Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy: An Existential Approach to Therapy and Counselling by Emmy Van Deurzen


Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy: An Existential Approach to Therapy and Counselling
Title : Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy: An Existential Approach to Therapy and Counselling
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0471973904
ISBN-10 : 9780471973904
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 198
Publication : First published October 15, 1998

This book confronts the taboo of the psychotherapist?s personal history and emotions being involved in the therapeutic process. Emmy van Deurzen shows that therapists can draw on the full richness of their own experience in order to be truly credible and inspiring mentors to their clients. Paradox and dilemmas in human life?such as loneliness versus social integration, safety versus adventure, and confidence versus humility―are discussed clearly and directly, and related to a broad spectrum of questions that psychotherapists and their clients would do well to ask themselves. Throughout the book the author reveals her personal struggles with the same predicaments that her clients seek to understand and resolve. This process of disclosure, and the weaving of vivid client cases and issues together with more general philosophical issues, make this a practical and inspiring book that demonstrates the reality and passion of psychotherapy. "Passion and Paradox will become a classic celebration of the sheer power of existential thinking, living, being, and doing. Existentialism comes to bristling life as you walk with Professor van Deurzen through the world of psychotherapy, the world of psychotherapy professionalism, and the deeply personal world of the person who is a psychotherapist."
― Alvin R. Mahrer , PhD, author of The Complete Guide to Experiential Psychotherapy "Of the vast number of books written on psychotherapy this is one of the very few that are really worth reading. Emmy van Deurzen has the essential attributes of the truly gifted experience, intelligence, cultural breadth and?above all?the courage to strive after truth. There is much to be learned about psychotherapy and psychotherapists from what she has to say."
― David Smail , Nottingham, UK

Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy: An Existential Approach to Therapy and Counselling Reviews

  • Kolya Kalinin

    I have really enjoyed this book. Emmy Van Deurzen is a real person with an open heart who did a lot of work on herself before she started analyzing and structuring her knowledge and brought it to the world. She has come a long way from trying suicide in childhood to a person who loves life and helps others to love it.

    The book contains autobiographical sketches, the comprehension of the thoughts of various philosophers and psychologists, real examples of therapy and even parables. At certain moments I was imbued with narration and experienced real inspiration, and sometimes fell into the abyss of anxiety.

    With all due respect to this book, I will evaluate it in 4 stars. Because the size of the book should be two times smaller. I have a suspicion that the editor has overdone - in some places one and the same thesis appears in one paragraph.

    In any case, I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the meaning of existential therapy and begin to understand themselves and the world a little more. It's really worth it.

  • Michael D

    Amazing collection of essays and experiences. Pretty much everything I read by EVD blows me away and this is no exception.

  • Bradley

    Although there are more rigorous treatments of the subject, the depth and care that Emmy writes with makes this worth reading, especially as a introduction.