Which figure is most associated with existential counseling?

Viktor Frankl is most associated with existential counseling due to his foundational contributions to the field and his development of logotherapy, which emphasizes finding personal meaning in life as a core tenet of psychological well-being. Frankl believed that human beings are driven by a fundamental need to find meaning, even in the face of suffering or adversity. His experiences as a Holocaust survivor greatly influenced his perspective on the importance of meaning and purpose, which he believed could help individuals navigate through existential crises.

Existential counseling focuses on themes such as freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning, which are central to Frankl's work. His book "Man's Search for Meaning" outlines these principles and illustrates how meaning can be a crucial element in overcoming life’s challenges. Frankl’s ideas promote self-reflection and exploration of one’s values and beliefs, which are key components of existential therapy.

In contrast, while other figures such as Albert Ellis, Carl Rogers, and Sigmund Freud have made significant contributions to psychology, their approaches are more aligned with cognitive-behavioral therapy, humanistic psychology, and psychoanalysis, respectively, rather than the specific principles of existential counseling that define Frankl's work.