Customer Reviews

Existential Therapies

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a very through and well thought out review of the current existential therapies. The author sought out current practitioners of each school to give not only a historical perspective, but a view of the current thinking. The book is rich with references. An excellent introduction to existential therapies as they are practices in the United Kingdom, the continent of Europe, and in the United States.

I thought this book provided a great introduction to the many schools of thought in the existential approaches to therapy. As a clinical psychology doctoral student orientating in existential psychology, I have read many other books on this topic and have found them filled with jargon and often difficult to understand. Cooper's discussion about the different existential therapies was a thorough, understandable, and quick to read. Additionally, Cooper provided strengths and criticisms of each of the approaches discussed providing a three dimensional look into the approach and the theorists involved in the existential theories of psychotherapy. I would recommend this book for those who are just beginning to explore the existential theoretical orientation as well as advanced therapy or psychology students.

This little book is an excellent summary of existential psychotherapy. It begins with a brief and clear summary of existential philosophy, then reviews the major sub-schools of existential psychotherapy. The book discusses some historical developments within existential psychotherapy that were strangely lacking from my graduate school text, but its major value is bringing the reader almost up to date with what is happening in this field. The book is well written and pleasantly free of some of the prejudices that occasionally arise in existential circles against spiritual and religious ideas. My only real problem with the book is its cost: Surprisingly expensive for such a short book. Even so, it is well worth the read for psychotherapists who want to deal with the deeper issues with which their patients struggle.

I never received my book at all nor did I get a refund. I tried to contact the seller and they never responded to me.