Some recent studies in psychotherapy about our absent state

“A 2026 qualitative study titled "Beyond the Boundaries of the Psyche" examined psychologically traumatized individuals and found that recovery involved four key stages: existential alienation, interrogation of meaning, mental exploration, and post-traumatic growth—where trauma was ultimately transformed into an opportunity for growth. The study suggests that meaning-focused therapeutic approaches are essential for this transformation.

A 2025 article on logotherapy (developed by Viktor Frankl) explores how searching for meaning is a fundamental resource for trauma survivors. It highlights mechanisms like developing personal responsibility and changing one's attitude toward unalterable circumstances to overcome the "existential vacuum".

A 2026 systematic review found that creative arts therapies facilitate existential change through self-encounter, relational transformation, and horizon expansion. These approaches help renegotiate identity and meaning beyond symptom reduction.”