Much ado about nothing: Applying Lacan's philosophy in work with anxious clients

Abstract

Existential-humanistic counselors attend to the deeper meanings of the anxious client's experience. The author proposes Lacan's psychoanalytic theory as an integrative, humanistic approach that connects the intrapsychic, interpersonal, and developmental aspects of anxious experience. Anxiety is discussed in terms of the client's gap, lack, nothing, or breathing room, the expectations or desires of other people, and the client's disrupted sense of self. Following an application of the approach with a case example, implications for practice and research are provided.