Existential Therapy in Washington, DC
When life feels off—even if nothing is obviously wrong
You may be doing well on paper—working, maintaining relationships, keeping things together.
But internally:
Something feels disconnected
You’re unsure what you’re working toward
You question your choices or direction
You think deeply, but don’t feel any closer to clarity
This is often where people begin existential therapy.
Not because something is “broken,” but because something important is no longer being avoided.
What Is Existential Therapy?
Existential therapy focuses on the deeper questions that tend to emerge over time:
What does my life actually mean?
Am I living in a way that feels true to me?
Why do I feel disconnected, even when things are going well?
What am I avoiding or postponing?
Rather than offering quick strategies or surface-level solutions, this approach helps you understand your experience more clearly and make more intentional choices.
It’s influenced by thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger, but in practice, it’s grounded and conversational—not abstract.
What This Work Focuses On
Existential therapy often centers around:
Meaning and purpose — when life feels empty or directionless
Choice and responsibility — recognizing where you have agency
Disconnection — from yourself, others, or your life
Uncertainty — about relationships, identity, or the future
These aren’t treated as problems to eliminate, but as signals worth understanding.
How Therapy Works
A typical process includes:
1. Clarifying what feels “off”
We identify the specific ways you feel stuck, disconnected, or uncertain.
2. Exploring patterns and tensions
Looking at how you make decisions, relate to others, and structure your life.
3. Facing avoided questions
Often, clarity comes from engaging directly with what’s been pushed aside.
4. Moving toward more intentional choices
Not perfect answers—but choices that feel more aligned.
Who This Is For
This approach tends to fit if:
You think deeply and reflect on your experience
You feel stuck in a way that isn’t fully explained by anxiety or depression
You’ve tried more structured therapy and it felt limited
You’re questioning meaning, direction, or identity
What You Can Expect
Clients often begin therapy feeling uncertain or internally conflicted.
Over time, many develop:
Greater clarity about what matters to them
A better understanding of their patterns
More confidence in their decisions
A stronger sense of direction
Not because everything becomes easy—but because it becomes clearer and more deliberate.
Schedule Existential Therapy in Washington, DC
Forma offers existential-focused individual therapy for adults in Washington, DC, including neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, and surrounding areas.
Sessions are available in-person and via telehealth across DC.