Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis

Systems of Psychotherapy:
A Transtheoretical Analysis
An Early Existential Therapist:
Medard Boss

1903 - 1991
Heavily influenced by Freud
Integrated Heidegger’s ideas with Freud’s methods
Wrote Daseinanalysis & Psychoanalysis
Prof of psychoanalysis at University of Zurich
An Early Existential Therapist:
Rollo May

1909 - 1994
Trained in theology & clinical psychology (psych was not addressing existential questions so he turned to theology)
Studied with Alfred Adler
Contracted TB when completing Ph.D.
Found meaning in adversity


Theory of Personality

Personality is an emerging, a becoming, a process of being
Not fixed or characterized by traits
Being & world are inseparable
To understand a human being is to understand the world he/she constructs
Three Levels of our World

Umwelt (in-nature): ourselves in relation to biological & physical aspects
Mitwelt (with-others): world of persons; the social world
Eigenwelt (for-ourselves): the way we reflect on, evaluate, & experience ourselves
Core Constructs

Authenticity
Existential anxiety
nonbeing
meaninglessness
isolation & loneness
Finiteness
Existential givens
Intentionality
Theory of Psychopathology