Finding Meaning in Mortality: Yalom’s Existential Therapy with Ali Ilyas (Clinical Psychologist)

Behind the Stigma

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In this week's episode, my guest & clinical psychologist Ali Ilyas, explores the impact and work of existential psychiatrist, Dr. Irvin Yalom.
We dive into core themes like: mortality, meaning, death anxiety, and the unique dynamics of the therapist-client relationship, such as transference and countertransference. Ali shares how Yalom's teachings have shaped his personal journey and therapeutic practice, while also discussing the importance of reflecting on death, finding balance between life and death anxiety, and how existential therapy can offer deep insights for those struggling with life's big questions.

About Muhammad Ali Ilyas
Ali is a clinical psychologist residing in Dubai, UAE. In his psychotherapy work, Ali guides clients on their journey of self-discovery and helps them navigate existential challenges, using philosophical and psychological perspectives. He has spoken at platforms such as TEDx events, literary festivals, and podcasts to name a few. Ali is also a neuromarketing consultant, and corporate trainer applying interdisciplinary insights from psychology and related fields to help individuals and organizations achieve their goals and find meaning in their lives.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliilyasm/
Website: https://www.connectpsychology.ae/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepersonandthecouch/

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1. Finding Meaning in Mortality: Yalom’s Existential Therapy with Ali Ilyas (Clinical Psychologist) (00:00:00)

2. Who was Dr. Irvin Yalom (00:02:29)

3. Existential therapy as a school of thought (00:06:14)

4. How Yalom taught him as a therapist (00:09:29)

5. Transference vs Counterstransference (00:11:04)

6. How to be relational as a therapist (00:13:28)

7. How Yalom writes (00:23:50)

8. What is death anxiety? (00:31:11)

9. Exercise on death anxiety (00:35:13)

10. Living a life of meaning (00:41:39)

11. The importance of talking about death (00:47:37)

12. What Yalom has taught Ali in his personal life (00:55:53)