Existential Counselling & Psychotherapy in Practice

by Emmy Van Deurzen

Offering a concrete framework and practical methods for working from an existential perspective, the bestselling Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy in Practice is now in its Third Edition.

Central to the book is the belief that many of our problems arise out of the essential paradoxes of human existence, rather than from personal pathology. From this perspective, the purpose of counseling and psychotherapy is not viewed as problem-solving, but as a mean of enabling people to come to terms with living life as it is, with all its inherent contradictions.

Emmy van Deurzen, a leading existential philosopher and therapist, presents a practical method of working, using systematic observation, clarification and reflection to help clients rediscover their inner strengths. She shows how personal assumptions, values and talents, once acknowledged, can be turned to constructive use. Using wide-ranging case examples, the author also demonstrates the effectiveness of the existential approach in many different situations - from crisis work to dealing with chronic unhappiness.

The existential approach is a well-respected form of psychotherapy, but most writing on the subject tends to be heavily theoretical. This book offers a practical and accessible alternative, which will be invaluable to those in training as well as to more experienced practitioners.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction, Philosophy

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Emmy van Deurzen (born 13 December 1951 in The Hague, Netherlands) is an existential therapist and honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield.

After moving to the UK in 1977 to work with anti-psychiatrists, she founded the Society for Existential Analysis in 1988, and later created a London-based training institute for the Lapproach at Regent's College in 1985, before leaving to found The New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in 1996 at Schiller International University. In 2010 The New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling became independent and is now situated in South Hampstead, London.

Her therapy work is based in existential philosophy, as a form of philosophical counseling, and focuses on enabling people to reflect on their lives with equal attention to past, present and future in order to draw on their strengths, talents and abilities, whilst facing up to the limitations of life.
- Wikipedia

Reviews

[risko.tainas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slightly more systematic approach to existential therapy than Yalom's "Existential Psychotherapy", which is the one I read first. This one throws a few more pie charts and tables into the mix as well as introducing the four additional dimensions of human existence: physical, social, personal and spiritual. All of these can be measured against Yalom's four primary concerns: death, loneliness, freedom and meaninglessness. For such a potentially dense subject, the book is concise and straight to the point. Yalom is more philosophically inclined and spends much more time referencing and exploring the philosophical ideas behind existential therapy, from the Stoics to the existentialists. While these roots are also mentioned in this volume, the primary focus is still on practical application of such philosophical insights onto real life patients. Very interesting read and the 3rd edition also contains a nice further reading section.

[Kaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all those studying to be a therapist/counsellor, you won't be able to put this book down. Loved it.

[Fabian]

Jättegivande bok! Pedagogisk och intressant, håller inte med om allt men lärt mig mycket! Kommer nog kunna plocka upp och använda i framtiden.

[Jewelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a therapist, but I've been considering going back to school to become one. This book paired well with the existential philosophy I was reading around the same time, and applying existential principles and ideas to therapy is a very interesting idea. I particularly liked the ideas of emotions being related to values and assumptions, which was helpful for me to understand in my own journey with therapy. I'm glad I happened upon this book randomly in a used English bookstore in Korea.

[Michael D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure trove for aspiring counsellors and those curious about the philosophy and practical application of existentialism. Van Deurzen writes incredibly well in a down-to-earth but not dumbed down way and I will reread this one many times, I have no doubt.

[Alchemy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read on existential psychotherapy. Its main asset for me is its practical connotations, since there is not much bibliography in the field with an emphasis on applied existential psychotherapy.
At times though I found it unnecessarily loquacious and repetitive.

[Ali Najafiyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

تاثیر گذار اما نه چندان و در راستای عنوان در عمل

[L.J. Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look into applying existential philosophy to therapy.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the most current edition of this. It is excellent, lots of philosophy to ground it along with actionable approaches to use with clients.

[Alex D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for anyone interested on applying existential philosophy in therapeutic practice. An invaluable source in my personal library.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for those interested in existential practice.

[Carolina Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great source of knowledge. Highly recommended. Kind of sad (or something alike, like pity, I guess) for finishing this reading.

[Leela Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fantastically well written. Even if you don't have a background in philosophy you will be able to grasp the philosophical themes since they are applied to situations we can all relate to.