The End In Sight Engaging with an existential understanding of time when working in time-limited practice

Abstract

This paper reflects upon working as an existential practitioner within a time-limited setting, and explores using this limitation to the benefit of the therapeutic endeavour. I offer a brief overview of some key existential thinking on time and temporality, and a review of key definitions of time- limited practice. A case illustration is included in which I seek to demonstrate the inherent potential in an existentially informed exploration of a definitive ending as a lever for facilitating an authentic engagement to being. I suggest that existential therapy is uniquely placed and suited to utilise the frame of the increasingly prevalent time-limited contract to the advantage of the client. Key words Temporality, existential practice, time-limited, brief therapy, ending