Existential-Humanistic Therapy

by Kirk J. Schneider, Orah T. Krug

Overview

This second edition provides an updated introduction to the theory, history, research, and practice of existential-humanistic therapy, which merges existential philosophy with humanistic psychotherapy, along with recent trends in existential-integrative therapy.

Existential-humanistic therapy melds European existential philosophy, which values self-inquiry, struggle, and responsibility, with the American tradition of spontaneity, optimism, and practicality. In this updated edition of their popular book, Kirk Schneider and Orah Krug demonstrate how this unique approach can help clients free themselves from self-imposed limitations and develop a deeper understanding of their authentic life goals by cultivating skills such as experiential reflection.
 
Schneider and Krug explore existential-humanistic therapy’s theoretical and historical underpinnings, its empirical foundations, the therapeutic process and mechanisms of change, as well as future developments. Detailed case examples vividly illustrate the work of existential-humanistic therapy, highlighting key takeaways that are equally accessible and valuable to graduate students and veteran practitioners.
 
New to this second edition is an increased focus on a more integrative perspective, which makes existential-humanistic therapy applicable to a wider array of settings and diagnostic populations. This flexibility also makes it more adaptable to other therapeutic approaches and expands its influence on clinical psychology as a whole.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433827372
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	06/19/2017
Series:	Theories of Psychotherapy Series®
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Kirk J. Schneider, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and leading spokesperson for contemporary existential–humanistic psychology. Dr. Schneider is past president (2015–2016) of APA Division 32 (Society for Humanistic Psychology); past editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology (2005–2012); president-elect of the Existential–Humanistic Institute; and adjunct faculty at Saybrook University and Teachers College, Columbia University. A Fellow of APA, Dr. Schneider has published more than 100 articles and chapters and has authored or edited 11 books. These books include The Paradoxical Self, Horror and the Holy, The Psychology of Existence (with Rollo May), Rediscovery of Awe, Existential–Integrative Psychotherapy, Humanity's Dark Side: Evil, Destructive Experience, and Psychotherapy (with Art Bohart, Barbara Held, and Ed Mendelowitz), Awakening to Awe, The Polarized Mind, and Supervision Essentials for Existential–Humanistic Therapy (with Orah Krug). The Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy (with Emmy van Deurzen et al.) and The Spirituality of Awe: Challenges to the Robotic Revolution are in preparation. Dr. Schneider is the recipient of the Rollo May Award from APA Division 32 for "outstanding and independent pursuit of new frontiers in humanistic psychology"; the Cultural Innovator award from The Living Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a psychotherapy training center that bases its diploma on Schneider's existential–integrative model of therapy; and an honorary diploma/membership from the Society for Existential Analysis of the United Kingdom and the East European Association of Existential Therapy.

Orah T. Krug, PhD, is a licensed psychotherapist with a private practice in Oakland, California. She is the clinical training director of the Existential–Humanistic Institute of San Francisco and teaches at Saybrook Graduate School. Dr. Krug received her doctorate from Saybrook Graduate School, where she was awarded the Rollo May Scholarship for an essay comparing the theoretical approaches of her two mentors, James Bugental and Irvin Yalom. She has produced two videos, Conversations With Jim and "Joe": A Demonstration of the Consultation Process, with James Bugental. Her current research focuses on the relationship between the cultivation of intra- and interpersonal presence and the contextual factors of therapy associated with therapeutic change. Her article in the Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy, "James Bugental and Irvin Yalom: Two Masters of Existential Therapy Cultivate Presence in the Therapeutic Encounter", began an exploration of this research.

Table of Contents

Series Preface ix

How to Use This Book With APA Psychotherapy Videos xiii

1 Introduction 3

2 History 7

3 Theory 15

4 Therapy Process 37

5 Evaluation 97

6 Future Developments 109

7 Summary 115

Appendix A Short-Term Case 2: Hamilton 121

Appendix B Phases of Change in a Typical Long-Term Existential Therapy 127

Appendix C Long-Term Case 2: Claudia 131

Appendix D Summary of Experiential Stances of the Existential-Integrative Model 145

Glossary of Key Terms 149

Suggested Readings and Resources 155

References 157

Index 173

About the Authors 185

About the Series Editors 187

What People are Saying About This

George Stricker

Schneider and Krug are renowned scholars and practitioners of existential–humanistic therapy. Not only does this volume clearly explain the theory and practice of existential–humanistic therapy, it is also a clear example of psychotherapy integration at its best.

Editorial Reviews

Schneider and Krug are renowned scholars and practitioners of existential–humanistic therapy. Not only does this volume clearly explain the theory and practice of existential–humanistic therapy, it is also a clear example of psychotherapy integration at its best.

George Stricker

Provides a clear, concise, and comprehensive overview of the primary American approach to therapy in the existentialist tradition. The introduction, history, and theory sections provide a basic overview that situates this tradition of therapy in a body of work that emerged in the early 1960s, and that has developed into an integrationist orientation that, while founded on existential and humanistic principles, has the theoretical openness and flexibility to incorporate a wide range of empirically based techniques within its applications to therapeutic practice.

PsycCRITIQUES

Provides a clear, concise, and comprehensive overview of the primary American approach to therapy in the existentialist tradition. The introduction, history, and theory sections provide a basic overview that situates this tradition of therapy in a body of work that emerged in the early 1960s, and that has developed into an integrationist orientation that, while founded on existential and humanistic principles, has the theoretical openness and flexibility to incorporate a wide range of empirically based techniques within its applications to therapeutic practice.” —PsycCRITIQUES

"Schneider and Krug are renowned scholars and practitioners of existential–humanistic therapy. Not only does this volume clearly explain the theory and practice of existential–humanistic therapy, it is also a clear example of psychotherapy integration at its best." —George Stricker, PhD, Professor, American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Arlington, VA

"I wish I could have read this book 50 years ago back when I began practicing existential-humanistic psychotherapy, building valuable training in psychodynamic theory and practice. And I wish Rollo May, Jim Bugental and others had lived to see their work so well explicated and extended to help people deepen their meaningful engagement in life. Schneider and Krug have gifted us with a book that enriches this profound movement to make psychotherapy good for the soul." —Tom Greening, Ph.D., International Editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, Los Angeles, CA

From the Publisher

Leading existential–humanistic psychologists Kirk J. Schneider and Orah T. Krug provide a comprehensive and practical overview of this therapeutic modality. With important advancements from previous editions, the authors engage the existential unconscious, cultural perspectives, and research foundations as well as the core aspects of existential–humanistic (EH) therapy, including presence, meaning, freedom/choice, and responsibility. Covering both the uniqueness of EH therapy and its foundations for an integrative approach, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the existential and interpersonal dimensions of psychotherapy.

Louis Hoffman