Tue
14
Jul 2026
Webinar · 10:00 – 12:00 BST · Online · Zoom
Postmodern Playfulness: philosophical reflection and therapy
Book — £18 / £12 members 80 places
The Society for Existential Analysis · Founded 1988
The professional body for existential psychotherapy in the United Kingdom.
A practice, a tradition, and a community of therapists working with what it means to be human — anxiety, freedom, meaning, mortality. We accredit, publish, convene, and connect people to practitioners.
Existential therapy is a philosophical approach to psychotherapy. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, it works with the situations, relationships and limits that shape a life — and with the questions a person is already, often quietly, asking of themselves.
The tradition draws on phenomenology and the work of Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, de Beauvoir and others — adapted, in the consulting room, into a careful and curious way of meeting another person.
A primer on the approachFind a therapist.
Every listed therapist is an accredited member of the Society and works within the existential tradition. Most are also registered with the UKCP or BPS.
Next event · in 36 days
Current issue · published last week
VOL. 36 · NO. 2
Existential Analysis · 36(2) · Jul 2025
On grief, time and the limits of language
- — Adesina, O. · Mourning as a mode of attention
- — Bardwell, J. · The unsayable in clinical practice
- — Kosch, M. · Heidegger contra the manualised therapy
- + four further papers, two book reviews
Read this issue Members read free · archive from Vol. 1
The Society is its members.
Founded in 1988, the SEA brings together therapists, supervisors, trainers, scholars and students working in the existential and phenomenological traditions. Members elect the executive committee and shape the Society’s programme and journal.
~700 members · UK registered charity · No. 1039274
- 01Existential Analysis
The peer-reviewed journal, twice a year online — plus the full archive.
- 02A listing in the register
Accredited members appear in the public Find a therapist directory.
- 03Member rates on every event
Webinars, reading groups, the annual conference — typically 30–40% off.
- 04A vote and a voice
Elect the committee, propose motions, contribute to the journal and the Hermeneutic Circular.