Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy - 9781118713853

"Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy is an eloquent statement about the power of paradox to unshackle lives. It is not by any means an easy statement, nor should it be, but it is conveyed with both clarity and depth. These features, along with its personal anecdotes, case studies and crisp description of the very latest in existential analytic inquiry, will Inspire both students and professionals alike. Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy is a roadmap to poignani living."

Kirk Schneider PhD. author of Existential Integrative Therapy and The Polarized Mind

"Emmy van Deurzen's Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy is that very rare thing a book which inspires the reader and holds their altention from the first page to the last. Both learned and deeply accessible, it addresses unflinchingly the absurdity and wonder of the human condition, and shows how we can use the wisdom and insights of philosophy to become more vital and resourceful in both our everyday lives and our therapeutic practice. A classic text."

Professor Simon du Plock Middlesex University, UK

"This second edition is more than an update of a valuable text, but a refinement and development. By taking a personal and heartfelt approach, Professor van Deurzen clarifies how stormy life can be, offering insight into the ways that passion can steady the tiller as we engage with life's difficult yet inherent paradoxes. A stimulating and challenging text that encourages the reader in their search for ethical and passionate engagement with both therapeutic practice and with life more generally."

Professor Martin Milton Regent's University London, UK

"In this book Emmy van Deurzen does what she does best, taking on a wide variety of subjects and subjecting them to an original and incisive but always philosophically rigorous examination It is in turns provocative, insightful and challenging, and sometimes all three at the same time. What cannot ever be doubted is the author's passion and commitment to exploring and communicating the truths of human existence."

Martin Adams, Regent's University London, UK

Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy, Second Edition, is a fully updated edition of a classic guide to existential psychotherapy by a leading practitioner in the field. The first edition was widely praised for the author's directness and honesty in examining the therapeutic process, and the Second Edition continues that tradition by considering the personal and subjective dimensions of psychotherapy in a fresh and bold manner. The author weaves together concepts of existential psychotherapy with case studies and her own experiential observations in a seamless narrative, covering a wide range of issues, including loneliness, survival, self-understanding, love and passion. Throughout, the book provides practical and common-sense approaches to tackling sensitive issues in the therapeutic relationship, with an emphasis on transparency and authenticity for both the client and therapist