Van Deurzen uses Heidegger's concept of temporality: the human being exists at the same time in three temporal horizons (past–present–future), and each of them shapes the experience of life. Clients often "get stuck" in one time: in the past (depression, guilt), in the future (anxiety), or avoid the present. The aim is to restore a full three-dimensional existence in time as a single life story.
Step-by-step guide
- Inquire in which time the client "lives" predominantly: past, present, or future?
- Inquire into the past: what is the client carrying with them? What was there? What of it still shapes their life?
- Inquire into the present: how does the client experience "now"? Are they present in their own life?
- Inquire into the future: how does it appear to them? What is possible? What frightens them in it?
- Help to find the link between the three times as a single life story — not a fragmented one, but a coherent one
When to use
- In depression — getting stuck in the past, guilt, rumination
- In anxiety — getting stuck in the future, avoiding the present
- With a sense of meaninglessness — the absence of an image of the future
- When working with grief and loss
- When the client "lives" in memories or constantly worries about the future
Key phrases
When you think about the past — what do you carry with you from there? And how does it influence the way you live now?
Follow-up questions
How do you experience what is happening right now — are you here?
When you look into the future — what do you see? What is possible for you?
If your past, present, and future could speak — what would they argue about?
Alternative phrasings
Where do you live the most — in memory, in plans, or in what is now?
Warnings
- ⚠️ Do not turn the work with time into an exercise in "positive thinking" about the future
- ⚠️ The aim is not to make the client "think optimistically" but to restore access to all three horizons as real parts of life
- ⚠️ Getting stuck in the past first requires acknowledgment of the experience, not an immediate "switch" to the present
Source: van Deurzen E. 1997, 2002, 2012; Heidegger via van Deurzen
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.