. If you are dealing with anxiety, grief, big life changes, or a deep sense of “What’s the point?”, this approach can help you feel more grounded and clear.

Signs You Might Benefit

Existential therapy is not only for a crisis. It can also support you when you want to grow, heal, and make life feel worth living again. You do not have to have a diagnosis to start.

• You feel overwhelmed by anxiety about death, health, time passing, or “what comes next.”
• You feel numb, empty, or disconnected from joy, people, or daily life.
• You are grieving a loss and feel changed by it.
• You are going through a major life shift (divorce, job change, moving, becoming a parent, retirement).
• You feel stuck in a relationship pattern or life story that no longer fits.
• You struggle with guilt, shame, or regret and want to rebuild self-respect.
• You ask big questions like “Who am I?”, “What matters to me?”, or “Why am I here?”
• You want to live with more purpose and align your choices with your values.

Benefits You May Notice Over Time

Progress often looks like small, steady steps. In sessions, we focus on what is true for you, what you can control, and what kind of life you want to build.

• Less fear and more calm when facing uncertainty
• Better decision-making based on your values
• More meaning and connection in daily life
• Healthier boundaries and communication
• Greater self-acceptance and resilience
• A clearer sense of direction, even when life is hard

Evidence-Based Approach

Existential therapy is a human-centered approach. It is often used alongside research-supported methods, especially when anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma symptoms are present. We use clinical reasoning to match the therapy to your goals, your symptoms, and your pace.

How Existential Therapy Works (Clinically)

Many people feel distress when life feels out of control or pointless. Existential therapy helps you name what hurts, face hard truths with support, and find ways to live with purpose. We explore topics like freedom and responsibility, isolation and connection, meaning, and mortality in a gentle, practical way.

Integrative, Evidence-Informed Modalities

Depending on your needs, we may blend existential work with other well-studied approaches:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you notice unhelpful thought loops and build coping skills for anxiety and depression. The American Psychological Association recognizes CBT as an effective treatment for many conditions (American Psychological Association, 2017).
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Supports you in making room for painful thoughts and feelings while taking action guided by your values. This pairs well with existential themes of meaning and choice.
• Mindfulness-based skills: Helps calm the nervous system and increase present-moment awareness, especially when worries about the future take over.
• Grief-informed therapy: Supports healthy mourning, adjustment, and continued bonds, without rushing your process.
• Trauma-informed care: If trauma is part of your story, we focus on safety, pacing, and stabilizing skills first, then meaning-making later.

Why This Matters for Real-Life Outcomes

Research shows that psychotherapy can reduce symptoms and improve functioning, especially when the treatment fits the person and the person feels heard and supported (National Institutes of Health, 2022). Existential therapy adds a key layer: it helps you build a life that feels meaningful, not just “less symptomatic.”

Michigan Licensing Standards and Safe Care

In Michigan, mental health therapy must be provided by appropriately licensed professionals, such as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Master’s Social Workers (LMSW), Licensed Psychologists, or other credentialed providers, following state scope-of-practice laws and ethical standards. We also follow confidentiality rules and professional ethics, including informed consent, clear documentation, and referral to higher levels of care when needed.

What to Expect

Starting therapy can feel scary, especially if you are used to carrying things alone. We keep the process clear and supportive, step by step.

Before Your First Session

• You will complete intake forms and consent paperwork.
• We may ask brief questions about mood, anxiety, sleep, safety, and goals.
• You can share any preferences (faith, culture, identity, past therapy experiences, and what helps you feel safe).

Initial Intake Appointment

The first visit is a time to slow down and understand your story. We’ll talk about what brings you in, what you’ve tried, and what you want to be different. If you are dealing with depression, panic, grief, or trauma symptoms, we will also review coping tools and safety planning when appropriate.

Ongoing Sessions

Most sessions are 45–55 minutes. In existential therapy, the relationship is part of the healing. You can expect a mix of honest conversation, gentle questions, skills when needed, and time to reflect. You do not need perfect words. We can start with what feels most present: fear, sadness, anger, confusion, or feeling “stuck.”

Goals and Measurable Progress

Even though existential therapy explores big life themes, we still set practical goals. Examples include:

• Sleep through the night most nights
• Reduce panic symptoms and avoidance
• Return to work or school with support
• Improve communication in relationships
• Make one values-based decision each week

Insurance

Using insurance for therapy can feel confusing. We aim to make it simple and transparent. Coverage depends on your plan, your deductible, and whether the provider is in-network.

Copays and Deductibles

• Copay: A set amount you may pay per session (for example, $20–$60), even after your deductible is met.
• Deductible: The amount you may need to pay out-of-pocket before insurance starts covering sessions.
• Coinsurance: A percentage you may pay after the deductible (for example, 10–30%).

Mental Health Parity

Many plans must follow mental health parity rules, meaning mental health benefits should be comparable to medical benefits. This does not guarantee zero cost, but it can help protect access to care. We encourage you to call your insurance plan to ask about outpatient mental health benefits, session limits, and prior authorization requirements.

What We Can Help You Check

• In-network vs. out-of-network status
• Estimated session cost based on your benefits
• How superbills work if you are out-of-network

FAQ

Is existential therapy the same as talking about death?

Not always. Death can be one topic, but the bigger focus is how you want to live now. We talk about meaning, choices, relationships, fear, hope, and what matters most to you.

Can existential therapy help with anxiety or depression?

Yes. Many people feel anxious or depressed when life feels unsafe, unclear, or empty. We can use existential therapy along with evidence-based tools like CBT or ACT to reduce symptoms and also build purpose and direction (American Psychological Association, 2017; National Institutes of Health, 2022).

How long does existential therapy take?

It depends on your goals and what you are facing. Some people come for a short period (8–12 sessions) during a life change. Others prefer longer-term support to work through deeper patterns and build lasting meaning.

What if I don’t know what I believe or what my purpose is?

That is a common reason people start. You do not need answers to begin. Therapy is a place to explore your values, try small changes, and learn what feels true for you—at your own pace.

References: American Psychological Association. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of depression across three age cohorts. National Institutes of Health. (2022). Psychotherapies (NIH/NIMH public health information).