Existential Therapy

Dr. Kirk J. Schneider demonstrates his existential-integrative model of therapy. Developed by Schneider with the inspiration of Rollo May and James Bugental, existential-integrative therapy is one way to engage and coordinate a variety of intervention modes (such as the pharmacological, the behavioral, the cognitive, and the analytic) within an overarching existential or experiential context. In this session, Schneider emphasizes the experiential level of contact, which gives attention to experiencing what is "alive" both within the client and between the client and the therapist. Schneider works with a 55-year-old man who is presently disabled. The client is gay, has AIDS, and is having a hard time finding a meaningful life-direction. He feels he is being discriminated against because of his sexual orientation and illness. Schneider helps him to understand how his reactions can both keep him from transforming and potentially mobilize that very transformation.--Publisher's description.