Practising Existential Psychotherapy: The Relational World

"Ernesto Spinelli provides an excellent account of existential psychotherapy in which he demonstrates the inter-related focus of his work. He combines his theoretical discussion with illustrative clinical examples and also provides exercises related to the theme which serves to make this a good book for trainees and trainers in the psychotherapy field. However, having made that point, I also wish to emphasize that I would recommend this book for all practising professionals who are interested in existential ways of working."
~ Written on 2008-02-24

"Ernesto Spinelli's books are notable for the degree to which they provide an accessable whilst challenging entry into the practice of existential therapy. In contrast to the often dark and confusing ramblings of many in the psychotherapy field his discussions of existential practice are clear and relatively free of Heideggerian hyphens. This text provides both an overview of the phiosophical and theoretical basis of existential therapy and suggests that the 'essence' of existential theory can be identified as the focus on relatedness, anxiety and uncertainty. Of particular value to the student psychotherapist or psychologist as well as the more advanced practitioner is the second half of the book which presents a framework for the practice of existential therapy according to a three phase model. Each of these overlapping phases is discussed in terms of the presence of relatedness, anxiety and uncertainty for both client as well as practitioner. Spinelli's model of practice opens many avenues of potential dialogue with other approaches to therapy and as such will have a very wide appeal. An excellent text that, along with all of this authors previous works, belongs on the shelf of all existentially informed practitioners whatever their preferred brand name!"
~ Written on 2008-02-06