Emmy van Deurzen 
Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy [PDF ebook] 
An Existential Approach

About the Author ix
Preface to the Second Edition x
Preface to the First Edition xii
Acknowledgements xv
Introduction 1
Section 1 Paradox 15
Introduction: The Central Role of Paradox in Human Existence 15
1 Ontological Insecurity Revisited: Self-confidence Versus Anxiety 23
2 Courting Death: Life in the Balance 37
3 The Survival of the Self: Identity, Freedom and Disintegration 58
4 Intimacy and Love: Closeness and Distance Between Self and Other 69
5 Alienation and Adaptation: Being a Stranger in a Foreign Land 77
Section 2 Passion 87
Introduction: the Central Role of Passion in Human Existence 87
6 A Passion for Life: Rediscovering the Intensity of Living 95
7 Truth as a Touchstone: Reality and Meaning as the Bedrock of Living 106
8 Hard-earned Lessons: a Therapist’s own Journey to Self-understanding 121
9 Letting the Client’s Life Touch Yours: the Art of Resonance and Presence 143
10 The Moral Compass: How Can Counselling and Therapy Help? 158
Section 3 Existential Psychotherapy 173
Introduction: A New Way of Working 173
11 Widening Horizons: Universal Dimensions of the Human Dilemma 177
12 What is Existential Analysis? Sketch for an Existential Approach 189
13 Philosophy as Therapy: The Ultimate Goal of our Work 200
14 A New Challenge: Towards Transcendence 208
Section 4 Illustrations of Existential Work 223
Introduction: What We Can Learn From Practice 223
15 Marie-Louise: Letting Go of the Past in Order to Reclaim it 227
16 Vicky: Learning to Be More by Being Less 233
17 Peter: Finding Oneself in Spite of Psychotherapy 241
18 Jerry: Transcending Trauma 251
Conclusions 263
References 266
Index 273

Emmy van Deurzenis a Philosopher, Counselling
Psychologist, and Existential Psychotherapist. She founded
the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s
College, UK, the Society for Existential Analysis, and the New
School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, of which she continues to
be Principal. She lectures worldwide and is currently Visiting
Professor at Middlesex University, UK. She was the first chair of
the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, and was instrumental
in establishing the existential approach in the UK and Europe. Her
books include Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling in
Practice (3rd edition, 2012), Psychotherapy and the Quest
for Happiness (2008), and Everyday Mysteries
(2nd edition, 2010).