Skills in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy

This is the first practical introduction to a skills-based Existential approach. Accessible for those without a philosophical background, it describes the concrete and tangible skills, tasks and interactions of Existential practice. It covers:

- Theoretical background and history of Existential Therapy
- Phenomenological practice - the centre of Existential Therapy
- Necessary characteristics of the Existential therapist
- Qualities of good living
- The process of therapy and the nature of change
- Misconceptions about the Existential approach.

A much needed resource for those beginning their training as well as more experienced practitioners keen to expand their knowledge, the authors make the Existential approach accessible to all those who wish to find out what it has to offer.

Sommario

THE FRAMEWORK OF EXISTENTIAL THERAPY
Theoretical Background and History
Introducing Existential Therapy
What do we mean by 'Philosophical'?
What do we mean by 'Existential'?
Some of the Major Existential Philosophers
The Philosophical Aims of Existential Therapy
Limits of Human Living: The Givens of Existence
Four Dimensions of Existence
Physical Dimension
Social Dimension
Personal Dimension
Spiritual Dimension
An Existential View on Religion
Living in Time
Anxiety and the Givens of Existence
Living with Paradox
Paradoxes of Human Existence
The Mind and the Body
THE PERSON OF THE THERAPIST
Who are you?
The Use of Life Experience to Reflect on Life and its Meanings
Being-with: Reciprocity and Collaboration
The Personal and the Political
Capacity for Self-reliance and Individuality
Humour
Transparency and Wisdom
Who are you as a therapist?
Surviving as an Existential Psychotherapist
The Importance of Personal Therapy in your Training
How to use Supervision?
WORKING PHENOMENOLOGICALLY: THE CENTRE OF EXISTENTIAL THERAPY
Phenomenology: Assumptions, Biases, Blind spots and the Worldview
The Assumptions of Existential Therapy
Questioning Assumptions
Working Phenomenologically
Attention
Becoming Aware of Assumptions
Before the Session
During the Session
How do you spot your own biases and assumptions?
Description
Equalisation
Horizontalising
Verification and Interpretation
Getting a Wider Perspective on Life
DEVELOPING AN EXISTENTIAL ATTITUDE
Openness to Experience
Openness to Silence
Boundaries and Consistency
Mutuality and Dialogue
Monologue
Duologue
Dialogue
Self Disclosure
Directiveness, Directness and Direction
FROM THEORY INTO PRACTICE
Expression and Self Expression: the Paradox of the Self
Identifying Themes and Issues
Working with Themes and Issues
Identifying Values and Beliefs
Working with the Client's Value System
Emotions as a Compass
Working with Moods and Emotions
Thinking and Feeling
Awareness of your Client's Emotional Vocabulary
Emotions and Phenomenology
Tracing Emotions back to Dilemmas
Choice and Responsibility
Working with Choice and Responsibility
Anxiety: Authenticity, Guilt and Bad Faith
Working with Authenticity and Inauthenticity
Working with Dreams and the Imagination
WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO THE CLIENT
Some First Principles
Dilemmas, Conflicts and Tensions
The Physical Dimension.
Coming Face to Face with Life and Death - the Reality of Change and Loss
The Social Dimension.
Isolation and Connectedness: relationships.
Different Layers of Social Relationship.
Trust and Control
Competitiveness and Objectification
The Personal Dimension.
Freedom and a Personal Sense of Integrity - Life Patterns and the Original Project
Original Project
The Spiritual Dimension.
Consistency of Values, Beliefs and Principles
Paradox and Dilemma
Faith, Crisis and Trauma
THE PROCESS OF EXISTENTIAL THERAPY
Existential Therapy as Storytelling
Meeting, Assessment and Diagnosis
Note taking
The Context and Frame of Therapy
The First Session and the Contract
Length of the Contract
Fees
The Beginning and End of Sessions.
Working Through, Reluctance and Resistance
Endings and Termination
Therapy as a Learning Process
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER - SUMMING UP
Summarising the Philosophical Basis of Existential Practice
Summarising the Principles of Existential Practice
Developing a Personal Style

Info autore

Principal, New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, London

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Martin Adams, Martin Van Deurzen Adams, Martin/ Van Deurzen Adams, Emmy van Deurzen
• Editore: Sage Publications Ltd
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Copertina rigida
• Pubblicazione: 11.11.2010
• EAN: 9781412947794
• ISBN: 978-1-4129-4779-4
• Pagine: 176
• Categoria: Saggistica > Psicologia, esoterismo, spiritualità, antroposofia > Psicologia applicata