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16th out of 289 books
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Existential Psychotherapy/ روان درمانی اگزیستانسیال
by
Irvin D. Yalom,
سپیده حبیب (Goodreads Author)
The noted Stanford University psychiatrist distills the essence of a wide range of therapies into a masterful, creative synthesis, opening up a new way of understanding each person's confrontation with four ultimate concerns: isolation, meaninglessness, death, and freedom.
Hardcover, 544 pages
Published
December 8th 1980
by Basic Books / نشر نی
(first published 1980)
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James
rated it
Irvin Yalom is as brilliant a communicator as he is a psychiatrist. Together with his book on conducting group therapy, this is one of the clearest, best organized, and most comprehensive books I've found yet on any aspect of my profession.
Jason
rated it
Recommends it for:
Those looking for an alternative understanding of psychology
Shelves:
philosophy,
psychology
Yalom presents an account of psychology and psychotherapy from the perspective of existentialism. He argues that much of psychopathology derives from existential questions about the meaning of life, death, and such that haunt the human person. It's a refreshing change from the psychoanalytic, behaviorist, and neurobiological paradigms that often dominate the discourse in psychology. Those interested in philosophy, especially in its late 19th and 20th century Continental varieties, will find m...more
In college I read Norman O. Brown, Marcuse, R.D. Laing. I'm not really sure how this escaped my attention. Having absorbed a lot of the existential literature, I wasn't sure how relevant this book would be having now been written over 30 years ago, but I enjoyed it immensely. It was extraordinarily well constructed. It made liberal use of the existentialists - Sartre, Camus, Heidegger, Kierkegaard. It used fiction to effectively illustrate points - Tolstoy, Flaubert, Kafka, Wolfe. There wa...more
A monumental book focusing on 4 aspects of life that concerns psychological defense structures: death, freedom, meaninglessness, and isolation. I am about 1/2 way through the first section on death, and it's fascinating how he integrates literature, philosophy, and clinical case studies of people with neurosis or psychosis. Irvin Yalom seems as much a philosopher as he is a psychotherapist, summarizing in non-jargonized language the ideas pertaining to the subjects from people as diverse as Ka...more
Cary Schroeder
is currently reading it
Wonderful book with more angles to use to help clients. However, most people I know read it in college and some how never understood it. They probably ruined their chance of being a good counselors due to not understanding the book. The book should of spent a lot more time than one page explaining that peoples choices are influenced from their past. Also, he should of mentioned a lot more that it will always end rapport by telling a client, it was your choice to make that bad decision and no...more
In this classic textbook for therapists, Yalom identifies four primary existential problems that have widespread clinical implications, analyzes their etiology, and describes possible avenues for treatment. Yalom identifies four basic problems and explores them based on psychological, philosophical, and literary treatments: death and fear of mortality, freedom and the problem of contingency, isolation, and meaninglessness.
His basic model is Psychodynamic, which is to say he believes...more
His basic model is Psychodynamic, which is to say he believes...more
I love this book! I've heard people, again and again, make the assertion that philosophy, and in particular existential philosophy, has no real-life, down-to-earth, practical use. Well, Irvin Yalom's Existential Psychotherapy proves that to be false.
Yalom draws on the insights of existentialism in order to formulate an approach to psychotherapy that is grounded in the "ultimate concerns of life;" namely the concerns of death, freedom, existential isolation, and meaninglessn...more
Yalom draws on the insights of existentialism in order to formulate an approach to psychotherapy that is grounded in the "ultimate concerns of life;" namely the concerns of death, freedom, existential isolation, and meaninglessn...more
Irv Yalom is more than just a television celebrity and novel writing SUPERSTAR. He is also a kick-A therapist with aspirations towards philosophy. I think Irv sort of wishes he could have been back w/ Sartre in those Paris coffee houses back in the day. I like many of his insights and I think he is best when he speaks about the importance of the therapy relationship. That is where Irv helps me most- learning to apply interpersonal stuff that comes out in session to the client's broader life ...more
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Read this in 2000 and re-reading now. I found lots of post-it notes stuck on the pages and need to read the book again to connect some of the comments I made.
If your at all interested in psychology or existential philosophy, then read this book! Brilliant!
Death Anxiety, Freedom, Isolation and Meaninglessness. Quite an uplifting read.
Combines existential philosophy with sound, clinical psychology.
Jeremy
marked it as to-read
Another recommendation from Bob Flewelling.
Everything I have ever read by Irvin D. Yalom has been an incredible education and wonderfully written. Existential Psych is no exception. If you want to add some depth and breadth to your toolbox and skill set, this is a must read.
I didn't finish. Yalom's writing is excellent, and he synthesizes existential philosophy very effectively, drawing from literary fiction and nonfiction. There is much to be gleaned here, but I need to digest the section on death for awhile before I'm ready to move on. I read the section on death anxiety while on a beach vacation. Some people thought that was pretty funny.
I really enjoy Irv Yalom's writing style. He is clear, concise, and the subject matter is very fascinating. How do we cope with the truth of our existence? I'm sure everyone has their own take on reality, but this book probes the depths of the soul to bring you closer to the reasons you find for living a more authentic life.
Laura Westmeyer
marked it as to-read
Theresa's
Kara
rated it
Recommends it for:
people who want to understand Everything
Shelves:
criticism-philosophy
I might actually be in love with Dr. Yalom (or Irv, I call him Irv). His take on existentialism explains...everything. And his style is so clear that this book, which is meant to be an academic text, is comprehensible (and enjoyable) by anyone.
Before anyone enters therapy I would really recommend reading this book. It will probably save you the 180 bucks a week. It might not solve any of your problems, but at least it will help you realize that no one else can either.
Melanie
marked it as to-read
I find existentialism to be so interesting. This was actually a textbook in one of my classes at school, but I actually want to read it through for my own personal interest.
Very comprehensive and enjoyable. However, some was repetitive and at times too vague. Would have enjoyed less detailed patient examples and more actual transcripts.
Yalom's theory of existensialism is my base theory as a professional.
Pete Selig
rated it
Recommends it for:
a person interested in existential counseling
Shelves:
psychology
This book is very dense and boring, but it is also very informative.
I heart Yalom!!!
My "bible"
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Irvin David Yalom, M.D., is an author of fiction and nonfiction, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University, an existentialist, and accomplished psychotherapist.
More about Irvin D. Yalom...
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