EXISTENTIAL ANALYSIS AND RESONANCE

Psychotherapy as a room of resonance
KARIN STEINERT

In the year 2016, Hartmut Rosa, sociologist and social philosopher, presented a comprehensive theory in which he describes resonance as a happening of relationship between the subject and the world, featuring it as a possible solution for increasing acceleration and estrangement in modern societies. It thereby becomes apparent, that the anthropological assumptions on which his theory is based are very close to Existential Analysis. These parallels are outlined in the article and subsequently psychotherapy is described from the perspective of an “approaching room of resonance” in the spirit of Rosa which can counteract different experiences of estrangement and enable a life of approval (again). In this perception of mankind and relationship to the world, the theory of resonance and also Existential Analysis can be understood as positions critical of society.
Keywords: acceleration, estrangement, Existential Analysis, society, resonance, approval

„WHAT HELPED ME?“ – EFFECTIVE ELEMENTS IN THERAPY-PROCESS FROM THE PATIENT’S POINT OF VIEW

A contribution to research on the process of psychotherapy
ASTRID GÖRTZ

The following contribution begins with a discussion of substantial considerations in the research of effectiveness of psychotherapy. In the empirical part of the main study, the effective elements of three existential analytical psychotherapy processes with different diagnoses and the focus on several existential fundamental motivations are analyzed on the basis of retrospective conversations or structured interviews. Point of departure is the perspective of the patient which is captured inductively with subjective answers to the questions “What has changed through therapy?” and “What helped me?” A hermeneutic phenomenological analysis from the perspective of therapists and researchers intensifies the statements of the patients in terms of an inter-subjective statement on the effective elements of existential analytical psychotherapy. The case related insights from two patients with quantitative self-evaluations are correlated.
Existential fundamental motivations and Personal Existential Analysis are used as theoretical framework for the understanding of therapy effects. In regards to clinical images, therapeutic work with Personal Existential Analysis is theoretically specified with these case comparisons. Finally, general considerations on adequate approaches of research in qualitative individual case or process research result thereof.
Keywords: qualitative individual case research, process research, inductive research, general effective factors, retrospection of therapy

THE ETHICAL RELEVANCE OF PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC PROCESSES

CRISTINA BACHER-RIEGER

What stood up to the scrutiny of universalization based on reason was considered ethically valuable to our occidental traditions at the latest since the Age of Enlightenment. However, this initially valuable instrument for the emancipation of the individual occurred at the expense of ethical disregard for all which is subjective. Through overcoming the antagonism between subjectivity and objectivity and with an understanding of reason which grants essential space to subjectivity, access to an ethic is allowed that attaches an important role to tracking down inner coherency by ethically dealing with one’s own behavior and one’s own emotions as is done in the process of Existential Analysis.
Keywords: ethics, objectivity, subjectivity, universalization, emotion

LIVELY IN THE SPHERE OF FREEDOM AND OF RELATIONSHIP1

EMMANUEL J. BAUER

What distinguishes human life from mere vegetating, from being-lived anonymously or determined by others and from living it out meaninglessly? There are many factors which can grant liveliness and fulfillment to human life. Indispensible to life are the spheres of freedom and of being-spirit as well as the sphere of personal relationship. The former opens up the horizon of forming the self and forming the world; the latter overcomes fearful or narcissistic ego-loneliness and allows the person to flourish in its true essence. Last but not least, the intimate “sphere of God” in one’s own heart is an important key to life for many people. What is the meaning of these spheres and which existential care do they require in order for them to spread out and stay open? Amongst other things they call for the individual’s courage to make decisions, for closeness to oneself, for sensing limitations and meeting with them, for a pausing being-with-oneself, for knowledge of You and confidence.
Keywords: personal relationship, existential sphere

IS EXISTENTIAL ANALYSIS A HEALING PROCESS?

CHRISTIAN PROBST

Existential-analytical psychotherapy is a matter of activating the person in its everyday reality. In the basic concept, this approach is a healing process. The fundamental motivations of existential-analytical anthropology and the process model PEA demonstrate which healing potential Existential Analysis has in store. This speech elucidates the healing impact the contact between therapist and patient has during existential-analytical psychotherapy.
Keywords: Existential Analysis, psychotherapy, healing processes, dialogue, person

HEALING AS RECONCILIATION WITH THE BEING

On the binding of the human being to the origin
ALFRIED LÄNGLE

For psychotherapy to be an art of healing it needs more than stabilization and learning processes. Healing means: the injured becoming whole again; shape and function are again the way they were before, wholesome and not particularized. From the perspective of Existential Analysis, inner dialogue plays a central role in the process, rendering the human being capable of being him/herself and to live life based on their origin. This openness to oneself is then possible on the basis of the personal existential fundamental motivations. More in-depth experience of these structures and of the reality within (such as support, closeness, appreciation and value in the future) have a healing effect. In all structures flows the force of life. Establishing this connection once again is seen as the deepest point of healing: being able to allow one’s own origin to take its effects inside in its fourfold ways, this is such as reconciliation with being. As processes it needs openness towards the other and towards oneself, reference to one’s own person, including its conscience, carefully balancing polarities and a phenomenological attitude. In the course of this, finding inner approval which stems from these experiences is the key for it to become fertile. Short examples and an excerpt from therapy elucidate the described.
Keywords: healing, fundamental motivations, openness, phenomenology, life’s force

THE SALUTARY IN ENCOUNTERING THE INNER CHILD
HELENE DREXLER

Work with the inner child has increasingly been included in therapeutic processes since it became known through the publications of John Bradshaw, Erika Chopich and Margaret Paul in the 1990s. It proves helpful for the healing process in Existential Analysis as well, especially during biographical work.
The present article firstly delineates the scientific foundation of the method on the basis of neurobiological insights. Building on this, three imagination scenarios are outlined and analyzed on the basis of experience reports whilst also regarding existential analytical anthropology.
Keywords: adjuvant method, biographical work, imagination, inner child

„BECAUSE IT CAN BE SAID…”

Effective elements in the treatment of Psychotraumas
RENATE BUKOVSKI

The biography of a human being is written by the impressive, but also by the atrocious, by what has left an imprint and injured, and also by the way the person can master it. When traumatizations of the personal-existential fundamental motivations prevent succeeding in the accomplishment of existence, we attempt to alleviate the effects of these experiences in treatment.
Which effective elements help traumatized people to accept what has happened, to process and to integrate it into one’s own life story? Methodological considerations, practical experiences from psychotherapy and feedback from effected people illuminate a few possibilities to pacify the traumatic and to induce what is salutary while doing so.
Keywords: Existential Analytical Psychotrauma Therapy, the salutary, trauma, effective elements

WHEN CHRONIC SUFFERINGS ARE INCURABLE

BARBARA JÖBSTL

Chronic illnesses, especially conditions of chronic pain, may lastingly impair the realization of existence of the person. They take an effect on mastering Dasein, the zest for life and the self-conception or self-worth of the person, rendering meaningful life no longer possible.
In search of alleviation and healing, patients frequently consult innumerable specialists or seek the aid of various healers and healing methods.
Does the curative still exist when healing is not possible anymore?
Followed by a description of the effects chronic sufferings have on the realization of existence, this contribution pursues the question how the practitioner/psychotherapist is able to have a healing effect under all circumstances, even when healing in the sense of recovery or alleviation of the illness itself is not possible anymore.
Keywords: chronic illness, realization of existence, fundamental motivations, healing encounter

ON AMAZEMENT, LEARNING AND EXPLORATION – HOW PARSIFAL LEARNED TO ASK QUESTIONS AGAIN.

SUSANNE POINTNER

A key part of work in therapy and counseling is dedicated to influencing the regulation of emotions. A shallow or submerged world of emotions blocks the flow of life, exuberant affects may have destructive effects, not understood or disregarded yearnings stand in the way of forming one’s life meaningfully. In the process, we as supporters run into the danger of unconsciously urging the client towards an attitude which rather corresponds to our own unconscious norms than to their understanding of a good life. In order to practice the open attitude of phenomenology it is beneficial to revise one’s own doctrines and theoretical constructs again and again and, if necessary, to break with them.
The way of dealing with inner conscious and unconscious precepts is one of the core issues in the medieval story of Parsifal. By means of this story, effects and possible side-effects of therapeutic processes and counseling will be outlined. Acceptance of errors and mistakes is the basis for a constructive handling of undesired side-effects in psychotherapy and counseling.
Keywords: effects of psychotherapy, detrimental effects of therapy

HEALING OCCURS WHILE ENTERING AND BEING CONNECTED TO OUR OWN INNER CENTRE

SABINE PROBST

Self-healing powers exist in every person and are activated, when body, mind and soul are in harmony. The most important precondition for this self-healing process is being able to entirely accept ourselves the way we are.
In my article I want to point out the similarities between the fundamental motivations and the chakras, the energy centers in our body. Spiritual nourishment, spiritual impulses and subtle energy are absorbed by these energy centers, enabling us to empower ourselves to expand our consciousness and to undertake the most important changes in our lives.
Healing in ourselves takes place when there are no resistances within us anymore, which prevent the continuous and steady flow of life-energy.
Keywords: Existential Analysis, healing, chakras, energy

THE INNER WISDOM OF THE BODY
VERONIKA UND JOHANN MONSCHEIN

The present article summarizes ideas and experiences from the workshop „Eh nur psychisch oder doch rein somatisch?“ (Only psychological, or purely somatic after all?) during the autumn symposium 2018 and intends to accentuate the issue of the bodily level and include it into dialogue.
Keywords: body, Shiatsu, dialogue

PURE LUST – FOR GOD’S SAKE
CHRISTIAN PROBST

When approaching the phenomenon of lust in everyday life, we often come across insecurity and rejection. Among many people, the mere term “lust” already awakens associations with misery, addiction, seduction and temptation, with an animalistic lack of culture and the loss of human dignity or of purpose and values, amidst a never-ending craving for satisfaction.
Nevertheless, we encounter lust every day. It is simply there. It simply exists. How should we deal with our lust, and how do we want to deal with it? Is it good to ignore it, to deny it, to separate oneself from it? Where does such an attitude towards life lead us to?
In this presentation, the value of lust and of the experience of lust for our emotional wellbeing and emotional health will be shown. Furthermore, the dangers that come alongside lust will be discussed.
Keywords: Existential Analysis, lust, value, depression,
addiction

EXISTENTIAL ANALYTICAL COUPLE THERAPY – A CASE EXAMPLE
SILVIA SCHMIDT

Existential Analytical Couple Therapy accompanies couples with the aim of redeveloping personal dialogue with oneself and with the partner anew. For this purpose, it is essential to understand the negative dance of relationship in the couple’s occurrences, to protect their intermediate space and to enable them to re-experience the values which render them capable of encountering each other again. In this article, the theoretical foundation, the method and a course of therapy is outlined in compliance with the process model of Personal Existential Analysis.
Keywords: couple therapy, couple myths, Fundamental
Motivations, Personal Existential Analysis, couple dialogue

THE ENCOUNTER WITH IRON HEINRICH. A CASE REPORT

EVA KOHLA

Reaching into his physical constitution, a disruption of the relationship to the world, to other people and to himself, and depressive feelings of weakness and bitterness characterize Heinrich. Based on a case study, the present work deals with the complex effect factors of turning towards and picking up lovingly, of profound therapeutic presence, which enabled Heinrich to come in and take a seat, so it could happen that something opened up in him.
Keywords: encounter, relationship, personal attentiveness, depression, embitterment disorder