Existential Perspectives on Human Issues A Handbook for Therapeutic Practice

by van Deurzen, Emmy; Arnold-Baker, Claire

• ISBN13: 9780333987001
• ISBN10: 0333987004
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-08
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Existential Perspectives on Human Issues offers students, teachers and practitioners alike a definitive handbook for the practice of existential psychotherapy. Divided into four parts, the book presents different dimensions of living; physical, social, personal and spiritual. Each chapter gives a brief overview of the literature on the topic under discussion as well as a historical background. Theory and practice are addressed with case illustrations highlighting particular relevance. Critical considerations, possible drawbacks and research needs are additionally detailed and suggested further reading is given.

Author Biography

Emmy Van Deurzen is the founder and director of the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling. She is a chartered counselling psychologist and registered existential psychotherapist. She is past chair of the UKCP and of the Society for Existential Analysis, which she founded. She created Regent's College School of Psychotherapy and Counselling of which she was the Dean and where she was given a chair in psychotherapy and counselling. She is an honorary professor in psychotherapy with Schiller International University and Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation at the University of Sheffield. She has published widely on existential psychotherapy and counselling, including her recent books Everyday Mysteries (Routledge, 1997) and Paradox and Passion (Wiley, 1998). She currently serves as external relations officer to the European Association for Psychotherapy, and is past Chair of the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association (UPCA) and of the psychotherapy section of the British Psychological Society (BPS). She is a fellow both of the British Psychological Society and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Claire Arnold-Baker is the Course Co-ordinator of the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling. She is a visiting faculty member of Schiller International University and teaches the Introduction to Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling short course at the New School. She is also the Chair of the Education and Publications Committee of the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association (UPCA).

Table of Contents

Preface	x
Notes on Contributors	xii
Introduction	xviii
Emmy van Deurzen and Claire Arnold-Baker
PART I OVERVIEW	1	(24)
1 Philosophical Background	3	(12)
Emmy van Deurzen
2 Therapeutic Background	15	(12)
Mick Cooper
PART II PHYSICAL DIMENSION	25	(62)
3 Introduction to the Physical Dimension	27	(4)
Emmy van Deurzen and Claire Arnold-Baker
4 Procreation	31	(8)
Claire Arnold-Baker and Miriam Donaghy
5 Human Development	39	(9)
Steve Kirby
6 The Body and Sexuality	48	(10)
Paul Smith-Pickard and Richard Swynnerton
7 Eating Problems	58	(9)
Kirk J. Schneider and Zoe Fitzgerald-Pool
8 An Existential Perspective on Addiction	67	(11)
Simon du Plock and Jonathan Fisher
9 Death	78	(9)
Mick Cooper and Martin Adams
PART III SOCIAL DIMENSION	87	(68)
10 Introduction to the Social Dimension	89	(4)
Emmy van Deurzen and Claire Arnold-Baker
11 Language	93	(7)
Michael Harding
12 Dialogue and Communication	100	(10)
Lucia Moja-Strasser
13 Emotions	110	(11)
Emmy van Deurzen
14 Relationships	121	(12)
Digby Tantam and Emmy van Deurzen
15 Families	133	(10)
Naomi and Anthony Stadlen
16 Groups	143	(12)
Digby Tantam
PART IV PERSONAL DIMENSION	155	(60)
17 Introduction to the Personal Dimension	157	(3)
Emmy van Deurzen and Claire Arnold-Baker
18 The Self	160	(11)
Emmy van Deurzen and Claire Arnold-Baker
19 Authenticity and Inauthenticity	171	(9)
John Pollard
20 Anxiety and Engagement	180	(9)
Nick Kirkland-Handley and Diana Mitchell
21 Depression and Apathy	189	(8)
Claire Arnold-Baker
22 Bereavement and Loss	197	(10)
Greg Madison
23 Dreams	207	(8)
Sarah Young
PART V SPIRITUAL DIMENSION	215	(62)
24 Introduction to the Spiritual Dimension	217	(4)
Emmy van Deurzen and Claire Arnold-Baker
25 Interpretation: Explanation or Understanding?	221	(6)
Hans W. Cohn
26 Time and Purpose	227	(9)
Karen Weixel-Dixon and Freddie Strasser
27 Values and Beliefs	236	(9)
Bo Jacobsen
28 Political and Ideological Issues	245	(8)
Martin Milton
29 Meaning and Transformation	253	(12)
Myrtle Heery and James F.T. Bugental
30 A New Ideology	265	(12)
Emmy van Deurzen
Conclusion: Therapeutic Work on Four Dimensions	277	(26)
Emmy van Deurzen
Bibliography	303	(17)
Index	320