Here’s what you can expect from an Existential and ACT Therapist
If you’re thinking about starting therapy, you might have some questions:
Will this actually help?
Do I have to relive every painful memory?
What if I don’t know what to say?
Therapy isn’t about “fixing” you—you’re not broken. It’s about learning to live with greater depth, freedom, and authenticity. My approach blends Existential Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you make sense of life’s struggles and move forward in a way that feels true to you.
Existential Therapy: Not as Scary as It Sounds (I promise!)
When people hear existential, they often think of doom, despair, and philosophers staring into the void (okay we may do that in a session some times). But existential therapy isn’t about making you question everything—it’s about helping you connect more deeply with what gives your life meaning.
Instead of focusing only on symptoms or quick fixes, we explore:
What truly matters to you
How to navigate uncertainty and transitions
How to live more fully, even in the face of difficulty
This isn’t about abstract philosophy, but about real, everyday life. Existential therapy helps you move from feeling stuck or lost to living with greater purpose and clarity, which works well with..
ACT: Learning to Move Forward, Even When Life Feels Hard
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is built on a simple but powerful idea: you don’t have to get rid of difficult emotions to live a meaningful life.
Many people come to therapy wanting to eliminate anxiety, grief, or uncertainty. But ACT teaches that the more we fight our emotions, the more stuck we become. Instead of struggling against your thoughts and feelings, ACT helps you:
Make space for emotions rather than trying to control them
Get unstuck from unhelpful thoughts
Take meaningful action even when doubt or fear is present
It’s not about “positive thinking” or ignoring hard things.
It’s about learning how to respond differently so that pain doesn’t hold you back.
Is Therapy Right for You?
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what’s next, therapy can help you make sense of it all. You don’t have to have everything figured out to begin, just a willingness to show up.
If this sounds like the kind of space you’re looking for, I’d love to connect.
Therapy isn’t about finding all the answers—it’s about learning how to live with more authenticity, courage, and meaning.
Author
Clayton Aker
MS Student Intern Therapist