The Art of Existential Counseling

by Adrian van Kaam

PB 1966 paperback. Tight binding, some cover and edgewear wear. Owner's address crossed out. Some underlining found, still good reading copy. amz-hf

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

205 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Jason Dias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Van Kaam is beloved... in quite small circles. His writing is maybe the tiniest bit dated as well as out of print but, when you love it, you love it.

This book is not religious in nature but associated with counseling and psychotherapy. It makes a case for carefully protecting the agency of our patients and clients. In today's results-oriented settings, the ideas in this work might seem like anathema. We are challenged to slow down, and to re-examine what "results" means.

Maybe I can make my patients "better". But what does that mean, and who decides? Without extreme care, I trample the freedom of the client.

If you can get a copy, I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has even fractional power over others.

[Patrick Bouchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good ideas

However I disagree with the publisher noted that is it clear. Sometimes the writer has word salads. I think he there are really one one liners and some good concepts. Honestly pick and choose what you read from this book. I think if you want to look for how to encounter the human person within a counseling setting, just read a JP2 homily instead of this.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many sound principles which are echoed by current speakers of today, like Brene Brown. It’s a good portrait of human maturity and how psychotherapy can help one achieve it. The chapter on therapeutic attitudes is a good examination for all in service ministry.