In today’s expanding world of mental health, people are searching for more meaningful, person-centred approaches to therapy—methods that look beyond labels and symptoms. Two powerful frameworks rising in popularity are Constructivist Psychotherapy and Existential Psychotherapy.
Both therapeutic approaches explore the inner world of meaning, identity, and emotion. Rather than focusing solely on diagnoses, they invite individuals to become active participants in their healing, fostering self-awareness, emotional depth, and personal growth.
This article explores the foundations, benefits, and key differences between constructivist and existential psychotherapy—helping you decide which approach might resonate with your personal journey.
What You'll Learn in This Article:
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What Constructivist Psychotherapy is
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What Existential Psychotherapy focuses on
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How both approaches support emotional wellbeing
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The differences between them
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How each approach fosters long-term growth
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Which model may be right for your healing path
What Constructivist Psychotherapy is
What Existential Psychotherapy focuses on
How both approaches support emotional wellbeing
The differences between them
How each approach fosters long-term growth
Which model may be right for your healing path
What is Constructivist Psychotherapy?
Constructivist psychotherapy is rooted in the belief that each of us constructs our own reality based on our experiences, beliefs, and personal history. In this approach, your inner world—how you interpret life events and give them meaning—is at the centre of therapeutic work.
Rather than focusing on changing thoughts to match a standard, the goal is to explore and reshape your inner narrative in a way that serves your values and personal growth. Constructivist therapists help you:
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Examine the stories you’ve developed about yourself and the world
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Identify how those stories influence your emotions and behaviours
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Challenge limiting beliefs and thought patterns
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Reconstruct more empowering perspectives for your life
This approach is especially helpful for those struggling with identity, trauma, low self-esteem, or stuck patterns of thinking.
Examine the stories you’ve developed about yourself and the world
Identify how those stories influence your emotions and behaviours
Challenge limiting beliefs and thought patterns
Reconstruct more empowering perspectives for your life
What is Existential Psychotherapy?
Existential psychotherapy is inspired by philosophical traditions and centres on what it means to be human. It encourages clients to explore the deeper questions of life: Why am I here? What is my purpose? How do I live with uncertainty, freedom, and mortality?
Rather than focusing on symptoms, existential therapy creates space to reflect on your values, beliefs, and the emotional truths of being alive. It’s particularly suited to those who are:
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Experiencing grief, loss, or existential anxiety
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Struggling with identity or feeling disconnected from purpose
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Facing major life transitions or inner conflict
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Seeking a more authentic and intentional way of living
The therapist works with you to navigate these challenges and help you find clarity, personal meaning, and emotional resilience.
Experiencing grief, loss, or existential anxiety
Struggling with identity or feeling disconnected from purpose
Facing major life transitions or inner conflict
Seeking a more authentic and intentional way of living
How These Therapies Support Mental Health
Both therapies are powerful in supporting individuals who want to go beyond surface-level fixes and build long-lasting emotional strength.
💡 Constructivist Psychotherapy Helps With:
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Anxiety and depression by reshaping self-perception
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Trauma through narrative processing and reinterpretation
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Low self-worth by building a more positive inner identity
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Relationship struggles by examining relational patterns
Anxiety and depression by reshaping self-perception
Trauma through narrative processing and reinterpretation
Low self-worth by building a more positive inner identity
Relationship struggles by examining relational patterns
🔍 Existential Psychotherapy Helps With:
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Emotional suffering such as guilt, fear, and shame
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Loss of purpose or motivation
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Major life transitions and uncertainty
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Identity crises and existential distress
These therapies don’t rely on rigid protocols. Instead, they help clients become more aware, reflective, and empowered in their own lives.
Emotional suffering such as guilt, fear, and shame
Loss of purpose or motivation
Major life transitions and uncertainty
Identity crises and existential distress
Key Differences Between Constructivist and Existential Psychotherapy
While both models value individuality, they differ in focus and method:
Constructivist Psychotherapy:
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Focuses on how we construct meaning from experience
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Helps reframe and reconstruct inner narratives
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Encourages cognitive flexibility and present-moment awareness
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Ideal for working through identity and behavioural patterns
Focuses on how we construct meaning from experience
Helps reframe and reconstruct inner narratives
Encourages cognitive flexibility and present-moment awareness
Ideal for working through identity and behavioural patterns
Existential Psychotherapy:
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Explores the nature of human existence and core life themes
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Supports clients in confronting universal challenges such as death, isolation, and freedom
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Emphasises personal responsibility and authenticity
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Often used to explore purpose, grief, anxiety, and emotional depth
In essence, constructivist therapy rewrites the story, while existential therapy explores why the story matters.
Explores the nature of human existence and core life themes
Supports clients in confronting universal challenges such as death, isolation, and freedom
Emphasises personal responsibility and authenticity
Often used to explore purpose, grief, anxiety, and emotional depth
Benefits for Wellbeing and Growth
Both approaches foster deep healing and provide a strong foundation for long-term mental wellbeing.
✨ Benefits of Constructivist Therapy:
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More empowering self-perception
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Improved coping and resilience
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Greater emotional flexibility
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Enhanced confidence in your personal story
More empowering self-perception
Improved coping and resilience
Greater emotional flexibility
Enhanced confidence in your personal story
🌱 Benefits of Existential Therapy:
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Clarity around life purpose and direction
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Emotional healing through meaning-making
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Acceptance of life’s uncertainties
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Empowerment through conscious choice and freedom
These therapies don’t just relieve distress—they encourage individuals to live with clarity, intention, and inner strength.
Clarity around life purpose and direction
Emotional healing through meaning-making
Acceptance of life’s uncertainties
Empowerment through conscious choice and freedom
Which Approach Might Be Right for You?
Choosing between the two depends on your needs and what you're hoping to explore in therapy:
✅ Choose Constructivist Therapy if you want to:
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Examine and shift unhelpful thought patterns
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Understand how your past shapes your present
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Strengthen identity and self-esteem
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Reconstruct a more empowering personal narrative
✅ Choose Existential Therapy if you want to:
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Explore life’s deeper questions and find meaning
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Work through grief, loss, or transitions
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Understand your emotions in the context of freedom and responsibility
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Live with greater authenticity and purpose
Many therapists integrate elements from both models, tailoring the process to your unique journey.
Examine and shift unhelpful thought patterns
Understand how your past shapes your present
Strengthen identity and self-esteem
Reconstruct a more empowering personal narrative
Explore life’s deeper questions and find meaning
Work through grief, loss, or transitions
Understand your emotions in the context of freedom and responsibility
Live with greater authenticity and purpose
💬 Did This Article Resonate with You?
If this helped clarify the difference between these two powerful therapies, we’d love to hear from you!
Drop a comment below or share this post with someone who might benefit from a more meaningful, reflective approach to therapy.
Drop a comment below or share this post with someone who might benefit from a more meaningful, reflective approach to therapy.
