Logotherapy

Logotherapy, founded by Viktor E. Frankl, is an existential approach that posits a “will to meaning”—the drive to find purpose in life—as a primary motivational force. It helps individuals identify and pursue personal meaning to cope with adversity and psychological distress.

Key Points:

• Central Tenets:
  1. Freedom of Will: Even in dire circumstances, humans can choose their attitudes and responses.
  2. Will to Meaning: The primary human motivation is to find meaning.
  3. Meaning in Life: Individuals can discover meaning in work, love, suffering, and creativity.
• Applications: Often used to help individuals facing existential crises, chronic illness, grief, or trauma, guiding them to transform suffering into purpose.
• Techniques: Paradoxical intention (using humor or exaggeration to confront anxieties), dereflection (shifting focus away from the self), and Socratic dialogue (helping clients discover personal truths).