Existential therapy has been practiced and continues to be practiced in many forms and situations throughout the world. But until now, it has lacked a coherent structure, and analysis of its tenets, and an evaluation of its usefulness. Irvin Yalom, whose Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy has rendered such a service to that discipline since 1970, provides existential psychotherapy with a background, a synthesis, and a framework.Organized around what Yalom identifies as the four “ultimate concerns of life”—death, freedom, existential isolation, and meaninglessness—the book takes up the meaning of each existential concern and the type of conflict that springs from our confrontation with each. He shows how these concerns are manifested in personality and psychopathology, and how treatment can be helped by our knowledge of them.Drawing from clinical experience, empirical research, philosophy, and great literature, Yalom has written a broad and comprehensive book. It will provide an intellectual home base for those psychotherapists who have sensed the incompatability of orthodox theories with their own clinical experience, and it opens new doors for empirical research. The fundamental concerns of therapy and the central issues of human existence are woven together here as never before, with intellectual and clinical results that will surprise and enlighten all readers.
Existential Psychotherapy
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A classic for those studying existential psychotherapy and indeed for all clinicians." -- --Rollo MayA
"Should be read by every psychiatry resident and every clinical psychology intern. It belongs in the library of every psychotherapist." -- --H. Keith BrodieA
"Should be read by every psychiatry resident and every clinical psychology intern. It belongs in the library of every psychotherapist." -- --H. Keith BrodieA
About the Author
Irvin D. Yalom, M.D., is professor emeritus of psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He was the recipient of the 1974 Edward Strecker Award and the 1979 Foundation's Fund Prize in Psychiatry. He is the author of When Nietzche Wept (winner of the 1993 Commonwealth Club gold medal for fiction), Love's Executioner, Every Day Gets a Little Closer (with Ginny Elkin), and the classic textbooks Inpatient Group Psychotherapy and Existential Psychotherapy.
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Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University. Author of nonfiction psychiatry texts, novels, and books of stories. Currently in private practice of psychiatry in Palo Alto and San Francisco, California.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
104 of 107 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a psychiatrist, I have yet to read a more illuminating book on how mental illnesses can develop, and how to help patients' to become free of them.
Existential Psychotherapy presents a theory of the existential forces that drive all human beings--knowledge of death, of our aloneness in the world, and of "meaninglessness" (the utter inconsequence of our one life in the entirety of the universe). It shows how these forces are powerful influences in shaping human mental health and illness.
Other reviewers here point out that the basic existential issues Yalom presents are well-known to academics and to many literate people who are exposed to them in that good, broad, liberal arts education we (still?) get in college. But what Yalom achieves in this book, has not to my knowledge been accomplished before (nor since): a presentation of these ideas to an audience of clinicians in a lucid, beautifully written, way that is salient to the daily practice of psychotherapy.
Yalom is a rare psychiatrist who is not only a master of the art of teaching and practicing psychiatry, but for this book, ventured into philosophy, literature, history, and sociology, and then integrated the wisdom each brings to the study of human nature, into a clear and cohesive whole, a beautifully written theory of the existential dimension of men's fears, drives, and actions, and how this dimension creates mental illness or health, depending on how each person handles it.
What is amazing is how such a book is now buried in the archives of (relative) obscurity, while others, recycling the same old tired ideas, reign on.
So what do these lofty insights in Yalom's book contribute that is unique and powerful to us lowly practitioners toiling daily in our offices in the (seemingly more banal) task of helping patients with daily crises, complaints, resistance to change, and painful repetitions of self-destructive life choices?
One very important tool: a true understanding of the power of existential concerns, not only in creating mental illness and self-destructive life paths, but, by shining a light on them-- capturing that elusive force of change: MOTIVATION. This force, and how to harness it to help patients overcome their suffering, has for me been one of my greatest challenges as a doctor. And one for which most books on psychotherapy have fallen short in helping me tackle.
In the sections "death" and "will", (two of the four main sections in the book), Yalom forges a path that I could follow, to help my patients free themselves of the fears that block motivation for change. In short, Yalom shows how the anxiety about, (and thus avoidance of) awareness of our death and aloneness, can cripple us into denial, and resistance to changing those of our behaviors that shield us from these truths. But, these very fears, when faced and reframed--as the awareness of one's finite limits, and of the freedom that comes along with one's aloneness, become extremely potent engines for change. Other peoples' judgements, and fear of failure, lead us to believe that the human "judges" are the most important threat in our lives. But in Yalom's world, these feared judgements pale in comparison to the the consequences of inaction. When we live with acute awareness that we waste our only life when we are beholden to judges who are after all, mortal and alone just like us, this can shake us up to MOVE and LIVE, in this finite life, in a way other insights cannot.
This example of how avoidance of existential fears leads to anxiety, low self-worth, and depression, is but one vignette in this book. Yalom applies his theory to the gamut of mental illness, and includes discussion of how narcissism, perversions, obssessions, masochism, sadism, ...the list goes on, are fueled by existential concerns. Yalom argues that they all boil down to one of two main strategies we humans employ to "forget" Death, Aloneness, and Meaninglessness: Either we escape too much into the protective cover of the GROUP, and become mindless group robots who drone through life until illness, or loss forces us to suddenly face our mortality, at which point many of us panic, or become depressed, OR, we get sucked into this defiant delusion : "I am SPECIAL"...smarter, more rebellious, unfettered by the social conventions of meek men, thus free of death's jaws". This reaction then can lead to reckless, impulsive, pseudo "powerful" behaviors that are often the fuel of many "acting out" mental problems: addiction, sociopathy, sadism, and narcissism.
Enough of my words-read and feel the power of Yalom's words in this great book.
Existential Psychotherapy presents a theory of the existential forces that drive all human beings--knowledge of death, of our aloneness in the world, and of "meaninglessness" (the utter inconsequence of our one life in the entirety of the universe). It shows how these forces are powerful influences in shaping human mental health and illness.
Other reviewers here point out that the basic existential issues Yalom presents are well-known to academics and to many literate people who are exposed to them in that good, broad, liberal arts education we (still?) get in college. But what Yalom achieves in this book, has not to my knowledge been accomplished before (nor since): a presentation of these ideas to an audience of clinicians in a lucid, beautifully written, way that is salient to the daily practice of psychotherapy.
Yalom is a rare psychiatrist who is not only a master of the art of teaching and practicing psychiatry, but for this book, ventured into philosophy, literature, history, and sociology, and then integrated the wisdom each brings to the study of human nature, into a clear and cohesive whole, a beautifully written theory of the existential dimension of men's fears, drives, and actions, and how this dimension creates mental illness or health, depending on how each person handles it.
What is amazing is how such a book is now buried in the archives of (relative) obscurity, while others, recycling the same old tired ideas, reign on.
So what do these lofty insights in Yalom's book contribute that is unique and powerful to us lowly practitioners toiling daily in our offices in the (seemingly more banal) task of helping patients with daily crises, complaints, resistance to change, and painful repetitions of self-destructive life choices?
One very important tool: a true understanding of the power of existential concerns, not only in creating mental illness and self-destructive life paths, but, by shining a light on them-- capturing that elusive force of change: MOTIVATION. This force, and how to harness it to help patients overcome their suffering, has for me been one of my greatest challenges as a doctor. And one for which most books on psychotherapy have fallen short in helping me tackle.
In the sections "death" and "will", (two of the four main sections in the book), Yalom forges a path that I could follow, to help my patients free themselves of the fears that block motivation for change. In short, Yalom shows how the anxiety about, (and thus avoidance of) awareness of our death and aloneness, can cripple us into denial, and resistance to changing those of our behaviors that shield us from these truths. But, these very fears, when faced and reframed--as the awareness of one's finite limits, and of the freedom that comes along with one's aloneness, become extremely potent engines for change. Other peoples' judgements, and fear of failure, lead us to believe that the human "judges" are the most important threat in our lives. But in Yalom's world, these feared judgements pale in comparison to the the consequences of inaction. When we live with acute awareness that we waste our only life when we are beholden to judges who are after all, mortal and alone just like us, this can shake us up to MOVE and LIVE, in this finite life, in a way other insights cannot.
This example of how avoidance of existential fears leads to anxiety, low self-worth, and depression, is but one vignette in this book. Yalom applies his theory to the gamut of mental illness, and includes discussion of how narcissism, perversions, obssessions, masochism, sadism, ...the list goes on, are fueled by existential concerns. Yalom argues that they all boil down to one of two main strategies we humans employ to "forget" Death, Aloneness, and Meaninglessness: Either we escape too much into the protective cover of the GROUP, and become mindless group robots who drone through life until illness, or loss forces us to suddenly face our mortality, at which point many of us panic, or become depressed, OR, we get sucked into this defiant delusion : "I am SPECIAL"...smarter, more rebellious, unfettered by the social conventions of meek men, thus free of death's jaws". This reaction then can lead to reckless, impulsive, pseudo "powerful" behaviors that are often the fuel of many "acting out" mental problems: addiction, sociopathy, sadism, and narcissism.
Enough of my words-read and feel the power of Yalom's words in this great book.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This book is a very enriching and expanding experience, not only for the person reading the book, but also for the people around the reader, as you simply can't help discussing the themes with friends and family. It is admirable how Yalom treats the subject without neither moral judgement nor dogmatic lecturing, opening a challenging universe, leaving it to the reader to find his or her own way through the chaos of life. Compulsory reading for anyone interested in psychology, philosophy or simply oneself and other human beings.
32 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Quenches a thirst for understanding during a time of life that demands introspection. Yalom's writing style is easily understood, and his statements are backed up with examples to drive home his point. An excellent piece of work!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Meets the expectation.
I wanted to read just this book, so fully satisfied. Philosophic approach to the terapy.
I'd prefer russian translation though :)
I'd prefer russian translation though :)
Published 8 days ago by Alexey Botchkov
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Work on the Dynamics of the Human Condition
Irvin Yalom, Professor Emeritus at Standford in psychiatry, has written a masterful book on the human condition (published in 1980). Read more
Published 2 months ago by Searching the Stars
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read for your clients and for yourself...
You cannot explore someone's inner life and neglect the existential. This is a smart, accessible introduction to what every therapist should know.
Published 3 months ago by DG
3.0 out of 5 stars
Do Not Buy This Book. I'm saving you $$$
Typically, I am a fan of Irving Yalom's work. He shines as a clinician and his case studies demonstrate his unique rapport with clients. I find his insight refreshing. Read more
Published on May 8, 2010 by ReadMeNow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Whoa!
Deep... ties together almost all of my sustaining questions about becoming a therapist. Need to read a couple times I think.
Published on March 11, 2009 by Adam Burn
4.0 out of 5 stars
educational and fun
Mr. Yalom is a talented writer and in this book, he makes this rather serious sounding subject easily understandable and fun to read. Read more
Published on December 17, 2008 by whj
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic in the Field
The first thing that must be said about EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOTHERAPY is that it is not merely for professionals. Read more
Published on August 11, 2008 by Dash Manchette
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Reading for Philosophers, Parents and Psychology Students
I first picked up this book for a university assignment on Irvin Yalom and was amazed that I had got through an undergrad degree in psychology without hearing about him. Read more
Published on August 9, 2007 by E. Grey
5.0 out of 5 stars
A psychotherapy practice could be built on this book!
I have recommended this book to one client who found it extremely useful as a means of managing his fear of death. Read more
Published on October 4, 2006 by Jorge Munoz-Bustamante
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not morbid in the least
Yalom points out that people often use one of two opposite methods for quelling death-anxiety: the "myth of specialness" in which a person places themselves outside of humanity so... Read more
Published on September 26, 2006 by Roy W. Zornow
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
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100
books
cite this book:
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- Being and Time by Martin Heidegger on 10 pages
- War and Peace by Lev Tolstoy on 5 pages
- Studies On Hysteria (Basic Books Classics) by Joseph Breuer on 5 pages
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy on 5 pages
- War and Peace (Penguin Classics) by Leo Tolstoy on 5 pages
See all 100 books this book cites
- Understanding the Self (Published in association with The Open University) by Richard Stevens on 5 pages
- Changing the Bully Who Rules the World: Reading and Thinking aAbout Ethics by Carol Bly on page 213, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Contesting Earth's Future: Radical Ecology and Postmodernity by Michæl E. Zimmerman in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Integrative Therapy: A Practitioner's Guide by Maja O'Brien on page 97, and page 132
- Coming to Life:The Emergence of Self in the Human Life Cycle by James L. Doak on page 92, and Back Matter
See all 100 books citing this book
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