What does it mean to practice therapy in an existential way? What are the different existential approaches? What are their strengths and limitations? Focusing on practical, face-to-face work with clients, the book introduces students to six existential therapies, highlighting areas of commonality and difference, and discusses key figures and their contributions, including Yalom, van Deurzen, Spinelli, Frankl and Laing. It outlines the critical perspectives and key debates, and presents implications for practice, reflection and further reading. Fully updated to reflect current issues, this book now includes: * Sections presenting research evidence for each approach * An extended case study running through the book, demonstrating how different therapies might approach the same case * Chapter overviews, questions for reflection, and additional case studies of actual existential practice.
Mick Cooper is Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton, where he is Director of the Centre for Research in Social and Psychological Transformation (CREST). Mick is a chartered psychologist, a UKCP registered psychotherapist, and a Fellow of the BACP. Mick is author and editor of a range of texts on person-centred, existential and relational approaches to therapy; including Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (2005, SAGE, with Dave Mearns), Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy 2011, SAGE, with John McLeod) and Existential Therapies (2nd edn, 2017, SAGE). Mick has led a series of research studies exploring the processes and outcomes of humanistic counsel-ling with young people. Mick is the father of four children and lives in Brighton on the south coast of England.
Introduction: The Rich Tapestry of Existential Therapies Existential Philosophy: The Meaning of Being Daseinsanalysis: Foundations for an Existential Therapy Meaning-Centred Therapies: Discovering Meaning and Purpose in Life Existential-Humanistic Therapy: Overcoming a Resistance to Life R. D. Laing: Meeting without Masks Existential-Phenomenological Therapy: The Exploration of Existence Dimensions of Existential Therapeutic Practice Discussion: Challenges and Possibilities for the Existential Therapies
The book remains an extremely useful guide to the territory of existential therapies. It continues to set down the major historic and contemporary and debates, and to provide and invaluable map of the territory. -- Existential Analysis As always with Mick's work this is a wonderfully clear, accessible and engaging book, and an excellent starting point for anyone who is interested in existential therapy. As well as providing historical context and an overview of the existential approach and how it can be applied to therapy, this second edition expertly weaves in newer developments in the field including the existential-phenomenological approach, and time-limited existential therapy. Existential therapies are also brought to life with a case study that runs the whole way through the book. Overall, a superb introduction and an important contribution to the field. The second edition of Existential Therapies represents an important update of this important text. Mick Cooper respectfully examines the differences and similarities of the various major approaches to existential therapy. This should be required reading for all student and scholars in existential psychology. Louis Hoffman, Saybrook University Sympathetic, personal and modern writing with a firm guiding hand leading through the complex diversity of existential therapies. The second edition brings a good adjustment to the actual situation with a remaining dominance of the British (and English language) perspective. Lively and practical book with reflected literature access - a perfect introduction, a perfect refresher! Alfried Laengle, Vienna -- Meg-John Barker The second edition of Existential Therapies represents an important update of this important text. Mick Cooper respectfully examines the differences and similarities of the various major approaches to existential therapy. This should be required reading for all student and scholars in existential psychology. -- Louis Hoffman Sympathetic, personal, and modern writing, which guides its reader with a firm hand through the complex and diverse world of existential therapy. The second edition brings a good adjustment to the actual situation with a remaining dominance of the British (and English language) perspective. Lively and practical book with reflected literature access - this is a perfect introduction, a perfect refresher! -- Alfried Laengle The book has been completely updated, and has much more material on the recent spread of existentialist therapy worldwide. The writing is very easy and approachable, with a real care for the ability of the readers to cope with difficult concepts. Strongly recommended. -- John Rowan
