This second edition provides an updated introduction to the theory, history, research, and practice of existential-humanistic therapy, which merges existential philosophy with humanistic psychotherapy, along with recent trends in existential-integrative therapy.
Existential-humanistic therapy melds European existential philosophy, which values self-inquiry, struggle, and responsibility, with the American tradition of spontaneity, optimism, and practicality. In this updated edition of their popular book, Kirk Schneider and Orah Krug demonstrate how this unique approach can help clients free themselves from self-imposed limitations and develop a deeper understanding of their authentic life goals by cultivating skills such as experiential reflection.
Schneider and Krug explore existential-humanistic therapy’s theoretical and historical underpinnings, its empirical foundations, the therapeutic process and mechanisms of change, as well as future developments. Detailed case examples vividly illustrate the work of existential-humanistic therapy, highlighting key takeaways that are equally accessible and valuable to graduate students and veteran practitioners.
New to this second edition is an increased focus on a more integrative perspective, which makes existential-humanistic therapy applicable to a wider array of settings and diagnostic populations. This flexibility also makes it more adaptable to other therapeutic approaches and expands its influence on clinical psychology as a whole.
Author Biography:
Kirk J. Schneider, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and leading spokesperson for contemporary existential–humanistic psychology. Dr. Schneider is past president (2015–2016) of APA Division 32 (Society for Humanistic Psychology); past editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology (2005–2012); president-elect of the Existential–Humanistic Institute; and adjunct faculty at Saybrook University and Teachers College, Columbia University. A Fellow of APA, Dr. Schneider has published more than 100 articles and chapters and has authored or edited 11 books. These books include The Paradoxical Self, Horror and the Holy, The Psychology of Existence (with Rollo May), Rediscovery of Awe, Existential–Integrative Psychotherapy, Humanity's Dark Side: Evil, Destructive Experience, and Psychotherapy (with Art Bohart, Barbara Held, and Ed Mendelowitz), Awakening to Awe, The Polarized Mind, and Supervision Essentials for Existential–Humanistic Therapy (with Orah Krug). The Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy (with Emmy van Deurzen et al.) and The Spirituality of Awe: Challenges to the Robotic Revolution are in preparation. Dr. Schneider is the recipient of the Rollo May Award from APA Division 32 for "outstanding and independent pursuit of new frontiers in humanistic psychology"; the Cultural Innovator award from The Living Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a psychotherapy training center that bases its diploma on Schneider's existential–integrative model of therapy; and an honorary diploma/membership from the Society for Existential Analysis of the United Kingdom and the East European Association of Existential Therapy.
Orah T. Krug, PhD, is a licensed psychotherapist with a private practice in Oakland, California. She is the clinical training director of the Existential–Humanistic Institute of San Francisco and teaches at Saybrook Graduate School. Dr. Krug received her doctorate from Saybrook Graduate School, where she was awarded the Rollo May Scholarship for an essay comparing the theoretical approaches of her two mentors, James Bugental and Irvin Yalom. She has produced two videos, Conversations With Jim and "Joe": A Demonstration of the Consultation Process, with James Bugental. Her current research focuses on the relationship between the cultivation of intra- and interpersonal presence and the contextual factors of therapy associated with therapeutic change. Her article in the Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy, "James Bugental and Irvin Yalom: Two Masters of Existential Therapy Cultivate Presence in the Therapeutic Encounter", began an exploration of this research.
