1st Edition
Applications of Existential Psychology Introduction to Existential Psychology Volume 2
The second in a two-part set, this volume offers a detailed examination of the application of existential psychology.
This book begins by looking at the ‘conditio humana’ – the most important topics of existential psychology, including anxiety, freedom, choices, authenticity, suffering and meaning, creativity, togetherness, time, and death. It then moves through the practical application of existential psychology in the context of dreams, research, pathology and therapy. Examining key theories, models, and research, the volume offers a fascinating overview of how the disciplines of art, philosophy, literature, science and theology contribute to a deeper understanding of personal self-knowledge and a person’s sense of purpose. This unique transdisciplinary approach demonstrates how readers can apply philosophical, historical and artistic aspects of existential psychology to their lives. The book concludes by considering the role of existential psychology in the present.
Going beyond the questions of therapy and counselling that typically make up the study of existential psychology, the book offers the ultimate introduction for students and scholars of this fascinating and deeply rooted discipline. It may also interest professionals working in related fields.
Part 1. Conditio Humana: The Main Themes of Existential Psychology
1. Characteristics and Modes of Being-in-the-world
2. The Enigma of Anxiety
3. Freedom and Responsibility
4. Boundary Situations and Crises
5. “To Thine Own Self be True.”: Choices, Authentic Self and Destiny
6. I and Thou: The existential of Being-with and the Question of Love
7. Homo Patiens: Suffering and Searching for Meaning
8. “Time Swallows up your Life.” Time, Finitude and Being-Towards-Death
9. Homo Creativus
10. The Unconscious God and Überwelt
Part 2. The Applications of Existential Approach in Psychology
11. Dream and Existence
12. Pathic Existence and the Questions of Psychopathology
13. Existential Psychology and Scientific Research
14. Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling: General Introduction and Daseinsanalysis
15. Logotherapy and Existential Analysis
16. Existential-Humanistic and Existential Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling
17. Existential-Phenomenological Psychotherapy and Counselling
18. Further Applications of Existential Psychology in this field, Existential Family and Group Therapies
Part 3. Existentialism and Psychology in the 21st Century
19. The Return of Existential view at the turn of the Millennium and the Beginning of the 21st
20. New Developments and Challenges
Biography
Zoltán Kőváry Ph.D is a clinical psychologist, litterateur, linguist, and expert in existential counselling. He is an associate professor at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. His main research interests are in the history and theory of existential psychology and depth psychologies, eco-psychology, the psychology of creativity and psychobiographical research. He is an author of more than 70 articles, author and editor/co-editor of seven books, and an editor of the journal “Imago Budapest”. As well as running his own private practice in Budapest as an existential therapist, he is the leader of a rock band and interested in ornithology.
“This unique book invites the reader to reflect upon basic questions in life through a concise, easily read and captivating presentation of the major existential approaches to everyday life. Zoltán Kövary provides us with a remarkably intelligent, comprehensive and novel synthesis of an increasingly significant field of psychology. This introductory text tackles the big questions in life: Who am I? Which genuine possibilities do we have? How can we develop authentic relationships with other people? A thrilling contribution and an ideal reading as for students, researchers as for practitioners.”
- Tamás Fazekas, MD, PhD, Daseinsanalyst, Co-author of “The Renaissance of Daseinsanalysis“, Co-founder of the Hungarian and American Daseinsanalytic Institutes.
"Kovary's rich contribution gives a comprehensive account of the historical evolution of existential thought, culminating in its widening role in contemporary psychology and psychotherapy. The book is a goldmine for scholars and practitioners alike."
- Robert D. Stolorow, Founding Faculty, Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Los Angeles, USA and author of “Trauma and Human Existence”.
“The product of decades of research, Zoltan Kovary's work brilliantly explores every major thinker in existential psychology since the time of Kierkegaard to the present. Nothing like this book has ever been published before. A masterpiece of concision and depth."
- Robert Kramer, Visiting Professor of Public Leadership, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary and co-editor of “The Letters of Sigmund Freud and Otto Rank: Inside Psychoanalysis”.
“Real in-depth investigation brings up the roots of existential psychotherapy as well as its development and diversification in the practical application in an international context. A real source to learn from the beginnings to the ongoing application in both: in togetherness and differentiation of the movement. Illuminating.”
- Alfried Längle, International Society for Existential Analysis and Logotherapy, University of Klagenfurt and Sigmund Freud University Vienna, Austria.
"This two volume set introducing existential psychology to a new generation of students, professors, and practitioners could not be more welcome. The field of existential psychology is sorely lacking in such an in-depth history as well survey of present applications and this two volume set more than fills the gap. What impresses me most about this work is that Kovary has cast his net both wide and deep and has a keen sense for the most timely existential themes that impact today's theory, practice, and research. If you want to have a robust grasp of existential psychology's basic concerns and their contexts today, I could not recommend a more suitable resource."
- Kirk J. Schneider, Ph.D., President of the Existential-Humanistic Institute and Adjunct faculty, Saybrook University, USA and author of “Existential-Humanistic Therapy” (with Orah Krug), “The Polarized Mind”, and “Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World”.
"This book is an invitation to a wide ranging and in-depth journey through the international history of existential psychology and psychotherapy. It draws deeply on the intricate roots of existential understanding and points the way forwards towards greater human flourishing."
- Prof Emmy van Deurzen, founder of the Existential Academy and the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling and the author of numerous books and other texts, translated into over 30 languages.
