Logotherapy and Existential Analysis (LTEA) was developed by Viktor E. Frankl, MD, PhD (1905-1997). Since 1926, he used the term Logotherapy to refer to a holistic approach in psychotherapy that recognized the three-dimensional nature of human existence in body, mind, and spirit. His diagnostic formulation was heuristic because, aside from acknowledging symptoms and manifestations of illness, his main focus was elucidating and mobilizing the resources of the human spirit, the inner core and essence of every person. The resources of the human spirit, attested Frankl, not only contribute to physical and mental stability, but they are instrumental in responding to physical, mental, and emotional challenges.
One of the capacities of the human spirit is self-distancing, which is the ability to distance oneself from circumstances and to observe oneself from the outside. Beyond self-observation and self-reflection, however, the dynamics of the spirit is oriented toward the world outside the self. This capacity of the spirit is called self-transcendence. According to Frankl, the main motivation of human existence is the will to meaning, which takes precedence over the will to pleasure or the will to power. Meaning is found through the actualization of values in harmony with universal values. Through the actulization of creative, experiential and attitudinal values, human life can be lived to the fullest even in the face of obstacles and unavoidable suffering.
Creative values refer to offering something to the world that was not there before, such as contributions through a work of art. Experiential values refer to being open to what the world offers, such as encounters and experiences that can fill a person with a sense of wonder. Attitudinal values refer to the capacity of turning unavoidable suffering into a human achievement.
Logotherapy’s methods rely on the capacities and the resources of the human spirit to discern and to actualize values and find meaning. The most well known among them are dereflection, paradoxical intention, and the Socratic Dialogue. They aid to re-kindle the resources of the human spirit, such as hope, faith, love, humor, generosity, kindness, benevolence and forgiveness, which can be mobilized to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.
The aim of logotherapy is not to un-cover hidden motives but to discover the genuine will to meaning. Through being good for something, being there for something, or for someone, the conviction of being wanted in life is the foundation that offers a fertile ground for living a peaceful and harmonious life.
The principles of LTEA can be applied as an integral part of every psychotherapeutic intervention. They can also complement the tenets of other psycotherapeutic modalities. LTEA has been specifically formulated to help to alleviate existential suffering, and to avoid despair that can often accompany acute or chronic conditions, whether they be physical or mental conditions with correlates of illness, mental anguish, or emotional distress, such as in the case of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other related conditions. LTEA can be also applied in education, the worplace, existential coaching, and pastoral counseling.
The therapeutic process of LTEA begins with formulating an existential conceptualization to better understand the presentation of symptoms as well as one’s strengths, hopes and capacities. Aside from what is conditioned, determined, or unalterable, areas of freedom and responsibility are highlighted with the aim of conceptualizing a freely chosen response and establishing meaningful and purposeful goals as the result of a collaborative effort.
LTEA consists of meaning-centered interventions with specific experiential exercises, which are tailored for each person’s specific circumstances. These exercises are employed to re-ignite reflection, communication, and evidence of the strength of the human spirit guiding the healing process. Evaluation of progress is gathered through experience and evidence from lived experience. The therapeutic process is therefore dynamic and collaborative, and is aimed to maximize the potential benefits of the treatment intervention. While it is trauma-informed, the goal of therapy is to equip individuals with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to manage and overcome challenges.
LTEA’s principles and methods are evidence based and empirically validated. They rest on research published in peer-reviewed, scientific literature demonstrating the effcetiveness of LTEA in practice.
The Ottawa Institute of Logotherapy offers a professional development training program through distance learning (online). This course is based on the official curriculum endorsed by the Viktor Frankl Institute, Vienna, as outlined by the Elisabeth Lukas Archives. This course is available worldwide and is open to professionals who wish to acquaint themselves with the principles, methods and the clinical applications of Viktor E. Frankl’s Logotherapy and Existential Analysis.
One of the unique features of this course is that Professor Edward Marshall and Professor Maria Marshall offer invidual online tutoring sessions to proffessionals around the world.
To inquire about the training program in Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, please contact us.