The Psychosis of Existential Training: Towards an inclusive and equitable therapeutic practice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65828/4642pj68Keywords:
Existentialism, decolonisation, Black existentialism, Eurocentrism, intersectionality, cultural trauma, epistemological bias, inclusivityAbstract
This paper calls for decolonising existential psychotherapy by integrating Black existentialist thought. Challenging Eurocentric frameworks and epistemological bias, it repositions Black narratives as central to understanding human existence. Drawing on Fanon, hooks and Gordon, it promotes intersectional, anti-racist training that restores existential practice as a universal, inclusive approach to freedom, meaning and cultural identity.
Complete access to the full archive of articles is available with SEA membership. Existing members: please log in with your membership password to view full text. Non-members can buy a single article or issue by registering an account on this website, then selecting a padlocked full text button to purchase.
References
Ahmed, S. (2012). On Being Included: Racism and diversity in institutional life. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780822395324
American Archive of Public Broadcasting (1961). A conversation with James Baldwin. Perspectives: Negro and the American Promise. Radio broadcast. WBAI-FM. January. https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip_15-0v89g5gf5r americanarchive.org [Accessed on 7th January 2026.]
Beauvoir, S. de (2018 [1948]). The Ethics of Ambiguity. Trans. Frechtman, B. New York, NY: Open Road Media.
Clifton, L. (1993). The Book of Light. Port Townsend, WA: Copper Canyon Press.
Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum. 1989 (1): 139-167. https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/uclf/vol1989/iss1/8 [Accessed on 7th January 2026.] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198782063.003.0016
Fanon, F. (2008 [1952]). Black Skin, White Masks. Trans. Philcox, R. New York, NY: Grove Press.
Gordon, L.R. (1996). Existence in Black: An anthology of Black existential philosophy. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203825341
Gordon, L.R. (2000). Existentia Africana: Understanding Africana existential thought. London: Routledge.
Gordon, L.R. (2013). Disciplinary Decadence: Living thought in trying times. London: Routledge.
Gordon, L.R. (2013). Freedom, justice and decolonization. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003112594
Gordon, L.R. (2022). Fear of Black Consciousness. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Heidegger, M. (1962 [1927]). Being and Time. Trans. Macquarrie, J & Robinson, E. London: Harper & Row.
hooks, b. (1988). A Burst of Light: Essays. Cambridge, MA: South End Press.
Kierkegaard, S. (1985 [1843]). Fear and Trembling. Trans. Hannay, A. London: Penguin Classics.
Lorde, A. (1984). Sister Outsider: Essays and speeches. Emeryville, CA: Crossing Press.
Mills, C.W. (1997). The Racial Contract. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9781501764301
Nietzsche, F. (1967 [1872]). The Birth of Tragedy and the Case of Wagner. Trans. Kaufmann, W. London: Vintage.
Sartre, J-P. (2003 [1943]). Being and Nothingness: An essay on phenomenological ontology. Trans. Barnes, H. E. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429434013
