Transvestic fetishism affects a significant and seemingly exclusively male population. This lends credibility while legitimizing the study of such a disorder. The opportunity to study transvestic fetishism by applying an existential therapeutic approach provides a very specific and distinct occasion to deepen our knowledge of this therapeutic method with regards to what has been clinically classified as a sexual disorder, more specifically, a paraphilia.

A case study offers a forum where very particular, detailed and highly rich information can be gathered and analyzed. This can also provide insight into more generalizable knowledge of transvestic fetishism as a phenomenon. All the while a case study respects the individuality and uniqueness of a personal experience of human suffering. To do otherwise would lead to the objectification of this individual's being.

The literature presently exists that examines transvestic fetishism in its complexities and multifacetedness, however, an intense inquiry into the phenomenon while applying existential concepts and theory is not prevalent amongst present-day publications.

The specific aim of this report is to do a theoretical analysis of existentialism as it may pertain to paraphilias, more specifically transvestic fetishism, all the while accompanying an individual who suffers from a transvestic fetishism throughout his therapeutic journey as it pertains to the literature. This in hopes of acquiring important qualitative information and acknowledging existential psychotherapy as a viable alternative in treating clients with such transvestic fetishism and the like.

This report is to help further the learning and create a better awareness of transvestic fetishism through the eye of the existential therapeutic approach and more precisely, as a method of treatment.

This is in hopes that through existential therapy an individual suffering from transvestic fetishism will come to be with a better sense of self-awareness and inner truth as well as decrease the personal human suffering experienced by the subject.

To meet these objectives we shall conduct a literary investigation on related topics in general and on a more profound level we will look into how existential theories and concepts can be applied to transvestic fetishism. At every available opportunity the theory shall be compared with the personal experiences of an individual suffering from this paraphilia. The theoretical is to be exemplified through a practical reality of human existence.

Whenever possible the client's actual words, or a summary thereof, taken from one or several therapy sessions shall be quoted in order to demonstrate the therapeutic development towards change according to the theory discussed. When relevant an attempt shall be made to follow a chronological order so as to demonstrate a therapeutic process and progression. That is, personal examples taken from actual interviews will be used to illustrate the evolutionary process in the client's personal struggle towards a better sense of being and self-understanding.

Having been presented with the opportunity to accompany an individual who demonstration transvestic fetishistic behaviors in his therapeutic endeavors towards an inner personal growth I was taken by the person and his struggle. The depth of his hurt was moving, his experiences were fascinating and intriguing to the extent that I was inspired to want to pursue a very in depth investigation into the phenomenon of transvestic fetishism.

Nonetheless, there are obvious limits to such a report, at least in the grandeur scheme of things. That is to say, since this study revolves around only one subject, it becomes difficult to generalize the data or its analysis to a larger population. With such a limited number of subjects it is not accurate or justified to make broad statement that necessarily include other individuals suffering from transvestic fetishism.

Also, among the limitations of such a report is the lack of pre and post testing. When using a therapeutic approach such as existentialism, which does not abide by any hard and fast rules or techniques, specific quantitative data cannot be gathered. The analysis and observations remain at a qualitative level (which to some may be an advantage rather than a disadvantage due to the quality and nature of the data).

It is also necessary to admit that any form of therapeutic progress noticed in the subject by the subject and/or therapist need not be a result of either the therapist's great expertise, experience or brilliant interventions. Any change felt throughout therapy may simply be a result of the passing of time, life events, the season, or any other situational occurrences (as humbling as this truth may be).