ABSTRACT

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.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

part |2 pages

Part I Philosophical underpinnings

chapter 11|15 pages

Other philosophical contributions

chapter 12|9 pages

Female and feminist contributions

part |2 pages

Part II Existential dimensions: A map of the world

part |2 pages

Part III New foundations for psychotherapy

chapter 23|6 pages

Medard Boss (1903–1990): Daseinsanalysis

part |2 pages

Part IV Parameters of existential psychotherapy

chapter 30|14 pages

Objectives of the existential project

chapter 31|14 pages

Ground rules of existential work

chapter 32|18 pages

Consciousness and the unknown

chapter 33|14 pages

Therapeutic dialogue

chapter 34|20 pages

The dynamic, multiple and changing self

part |2 pages

Part V Illustration

chapter 35|24 pages

A case study: Rita’s grief

chapter 36|5 pages

Conclusions