Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy: An Existential Approach to Therapy and Counselling

by Emmy Van Deurzen

This book confronts the taboo of the psychotherapist?s personal history and emotions being involved in the therapeutic process. Emmy van Deurzen shows that therapists can draw on the full richness of their own experience in order to be truly credible and inspiring mentors to their clients. Paradox and dilemmas in human life?such as loneliness versus social integration, safety versus adventure, and confidence versus humility―are discussed clearly and directly, and related to a broad spectrum of questions that psychotherapists and their clients would do well to ask themselves. Throughout the book the author reveals her personal struggles with the same predicaments that her clients seek to understand and resolve. This process of disclosure, and the weaving of vivid client cases and issues together with more general philosophical issues, make this a practical and inspiring book that demonstrates the reality and passion of psychotherapy. "Passion and Paradox will become a classic celebration of the sheer power of existential thinking, living, being, and doing. Existentialism comes to bristling life as you walk with Professor van Deurzen through the world of psychotherapy, the world of psychotherapy professionalism, and the deeply personal world of the person who is a psychotherapist."
― Alvin R. Mahrer , PhD, author of The Complete Guide to Experiential Psychotherapy "Of the vast number of books written on psychotherapy this is one of the very few that are really worth reading. Emmy van Deurzen has the essential attributes of the truly gifted experience, intelligence, cultural breadth and?above all?the courage to strive after truth. There is much to be learned about psychotherapy and psychotherapists from what she has to say."
― David Smail , Nottingham, UK

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy

220 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 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

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways I feel unfair giving this only three stars, it was interrupted by my move so it is not as present in my mind as I wish it was. I really did enjoy Van Deurzen's perspectives, particularly the fact that she balances existential philosophy with a beautiful call for pragmatic happy living. Certainly worth the read if you are interested in existential psychotherapy. There was a particularly wonderful section focusing on therapy as a cultural byproduct and what it says about a society or culture that focuses heavily on this. I loved how Van Deurzen managed to allow existential therapy to be about exploring one's values and desires for a 'good' life.

[Kolya Kalinin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this book. Emmy Van Deurzen is a real person with an open heart who did a lot of work on herself before she started analyzing and structuring her knowledge and brought it to the world. She has come a long way from trying suicide in childhood to a person who loves life and helps others to love it.

The book contains autobiographical sketches, the comprehension of the thoughts of various philosophers and psychologists, real examples of therapy and even parables. At certain moments I was imbued with narration and experienced real inspiration, and sometimes fell into the abyss of anxiety.

With all due respect to this book, I will evaluate it in 4 stars. Because the size of the book should be two times smaller. I have a suspicion that the editor has overdone - in some places one and the same thesis appears in one paragraph.

In any case, I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the meaning of existential therapy and begin to understand themselves and the world a little more. It's really worth it.

[Michael D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing collection of essays and experiences. Pretty much everything I read by EVD blows me away and this is no exception.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although there are more rigorous treatments of the subject, the depth and care that Emmy writes with makes this worth reading, especially as a introduction.