Emmy van Deurzen 
Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy 
An Existential Approach

Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy , second
edition, is a fully updated edition of a classic guide to
existential psychotherapy by one of its leading practitioner.

* Examines the personal and subjective dimensions of
psychotherapy in a fresh and bold manner

* Offers practical and common-sense approaches to tackling
sensitive issues when working with clients with an emphasis on
transparency and authenticity

* Weaves together concepts of existential psychotherapy with case
studies and the author’s experiential observations in a
seamless narrative

* Covers a wide range of intimate existential issues, including
loneliness, survival, self-understanding, love, and passion

Table of Content

About the Author ix

Preface to the Second Edition x

Preface to the First Edition xii

Acknowledgements xv

Introduction 1

Section 1 Paradox 15

Introduction: The Central Role of Paradox in Human Existence 15

1 Ontological Insecurity Revisited: Self-confidence Versus Anxiety 23

2 Courting Death: Life in the Balance 37

3 The Survival of the Self: Identity, Freedom and Disintegration 58

4 Intimacy and Love: Closeness and Distance Between Self and Other 69

5 Alienation and Adaptation: Being a Stranger in a Foreign Land 77

Section 2 Passion 87

Introduction: the Central Role of Passion in Human Existence 87

6 A Passion for Life: Rediscovering the Intensity of Living 95

7 Truth as a Touchstone: Reality and Meaning as the Bedrock of Living 106

8 Hard-earned Lessons: a Therapist’s own Journey to Self-understanding 121

9 Letting the Client’s Life Touch Yours: the Art of Resonance and Presence 143

10 The Moral Compass: How Can Counselling and Therapy Help? 158

Section 3 Existential Psychotherapy 173

Introduction: A New Way of Working 173

11 Widening Horizons: Universal Dimensions of the Human Dilemma 177

12 What is Existential Analysis? Sketch for an Existential Approach 189

13 Philosophy as Therapy: The Ultimate Goal of our Work 200

14 A New Challenge: Towards Transcendence 208

Section 4 Illustrations of Existential Work 223

Introduction: What We Can Learn From Practice 223

15 Marie-Louise: Letting Go of the Past in Order to Reclaim it 227

16 Vicky: Learning to Be More by Being Less 233

17 Peter: Finding Oneself in Spite of Psychotherapy 241

18 Jerry: Transcending Trauma 251

Conclusions 263

References 266

Index 273

About the author

Emmy van Deurzenis a Philosopher, Counselling
Psychologist, and Existential Psychotherapist. She founded
the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s
College, UK, the Society for Existential Analysis, and the New
School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, of which she continues to
be Principal. She lectures worldwide and is currently Visiting
Professor at Middlesex University, UK. She was the first chair of
the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, and was instrumental
in establishing the existential approach in the UK and Europe. Her
books include Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling in
Practice (3rd edition, 2012), Psychotherapy and the Quest
for Happiness (2008), and Everyday Mysteries
(2nd edition, 2010).