A key contribution of existential therapy is:

• A. The client-therapist relationship is based on the humanity of the individual and focuses on issues important to attaining life satisfaction
• B. A strict behavioral change protocol
• C. Diagnosing personality disorders
• D. Short-term symptom relief only

Answer: (A)

Existential therapy centers on human existence, emphasizing meaning, freedom, responsibility, and authenticity. In this approach, the therapy relationship is a genuine, collaborative encounter where the client’s humanity is respected, and the aim is to help the person live a more meaningful, satisfying life rather than simply eliminating symptoms. This description aligns with recognizing the client-therapist relationship as grounded in real humanity and focusing on issues that contribute to life satisfaction. The other options reflect approaches not central to existential work: a strict behavioral change protocol belongs to behavior-focused therapies, diagnosing personality disorders is a diagnostic/psychiatric task, and short-term symptom relief only misses the deeper exploration of meaning and authenticity that existential therapy pursues.