Existential Therapy for the Challenge of Living on: Death, Illness and Loss

Bys: Barnett, Aviva and Wharne, Simon

Existential Therapy for the Challenge of Living On: Death, Illness and Loss offers a fresh existential and phenomenological perspective on the universal realities of death, illness, and loss, reframing them as inevitable and ordinary aspects of human existence.

It challenges the expectation of a "perfect life" and explores how we can continue to live meaningfully despite these ever-present challenges. Written in accessible language, the authors draw on their lived experiences and therapeutic work to create a conversational and emergent narrative. Through reflective first-person accounts, they examine the chaos and drama of life, questioning theoretical models of grief and human distress against the evidence of everyday lived experience. The book deconstructs common assumptions and provides pragmatic insights into how existential psychotherapists and counsellors might respond to clients facing these realities--not as technical advice, but as a compassionate exploration of what might truly be helpful. By integrating principles of existential philosophy, the authors promote self-understanding and resilience, offering solidarity to those who suffer while encouraging them to find their voice and move beyond the narrative of victimhood.

This book is an invaluable resource for helping professionals and anyone seeking to navigate the profound challenges of death, illness, and loss with courage and authenticity.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1041397321
• ISBN13: 9781041397328
• Release Date: November 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 212 Pages