About the Society · Founded 1988
The professional body for existential psychotherapy in the UK.
The Society for Existential Analysis brings together therapists, supervisors, trainers, scholars and students working in the existential and phenomenological traditions. We accredit practitioners, publish the field’s journal, convene its events, and connect the public to those qualified to help.
~700 members · UK registered charity · No. 1039274
What is existential therapy?
Existential therapy is a philosophical approach to psychotherapy. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, it works with the situations, relationships and limits that shape a life — and with the questions a person is already, often quietly, asking of themselves.
The tradition draws on phenomenology and the work of Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, de Beauvoir and others — adapted, in the consulting room, into a careful and curious way of meeting another person.
What we do
- 01Accredit
We accredit existential psychotherapists, supervisors and trainers, and maintain the public register of practitioners.
- 02Publish
We publish Existential Analysis — the twice-yearly peer-reviewed journal — and the Hermeneutic Circular magazine.
- 03Convene
We run webinars, reading groups and the annual conference, bringing the community together throughout the year.
- 04Connect
We connect the public to accredited practitioners and hold the field’s conversation across training schools and traditions.