Becoming Existential

What happens when a therapist can’t see their client? Paulo Ribeiro is an existential psychotherapist and senior clinical supervisor at Headstrong Counselling in London. He holds a BA in Social Communication, an MA in Integrative Psychotherapy, and is completing an Advanced Diploma in Existential Psychotherapy. Before entering therapy, Paulo worked in journalism and PR across... The post Therapy Is Alchemy – Paulo Ribeiro on Blindness, Embodiment and Presence first appeared on Max Karlin.

In this conversation with Paola Pomponi, we explore what existential therapy really means — not just as a theory, but as a way of being with others. We talk about therapist training, authenticity, absurdity, everyday existential encounters, and why humor may be one of the deepest forms of connection. Paola reflects on what first drew... The post Presence Over Technique: An Existential Dialogue with Paola Pomponi first appeared on Max Karlin.

A Conversation With Ernesto Spinelli That Changes How we Think About Psychotherapy My today’s guest is Ernesto Spinelli –  one of the founders of existential therapy in the UK and one of the most influential figures in existential psychology and psychotherapy globally. He’s been practicing for over forty years. He’s written books that many of... The post What Is Therapy Really For? Ernesto Spinelli first appeared on Max Karlin.

In this episode of Becoming Existential, I sit down with Dr Claire Arnold-Baker — Principal of the New School of Psychotherapy & Counselling (NSPC), existential psychotherapist, psychologist, researcher and current Chair of the Federation for Existential Therapy in Europe (FETE). Claire is one of the course leaders on my training programme and someone whose clinical,... The post Bound and Free: Claire Arnold-Baker on Paradox, Responsibility & Existential Therapy first appeared on Max Karlin.

What happens when the path you’ve followed your whole life suddenly stops making sense? What does it really take — emotionally, personally, existentially — to become a therapist? In this intimate and reflective conversation, I sit with my peer and fellow trainee Persefoni Kaltaki, with whom I began my journey at the New School for... The post Persefoni Kaltaki on Learning, Changing and the Path Toward Practice first appeared on Max Karlin.

In this first episode of Becoming Existential, I’m joined by Dr. Kirk J. Schneider — psychologist, author, lecturer, and one of the most influential voices in contemporary existential–humanistic and existential–integrative psychology. Kirk has written more than a dozen books, including Life-Enhancing Anxiety and The Spirituality of Awe, and has devoted his career to bringing existential... The post The Gift of Presence with Dr. Kirk J. Schneider first appeared on Max Karlin.