0. 2-day introductory seminar

• Self-reflection in a group format

 

1. Introduction and framework to Existential Analysis

• What is Existential Analysis (EA) and Logotherapy (LT)?

• Definition and area of application

• Basic Existential Analysis theory, linking the main trends of psychotherapy

• History of EA and LT

• Goal of Existential Analysis education in the field of psychotherapy and counselling

• Philosophical basis and specific character of working in Existential Analysis

• Spiritual and historical background of EA and LT

• Existential Analysis anthropology

• Psychometric methods of EA and LT

 

2. Existential Analysis theory of motivations

• The idea of helping and its motivation

• The theories of motivations

• Psychodynamics

• Four fundamental motivations in EA

 

3. 1st fundamental motivation: existence in the world and personal trust

• The ability “to be” as one of the key issues of existence

• Coping skills of unreliability and endurance

• Being able to accept life outcomes

• Preconditions to acceptance: protection, space and support

• Trust and courage, “The armchair method” exercise

• Relationship with the body

• Belief in truth, fundamental trust, the basis of existence

• Topics related to the 1st FM: quietness, truth, faithfulness, power, hope, belief

• Phenomenology

 

4. 2nd fundamental motivation: Life and personal attitude

• Values and preferences as the key issues of life

• Loss of life, coping reactions, sadness

• Personal activity: attentive existence

• Preconditions for transformation: 1st FM + positive experience of intimacy (closeness), time, and relationships

• Study of Values

• Study of Emotions

• Fundamental values, fundamental attitudes

• Topics related to 2nd FM: love, self-acceptance, joy, enjoyment

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5. 3rd fundamental motivation: communal and personal

• To be able to be myself as one of the key issues of “Person”

• Loss of self; coping reacting, forgiving

• Respect

• Preconditions for self-worth: 1st FM + 2nd FM - attention, justification, respect

• Ethics, Super-ego / Social-ego

• Person, self-distancing, self-transcendence

• Self-worth, authenticity, consciousness

• Selfness

• Topics related to 3rd FM: respect, honour

 

6. 4th Fundamental Motivation: Existential meaning

• The reason for existence

• Meaning blockade and loss of meaning; coping reactions under loss of meaning; Existential twist

• Preconditions for existential twist: 1st FM + 2nd FM + 3rd FM, the context, the  terrestrial life, the will to live with meaning, method of finding meaning

• Will-power; will strengthening method

• The Study of Meaning; crisis intervention, the attitude change method

• Existence, Execution, Development

• Related topics: Being religious; purpose, target setting, existential vacuum

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7. Therapeutic relationships and dialogue

• Therapeutic Setting

• Therapeutic relationship in EA, the Meeting

• Thе guidance on conducting a talk - a therapeutic dialogue, treating resistance

 

8. Fear, phobia, panic, compulsion; fearful personality disorder

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• Nosology and psychopathology

• Phenomenology and the experience

• Etiology, dynamics and forms of fear

• Existential analytical understanding of anxiousness

• Fearful personality

• Prophylaxis

• Specific therapy and specific techniques

 

9. Depression, bipolar depression; depressive personality disorder

• Nosology and psychopathology

• Phenomenology and the experience; Grief

• Etiology, dynamics and forms of depression

• Existential analytical understanding of depressivity

• Depressive personality

• Prophylaxis

• Specific Therapy and specific techniques

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10. Hysteria, somatoform disorders, histrionic personality disorder

 

• Nosology and psychopathology

• Phenomenology and the experience

• Etiology, dynamics and forms of hysteria

• Existential analytical understanding of the histrionic vital experience

• Histrionic personality development

• Prophylaxis

• Specific therapy and specific techniques

 

11. More personality disorders (narcissistic and borderline)

 

• Nosology and psychopathology

• Phenomenology and the experience

• Etiology, dynamics and forms of personality disorders

• Existential analytical understanding

• Specific therapy and specific techniques

 

12. Schizophrenic psychoses and paranoid pathology

 

• Nosology and psychopathology

• Phenomenology and the world of experience

• Etiology, dynamics and forms of psychoses

• Existential analytical understanding

• Specific therapy and specific techniques

 

13. General theory and practice of relationships

 

• Love, sexuality, sexuality disorders, couple therapy

• Aggression, violence

 

14. Other disorders

 

• Addiction and dependence, eating disorders

• Somatic disorder (psychosomatic)

 

 

15. General themes for clinical training

 

• Existential analytical diagnostics

• Healthy – sick: existential analytical psychopathology

• Neurosis – psychoses – personality disorders

• Elements of efficacy in psychotherapy