What is an Existential-Humanist Therapist?
Therapists have many orientations to the space of therapy. Some take a more medical-approach, like symptom-reduction, or looking at things from a mental-illness/mental-health model, and may have specific training in how to diagnose, support with medication-management, etc. Some therapists take a behavioral approach, and look at the work from a place of behavioral modification–offering concrete, solution-oriented support in facilitating measurable change. Some therapists utilize creative tasks and interventions as ways to deepen, or access less conscious, more emotional parts of one’s person. All therapeutic modalities have value. All approaches are suited best to certain people’s needs. And given all that is out there, finding what works best for you, and knowing what to look for, can feel confusing! Read more
Gemma Baumer graduated with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Lewis & Clark College in 2020. She completed her internship with the M.E.T.A. counseling center, through the Hakomi Institute, learning about mindfulness-based therapy and experiential, somatic and process work. She currently works at Live True Counseling, in SW Portland, where she specializes in working with individuals and intimate partners around processing trauma, attachment, anxiety, and general growth work and meaning. She is also a passionate writer, and curates the blog for EHNW, where she loves writing and exploring the world through an Existential-Humanistic framework.
