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Anyone interested in modern philosophy is familiar with the name of Martin Heidegger, but there is a serious gap in even the most complete accounts of his life and thought. This is Heidegger s association with, and influence on, the discipline of psychotherapy. Late in life, Heidegger became engaged as a lecturer and consultant in a project that led to the establishment of one of the first schools of existential psychotherapy Daseinsanalyse. Much of this work emerged in the vital but little discussed Zollikoner Seminare. Hans W. Cohn explores the role of Heidegger s thought in providing an alternative basis for psychotherapeutic practice to the dominant psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive approaches. Cohn also focuses strongly on the practical therapeutic relevance of Heidegger s ideas. This book will be essential reading for students and teachers of modern philosophy, as well as existential psychotherapists and all practitioners interested in existential approaches to therapy. ... Read more

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Existential Psychology and Sport presents a radical alternative to the cognitive-behavioral approaches that currently dominate sport psychology.

The book reveals how an existential perspective, with its focus on larger questions of meaning, choice and responsibility, can be used to help athletes towards career-long personal and performance development. For sport psychologists, this involves going beyond skills training to engage more fully with athletes as individuals, directly supporting them in their search for success and fulfillment through competitive sport. The book covers:

DT the characteristics and principles of existential psychology
DT phenomenology and research in sport
DT the existential-phenomenological approach to anxiety
DT existential counseling in sport psychology
DT an existential approach to working with elite sports performers
DT existentialism, ethics and practice in sport psychology
DT real-life case studies involving sports performers in a variety of settings

Existential Psychology and Sport provides a new framework for understanding applied practice in sport psychology, and is essential reading for both students and practitioners. ... Read more

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Examines the psychological nature of non-mental illness and its effect on our "being-in-in-the-world". The author argues that the traditional cause-and-effect approach to illness ignores the patient's long term psychological needs or changes. ... Read more

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The theoretical framework used by many counsellors and psychotherapists is predominantly `psychodynamic', rooted in psychoanalytic theory and frequently felt to be inadequate for an understanding of the many-shaded spectrum of disturbances experienced by clients within themselves and in their relations to others. Although many practitioners have discovered existential-phenomenological thought, they may wonder what relevance these philosophical ideas have to their actual practice, to their day-to-day meetings with clients and to the relation between client and therapist. There is often a divide between thought and practice, and this book bridges that gap.

The author introduces the history and ideas of existential phenomenology and existential psychotherapy, and shows how therapeutic phenomena familiar to all therapists and counsellors can be understood from an existential viewpoint. Hans W Cohn also demonstrates how the existential approach opens up access to issues that other therapeutic orientations have neglected, such as the difficulty of choice, the burden of responsibility and the inevitability of death.

Existential Thought and Therapeutic Practice is clearly written and jargon-free. The existential approach is constantly compared to the relevant psychodynamic counterpart, so that readers can assess the unfamiliar against a background of the more familiar. The book will be of interest to trainee and practising therapists and counsellors, and to anyone concerned with new approaches in philosophy and psychotherapy.

Customer Reviews (1)

Compassion and Sensibility
I was asked to read this book as part of my training program as an art therapist a few years ago and I fell in love with it. It's as relevant to me today, as I am making my first steps in the field. It focusses on theexistential angle of art therapy and is full of dialogues with patients andstudy cases , brought in an informal way.Mr. Moon is first and foremostan equal human being and only then an art therapist. He includes referenceto his own journey as reflected through his own creative process. I willend with a quote: "Creation does not ease but rather ennobles thepain." ... Read more

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This book provides a refreshing approach to clinical intervention for use with clients who experience a variety of emotional problems related to their biology, psychology, social life, and meaning and purpose issues. The book focuses on the realities of short-term intervention and the effects limited contact between clients and treatment providers has on successful intervention. ... Read more

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Although it is a natural and inescapable part of life, death is a subject that is often neglected in psychotherapeutic literature and training. In When Death Enters the Therapeutic Space Laura Barnett and her contributors offer us insights into working with mortality in the therapeutic encounter.

Taking an existential perspective, the book brings together a variety of client groups, all of whom have experienced a confrontation with mortality, and encourages the reader to engage with and reflect upon the subject of death. Although this may initially evoke anxiety and distress, Barnett and her contributors introduce the reader to the 'vitality of death' (Koestenbaum): an energy and focus that can come from confronting our greatest fears and anxieties, including the anxiety aroused by our own mortality. Topics covered include:

• philosophical roots and principal approaches to existential therapy
• health related issues including cancer, HIV and Intensive Care
• surviving violent trauma
• creating a safe space for the client
• short prognosis and palliative care
• bereavement.

When Death Enters the Therapeutic Space presents therapists with an understanding of what it means to experience such traumas and prepares them for helping the client. It will be useful for trainee counsellors and experienced therapists alike.

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Phenomenological psychology is now recognized as one of the major systems in psychology. However, its roots in the sometimes difficult and obscure writings of phenomenological and existential philosophy have led to confusion about its concerns and direction. The Interpreted World remedies this situation. It offers a lucid and accessible account of the philosophical origins of phenomenological theory as well as introducing the phenomenological perspective on key issues in psychology.

Spinelli describes the development and principal tenets of phenomenology and outlines the aims and practice of the phenomenological method. He then presents the position of phenomenological psychology on the central topics of perception, social cognition and the self. The profound implications of phenomenology for the precepts and process of psychotherapy are also explored.

Finally, the author addresses the relationship between phenomenological psychology and other major contemporary approaches within psychology, clarifying points of divergence from, and potential convergence with, these other systems. He dispels some of the false assumptions that have arisen, for example, over its stance on experimental investigation.

This invaluable text demystifies an exciting and important approach in psychology, making its insights available to all students in psychology, psychotherapy and counselling.

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Swiss psychiatrist Medard Boss interprets Heidegger's only recurring dream and discusses Heidegger's many visits to Zurich to teach Boss' psychiatry students. This is followed by eight other contributions by noted Heidegger scholars and a bibliography on Heidegger and the behavioural sciences. ... Read more

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Maurice Merleau-Ponty was the leading 20th century existential phenomenologist most deeply engaged in psychology and psychoanalysis. Not only do a majority of his published works deal with topics of relevance to psychology and psychiatry, but he was also involved in concrete psychological research. This volume, first published in 1982 and out of print for a few years, is now being reissued by Humanities Press. It contains the first English translation of Merleau-Ponty's lecture course, "The Experience of Others", and his important preface, "Phenomenology and Psychoanalysis", which has long been out of print. It also includes first translations of articles by the French psychoanalysts Jacques Lacan and J.B. Pontalis, and original essays by nine other Merleau-Ponty scholars. ... Read more

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Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy promises to be a landmark in the fields of psychotherapeutic theory and practice. A comprehensive revision of its predecessor, The Psychology of Existence, co-edited by Kirk Schneider and Rollo May, Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy combines clear and updated guidelines for practice with vivid and timely case vignettes. These vignettes feature the very latest in both mainstream and existential therapeutic integrative application, by the top innovators in the field. The book highlights several notable dimensions: a novel and comprehensive theory of integrative existential practice; a premium on mainstream integrations of existential theory as well as existential-humanistic integrations of mainstream theory; a focus on integrative mainstream as well as existential-humanistic practitioners, students, and theorists; a discussion of short-term and cognitive-behavioral existential-integrative strategies; a focus on ethnic and diagnostic diversity, from case studies of multicultural populations to vignettes on gender, sexuality, and power, and from contributions to the treatment of alcoholism to those elucidating religiosity, psychoses, and intersubjectivity.

Customer Reviews (1)

Best presentation of current efforts.
The leading international practitioners of existential-humanistic therapy have chapters in this book. Kirk Schneider provides the most detailed description of the psychological and philosphical foundations of this work. Each case demonstrates both the influence of this foundation and the power of its application. Schneider's well articulated position reflects a resurgence in interest in "humanizing" psychotherapy. ... Read more

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The Dictionary of Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling is a comprehensive lexicon of existential terms, their meaning and application. With over 350 entries

(cross-referenced throughout), the book is the ideal companion to studying the the ideas of existential pioneers, such as Kierkegaard, Heidegger and Sartre.

Drawing on their experience as existential practitioners, Emmy van Deurzen and Raymond Kenward achieve the difficult task of making complex philosophical concepts accessible and practically relevant. Through the use of illustrative quotations and examples, they translate existential terminology into everyday language and show how the ideas are employed in practice. They also examine associated themes such as sexuality and religion and appraise the main strengths, weaknesses and limits of the existential approach.

The Dictionary of Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling will be invaluable to all trainees and practitioners of the existential approach and to all counsellors and psychotherapists who recognise the centrality of philosophical concepts to their practice.

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This book provides an in-depth introduction to existential psychotherapy. Presenting a philosophical alternative to other forms of psychological treatment, it emphasises the problems of living and the human dilemmas that are often neglected by practitioners who focus on personal psychopathology.

Emmy van Deurzen defines the philosophical ideas that underpin existential psychotherapy, summarising the contributions made by Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Sartre among others. She proposes a systemic and practical method of existential psychotherapy, illustrated with detailed case material. This expanded and updated second edition includes new chapters on the contributions of Max Scheler, Albert Camus, Gabriel Marcel and Emmanuel Levinas, as well as on feminist contributors such as Simone de Beauvoir and Hannah Arendt. In addition a new extended case discussion illustrates the approach in practice.

Everyday Mysteries offers a fresh perspective for anyone training in psychotherapy, counselling, psychology or psychiatry. Those already established in practice will find this a stimulating source of ideas about everyday life and the mysteries of human experience, which will throw new light on old issues.

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Everyday Mysteries provides an in-depth introduction to existential psychotherapy. Presenting a philosophical alternative to established forms of psychological treatment, it emphasizes the problems of living and the human dilemmas which are often neglected by practitioners who focus on personal psychopathology.

Emmy van Deurzen-Smith defines the philosophical ideas that underpin existential psychotherapy, summarizing the contributions made by Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Sartre among others. She offers a systematic and practical method of existential psychotherapy, illustrated with detailed case material. Everyday Mysteries offers a fresh perspective for anyone training in psychotherapy, counselling and psychoanalysis. Those already established in practice will find this a stimulating source of ideas about everyday life and the mysteries of human experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Foundations of Existential Psychotherapy
Everyday Mysteries: Existential Dimensions of Psychotherapy accomplishes several goals of giving one the general theoretical orientation to existential psychotherapy and its influence by the works of phenomenologist and existential philosophers like Kierkegaard, Jaspers, Sarre, Buber and Nietzsche. The author does a good job of relating their ideas to the development of existential psychotherapy and in summarizing the work of well known modern existential therapists like Boss, Binswangert, Yonkin and May.This is a hard book to read if one has no currency in these works and this one volume cannot do that.Still those who stay with the writer may find themselves turning to other easier works (Existence: a new dimension in psychiatry and psychology, May, Rollo, Angel, Ernest, Ellenberger, Henri F.) to broaden their view of their work and clients.All will enjoy authors' advice to therapists about setting up a practice and the detailed case study where Emmy reveals her talent and self examination as the therapist.

Existential therapy addresses the loss of meaning in life --a far different wording of problems than what we see in our offices, which are often couched in the "practical" issues of marriage or work,and inconvenience such as phobias.Existentialism is not well accepted or understood in this country whose roots and main values of capitalism and self reliance are so different from those of European countries in which this philosophy was inspired following rapid social change and world wars. We suffer the same loss of meaning as others in the world but it has not led to a philosophy and therapy except in the works of Rollo May, James Bugenthal and Irvin Yonken.Even these Emmy feels have moved more toward Humanistic oriented psychology.

Emmy van Deursen-Smith is very well qualified to write about this subject having earned a master's degree in Moral and Political Philosophy before studying psychology.She founded the Society for Existential Analysis or SEA(1988) and the International Collaborative for Existential Counselors and Psychotherapists (ICECAP)and created the two of the most important training institutes for the approach at the London School (Regent's College) and The New School of Psychotherapy and Counseling: the latter being a purely existentially-based training institute offering graduate and postgraduate degrees.She helped found the International Journal Existential Analysis.

Existential Psychotherapy
This book is a rich compendium of the philosophical underpinnings of existential psychotherapy.The author has invested her career in a branch of psychotherapy that is most relevant to modern man's search for meaning, but which has suffered unfairly for lack of experimental results.She has founded the "London School" at Regent's College of a discipline that has a deep philosophical tradition, much of which has unfortunately been "lost in translation" to psychotherapeutic practice.

She has crystallized into concise chapters the seminal works in pure philosophy by Husserl, Heidegger and Sartre, as well as those of a more psychological bent by Jaspers and Lacan.Her clear understanding and genuine belief in the basic existential situation that must be confronted in abnormal treatment as well as normal life as "everyday mysteries" comes through in her interpretations of otherwise impenetrable originals.

I would suggest this as required reading before diving into more formal treatises and case studies such as Yalom's "Existential Psychotherapy".The bibiliography is also a gold mine for key philosophical references, from which she has picked some of the most memorable and useful passages.

for those who find other therapies unsatisfying
The author makes it clear that she values rationality, but longs for a depth of orientation that does justice to the world we find ourselves occupying.

Thus she finds the Jungian approach too magical/mystical, and the cognitive approach too narrow.

She reveals the inconsistencies inherent in all forms of psychotherapy, and offers this approach as at least potentially helpful.

It is good to discover a sincere and honest analyst of this rather odd circumstance in which individuals-in-distress turn to "experts" for help.

A realistic hope, however limited, is much more valuable to me than all the soaring unrealistic hope ususally offered.

Strong and Simple
Van Deurzen provides a strong and well-reasoned overview of thinkers who have inspired existential psychotherapy.Helpful and intelligent. ... Read more