The use of some existential ideas can be helpful in coaching especially when dealing with deeper life/existential issues. The existential approach looks at the various dimensions of the human condition that include (i) the capacity for self-awareness (ii) freedom and responsibility (iii) creating one’s identity and establishing meaningful relationships with others (iv) the search for meaning, purpose, values and goals, (v) anxiety as a condition of living and (vi) the awareness of death (Corey, 1996, p. 172) The existential approach is a philosophical approach that helps clients expand their awareness so that they can make better choices and live more deliberately, authentically and meaningfully.  It is based on the philosophical ideas of various existential thinkers with Heidegger generally considered to be the most influential.  There is no one, single founder. Existential therapy [coaching] is concerned with understanding people’s world view and clarifying what it means to be alive, and explores these questions with an open mind and receptive attitude.  The existential approach views human nature as open-minded, flexible and capable of a wide range and levels of experience.  The self is transparent i.e. there is no solid ‘I’.  We create ourselves as we exist and are in a constant process of becoming.  There is no existential theory of personality that divides us into types or parts (van Deurzen, 2002).   The term existential therapy is used to refer to many different existential practices by different key practitioners like Frankl, Rollo May, Bugental, Yalom, van Deurzen, and Spinellie and is best understood as a “rich tapestry of intersecting therapeutic practices, all of them orientate themselves around a shared concern: human lived experience (Cooper 2003). The approach de-emphasises techniques and focuses on understanding.  In fact, very few techniques flow from this approach.  The existentially oriented therapist may borrow from other approaches and work within an existential framework e.g. Yalom works pluralistically (Psychotherapy.net, 2006).  On the other hand, therapists of different orientations can integrate existential ideas in their work.  In fact, many experienced therapists, regardless of their theoretical orientations, employ many existential themes (Yalom, 1980). Existential practices can be time-limited or extended, and directive e.g. logotherapy or less-directive e.g. daseinanalysis.  There is no one fixed way to practice existential therapy and practitioners over time, develop their own existential way of working. Existential therapy is useful for clients in life transitions when they are often confronted with existential concerns like making choices, freedom, responsibility, isolation and loneliness, death, coping with guilt and anxiety, and making sense of their experiences and lives.  It can be applied to individual and group counselling, marital and family therapy, crisis intervention, and community mental-health work. References Cooper, M. (2003). Existential therapies. London: Sage Corey, G. (1996). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy (5th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA:  Brooks/Cole van Deurzen, E. (2002). Existential therapy. In W. Dryden (Ed.), Handbook of individual therapy  (Chapter 8). London: Sage Yalom, I.D.  (2006). Live case consultation. CA: Psychotherapy.net [DVD] Yalom, I. D. (1980). Existential psychotherapy: New York: Basic Books © EDORA ASIA COACHING 2012 1 Fullerton Rd #02-01, One Fullerton, Singapore 049213, Tel: 68325001 Existential Therapy/Coaching - brief overview by Ang TH