Existential Thought and Therapeutic Practice

Hans W Cohn is a psychotherapist in private practice and lectures at the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent′s College in London, where he also supervises students who have chosen to engage in a programme leading to an Advanced Diploma in Existential Psychotherapy.

• What Is Existential Psychotherapy?Philosophical BackgroundExistential Psychotherapy and PsychoanalysisA ComparisonThe Therapeutic RelationshipExistential-Phenomenological Dimensions of GroupsMind and BodyAspects of Anxiety and GuiltThe Question of the UnconsciousDreams and SymptomsBeing-in-the-World SexuallyWithdrawal and DelusionAims of Psychotherapy

`Cohn has succeeded in presenting [the existential-phenomenological] tradition with clarity and succinctness and without oversimplification - no mean feat′ - The European Journal of Psychotherapy, Counselling & Health`Hans W Cohn pits existential-phenomenological thought against psychoanalytic theory, then provides a stimulating and insightful commentary on the strengths of the one and the weaknesses of the other... it is to his enormous credit that Cohn uses his considerable knowledge of both opponents to ensure an even-handed and respectful exposition... [with] a lightness of touch and a clarity of style... Cohn demonstrates his mastery of the subject matter by distilling often arduous concepts into reader-friendly statements without loss of precision or flavour. The effect encourages and stimulates the reader to remain with the material knowing that s/he is capable of sustaining an equal relationship with it... if you want at least one "existential psychotherapy" text in your library, buy this one. It′s a winner′ - The Psychotherapy Review`Cohn′s book is the first rigorous and even-handed comparison of the existential and the psychoanalytic stances. He devotes each chapter to a topic and clearly defines the points of contact and difference with impressive precision, and as such it is a triumph of pluralist clarity and learning which does not oversimplify either position′ - Counselling, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling`A lucid and much-needed account of existential psychotherapy... As well as locating existential psychotherapy within a historical and philosophical context, Hans Cohn encompasses various therapeutic issues and provides some vivid and sensitive passages of case material... [which are] remarkable for their sensitivity and understanding... I found the book provided a concise and clarifying account of the underlying philosophy and of the psychotherapeutic practice... Hans W Cohn′s comparison of an existential-phenomenological approach with psychoanalysis delineates areas of complementarity and areas of radical difference. The existentialist challenge to Freud outlined in the book provides an alternative point of view to counter potentially engulfing aspects of a psychoanalytic vision. This is a stimulating book which is a valuable contribution towards dialogue between different approaches of psychotherapy′ - International Journal of Psychotherapy`I very much like what Cohn has done... All in all Cohn has given us a good read. The book is comprehensive, honouring to the reader and thought-provoking′ - Self & Society`This small but informative volume... is absorbingly written and intellectually challenging in a way that allows for broad agreement as well as critical opposition′ - Daseinsanalyse`This book stimulated me intellectually and helped me clarify some of my thoughts. It also whetted my appetite for more.′ - Group Analysis