ABSTRACT
In order to consider existential coaching supervision, it is important to understand some of the key elements within existential philosophy. This chapter provides an introduction to existentialism, considering its philosophical origins, and the ways in which it is now being applied practically. The chapter gives a number of ‘existential given’ which cannot be ignored in coaching work and for which the supervisor will be alert in considering the work of the supervisee. These include the importance of relatedness, time and temporality, authenticity and trust, uncertainty, freedom and responsibility, meaning-making, values and beliefs, and the paradoxical nature of existence.
