Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy

Emmy van Deurzenis a Philosopher, Counselling Psychologist, and Existential Psychotherapist.  She founded the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s College, UK, the Society for Existential Analysis, and the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, of which she continues to be Principal. She lectures worldwide and is currently Visiting Professor at Middlesex University, UK. She was the first chair of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, and was instrumental in establishing the existential approach in the UK and Europe. Her books include Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling in Practice (3rd edition, 2012), Psychotherapy and the Quest for Happiness (2008), and Everyday Mysteries (2nd edition, 2010).

• About the Author ixPreface to the Second Edition xPreface to the First Edition xiiAcknowledgements xvIntroduction 1Section 1 Paradox 15Introduction: The Central Role of Paradox in Human Existence 151 Ontological Insecurity Revisited: Self]confidence Versus Anxiety 232 Courting Death: Life in the Balance 373 The Survival of the Self: Identity, Freedom and Disintegration 584 Intimacy and Love: Closeness and Distance Between Self and Other 695 Alienation and Adaptation: Being a Stranger in a Foreign Land 77Section 2 Passion 87Introduction: the Central Role of Passion in Human Existence 876 A Passion for Life: Rediscovering the Intensity of Living 957 Truth as a Touchstone: Reality and Meaning as the Bedrock of Living 1068 Hard]earned Lessons: a Therapist’s own Journey to Self]understanding 1219 Letting the Client’s Life Touch Yours: the Art of Resonance and Presence 14310 The Moral Compass: How Can Counselling and Therapy Help? 158Section 3 Existential Psychotherapy 173Introduction: A New Way of Working 17311 Widening Horizons: Universal Dimensions of the Human Dilemma 17712 What is Existential Analysis? Sketch for an Existential Approach 18913 Philosophy as Therapy: The Ultimate Goal of our Work 20014 A New Challenge: Towards Transcendence 208Section 4 Illustrations of Existential Work 223Introduction: What We Can Learn From Practice 22315 Marie]Louise: Letting Go of the Past in Order to Reclaim it 22716 Vicky: Learning to Be More by Being Less 23317 Peter: Finding Oneself in Spite of Psychotherapy 24118 Jerry: Transcending Trauma 251Conclusions 263References 266Index 273