Personalities
Prominent Figures in Existentialism
Existential Philosophers and Psychotherapists
Although existentialism cannot be confined to a unified school of thought, and many of its major figures differ significantly in their views, the common thread linking all these thinkers and therapists is their concern for human beings as they live and exist in the world. Both the existential philosophers and existential psychotherapists presented in this section emphasize that human existence cannot be objectified and, consequently, cannot be justified or captured within an abstract system; it can only be perceived and made meaningful through the concrete choices and actions of the existing individual. In the following paragraphs, you will find a brief summary outlining a small portion of their work, which is worthy of close attention and in-depth study.
Existential Philosophers
Hannah Arendt
1906-1975
Hannah Arendt was a prominent 20th-century philosopher and political theorist, known for her existential ideas that influenced philosophy, politics, and sociology.
Arendt’s central existential idea focuses on human existence and the significance of action. She argued that action is the individual’s capacity to create and transform the world, and she recognized the need for dialogue and political engagement as fundamental elements of our creation and participation in the world. Arendt also examined the phenomenon of alienation in modern society, where individuals may lose conscious involvement in public life, and she developed the concepts of “exteriority” — as the capacity for people to engage with and change the world — and “unrepentant commitment” to the pursuit of truth. Many of her ideas remain relevant today, continuing to inspire thought and action in the contemporary world.
Hazel Barnes
1915-2008
Hazel Estella Barnes was an American philosopher and translator, known for her work in philosophy, particularly in existential philosophy.
Her influence was highly significant in disseminating the works of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus in English and promoting existential thought within Western philosophy. Barnes translated important works such as Camus’s The Stranger and Sartre’s Man Is Condemned to Be Free. She also contributed her ideas to political discourse and the development of philosophical thought through books and articles on freedom, existence, and human nature. Barnes played a crucial role in the advancement of existential philosophy and in spreading its ideas through translation and authorship of numerous articles. Although she did not identify as a philosopher, her work as a translator and writer had a major impact on the philosophical community.
Simone de Beauvoir
1908-1986
Simone de Beauvoir was a 20th-century French writer, philosopher, and feminist who had a significant influence on existential philosophy and for many years was the lifelong partner of philosopher J. P. Sartre.
Perhaps her best-known work is The Second Sex, a feminist analysis of women’s existence and oppression, in which she examines the position of women in society and the significance of female existence. In this work, she develops many existential ideas concerning power, freedom, and self-realization. She argues that women have been established in society as “the Other” rather than as autonomous subjects, and that women’s liberation requires the rejection of all female stereotypes and the assertion of their capacity to create their own identity, emphasizing the crucial importance of personal choice. For Beauvoir, freedom is essential for the realization of true self-fulfillment and human dignity.
Nikolai Berdyaev
1915-2008
Nikolai Berdyaev was a 20th-century Russian philosopher and theologian, known primarily for his existential ideas developed in dialogue with Russian philosophy and Orthodox Christian faith.
Berdyaev strongly criticized rationalism and materialism, consistently emphasizing the profound importance of individual existence and human freedom, as he believed each person has a unique existence and is fully responsible for their actions. For Berdyaev, freedom is the capacity to choose and create oneself, as well as the responsibility for those choices. In The Unknown Self, he examines the relationship between authentic existence and society, recognizing the need for spiritual transformation and deep inner self-knowledge to cultivate genuine authenticity. His work made a significant contribution to existential philosophy with ideas on freedom, authentic existence, and human nature.
Martin Buber
1878-1965
Martin Buber was a German-Jewish philosopher and theologian who had a significant impact on existential philosophy through his philosophy of dialogue and the relationship with the Other.
In his seminal work I and Thou, he develops his pioneering ideas on the dialectical relationship between the individual and the world, emphasizing the dialogical nature of existence. Buber argues that true meaning and spiritual experience arise from the “I-Thou” relationship, in which the individual encounters the other as a person, not an object. This recognition of the other as a person constitutes, for Buber, the core of human existence and of the dialectical relationship. Buber also explored spiritual quest and religious experience. He maintained that human existence seeks connection with the Absolute, as this relationship is crucial for spiritual development and serves as a guiding light for every existence.
Albert Camus
1913-1960
Albert Camus was a French-Algerian writer and philosopher who shaped many of the ideas of existential humanism.
In his works, he develops the concept of tragic existence and the profound alienation of the individual in the world. Camus regards the world as an impersonal and absurd place, where humans confront the absence of meaning and rejection. He acknowledges the lack of absolute truth and value, yet simultaneously urges individuals to create their own meaning and worth through conscious action and choice. Camus’s existential ideas call on humans to discover and continually create themselves, often through the painful recognition and integration of the contradictions inherent in human existence. Ultimately, he promotes the idea of uncompromising freedom, where the individual is free to choose their own path regardless of social, political, or religious constraints.
Hans Georg Gadamer
1900-2002
Hans-Georg Gadamer, a German philosopher, is known for his contribution to existential philosophy and hermeneutics.
In his works, he developed a theory that challenges objectivity and absolute truth, focusing on the role of interpretation and culture in understanding the world, while recognizing the importance of historical and cultural context. Interpretation is not merely a technique but represents the ongoing interaction between humans and the world, highlighting the significance of our dialectical relationship. Furthermore, he examined the nature of knowledge and truth, arguing that understanding presupposes the subject’s participation in interpretation. This participation creates a framework in which human experiences and beliefs shape understanding, pointing toward an attitude of dialogue, continuous discovery, and engagement with the world.
Jose Ortega y Gasset
1883-1955
José Ortega y Gasset was an important Spanish philosopher and writer, known for his existential ideas and for promoting the concept of responsibility and individual freedom.
In his work, he emphasizes the need for personal independence and self-awareness, as individuals must recognize themselves and examine their lives to discover their true selves. His writings highlight the importance of self-consciousness and advocate independence from the masses. Gasset argued that people need to take responsibility for their personal existence and approach life as a continuous challenge. He also explored the concept of resistance as a means of countering the monotony and indifference of the masses and stressed the significance of cultural factors in shaping individual identity, maintaining that personal freedom should be combined with respect for our spiritual heritage.
Martin Heidegger
1889-1976
Martin Heidegger remains one of the most influential and widely studied philosophers of the 20th century and a central figure in existential philosophy.
His main existential ideas are grounded in his work Being and Time, where Heidegger focuses on the concept of Being and human existence, exploring how individuals exist in the world and define their personal identity. For Martin Heidegger, human existence is a continuous quest for truth and understanding through action, perception, and one’s relationship with time. Another key element in Heidegger’s philosophy is the concept of existential anxiety, which highlights the fear and uncertainty inherent in human existence. For Martin Heidegger, anxiety reveals how humans confront the mystery of their own being and serves as the primary pathway to recognizing the significance of an authentic existence in the world.
Karl Jaspers
1883-1969
Karl Jaspers was a German philosopher, theologian, and psychiatrist who significantly contributed to existential philosophy and psychotherapy.
His core existential ideas are summarized in his work Existenzphilosophie, where he examines human existence and freedom. Jaspers believed that human existence confronts the paradox of freedom and insecurity and argued that individuals must take personal responsibility for their choices, even if this entails uncertainty and anxiety. For him, authentic existence requires deep self-understanding, as each person seeks their own truth throughout life. Another important element of his philosophy is the concept of the dialectic, where humans examine truth through dialogue and collaboration. He made a decisive contribution to human freedom and authentic existence, often emphasizing the value of self-awareness and self-determination.
Soren Kierkegaard
1813-1855
Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher and theologian, regarded by many scholars as a precursor of the existential approach.
He was the first philosopher to highlight the concept of existential anxiety, focusing on the subjectivity of individual experience, and described many of the contradictions of the human condition. For Kierkegaard, the notion of anxiety is rooted in the sense of freedom and the responsibility of the individual for their personal choices. As a man of deep faith in God, he believed that true faith presupposes both anxiety and the quest, as humans confront the contradictions between the divine and spiritual infinity and the limitations of human existence. He was also among the first philosophers to describe the concept of authenticity in human experience and emphasized the need to accept uncertainty and anxiety at the core of every human journey.
Gabriel Marcel
1889-1973
Gabriel Marcel was a French philosopher and playwright who, throughout his career, explored the nature of human existence and metaphysical faith.
Marcel recognized the significance of mystery and love as central themes in his existential philosophy. He emphasized the need to preserve individuality and human dignity in an increasingly technocratic society, focusing on human suffering and the deepening of human experience. Marcel’s existential ideas highlight the importance of personal experience, love, and human interaction as means for developing authentic existence. A central aim of his inquiry was the revelation of individual existence and its relationship to the world. He argued that existence is more important than essence and that human life emerges through relationships, love, and interaction, underscoring the need for commitment and depth in our connections.
Maurice Merleau-Ponty
1908-1961
Maurice Merleau-Ponty was a French philosopher who extensively engaged with phenomenology and existential philosophy throughout his career.
His existential ideas are primarily expressed in his influential work Phenomenology of Perception. Merleau-Ponty focused on human perception and the way individuals actively experience the world. He argued that perception is not merely an abstract process but is directly connected to the embodied dimension of the individual. One of the central themes in Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy is human embodiment and the relationship between the body and consciousness. He emphasized the importance of the body as a means of discovering reality and truth, as for him every human experience is closely tied to our bodily dimension, and he maintained that the embodied nature of human perception provides a unique way of accessing the world that shapes existence.
Friedrich Nietzsche
1844-1900
Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher known for his existential thought, which profoundly influenced modern philosophy.
In his works, he introduces the concept of the Übermensch as a revolutionary and existential hero. Nietzsche criticized the rigid social and moral norms of his time, urging individuals to transcend traditional limitations and courageously discover their own unique identity. He argued that people must live with passion, self-respect, and creativity, consistently seeking their personal truth and continually challenging conventional social values. Nietzsche presented an existential perspective that reinforced the idea of self-determination and autonomy, emphasizing the importance of authentic existence and individual freedom through self-development and liberation from mass patterns or indifference, encouraging individuals to discover ultimate freedom.
Paul Ricoeur
1913-2005
Paul Ricoeur was a French philosopher known for his significant contributions to phenomenology, hermeneutic philosophy, and literature.
Ricoeur’s existential ideas focus on the importance of interpretation, literature, and mutual understanding as means for discovering truth and the meaningful dimension of human existence. He explored the concept of existence and self-examination, investigating how human existence interacts with the world and seeks meaning. In works such as The Symbolism of Evil and Oneself as Another, he examined the importance of both self-understanding and understanding others. Ricoeur also showed great interest in literature as a medium for expressing human existence and self-knowledge, arguing that narrative and interpretation can reveal the complexity of human experience and enable the discovery of new aspects of existence.
Jean-Paul Sartre
1905-1980
Jean-Paul Sartre was a French philosopher and writer, and one of the leading figures of existential philosophy.
Sartre’s existential ideas are expressed throughout his works, as he promoted the notion of existence preceding essence, vigorously arguing that humans are inherently born free and consciously responsible and understand their existence through their choices and actions. He examined the importance of authenticity and personal responsibility, maintaining that individuals are free to shape their own reality. Another central theme in Sartre’s philosophy is anguish, which arises from the recognition of the vastness of choices and inherent human freedom. He argued that this anguish is part of the human condition and that we must confront the responsibility of our freedom, actively embracing and confronting it, as this shapes our attitude toward the world and our personal identity.
Edith Stein
1891-1942
Edith Stein was a German philosopher and theologian, known for her existential philosophical positions developed in dialogue with phenomenology and Karl Jaspers.
Stein focused on the concept of the existential self, arguing that human existence is always deeply and inseparably intertwined with society and individual responsibility. She emphasized the individual inner world and the importance of self-consciousness, highlighting that personal self-awareness is an integral part of human existence in the pursuit of truth about the world. Stein also examined in depth the role of religion in human experience, and by rejecting atheistic existentialism, she transformed religion into a central element of personal search and self-realization. Over time, Stein shifted her focus completely from phenomenology to theology, ultimately moving away from the existential approach entirely.
Paul Tillich
1886-1965
Paul Tillich was a German-American theologian and philosopher, known for his existential ideas that connected religion with human existence.
His main philosophical inquiry developed through dialogue with phenomenology and existentialism, consistently exploring the profound depths of human existence and meaning. Tillich examined the role of faith in human existence and its relationship with doubt. He argued that faith is the search for ultimate reference, and that human existence must overcome indifference and distance from the ultimate. In his work The Dynamics of Faith, he explains that faith does not exclude doubt, but incorporates it as an integral part of the religious experience. He also showed great interest in the concept of human destiny and the relationship between human experience and religion. His ideas deeply influenced theology and philosophy, paving the way for a deeper understanding of existence.
Miguel de Unamuno
1864-1936
Miguel de Unamuno was a Spanish philosopher, writer, and poet, with a significant influence on Spanish philosophy and literature.
In contrast to the traditional positions of his time, Unamuno promoted the notion of doubt and questioning as fundamental features of human existence, consistently highlighting their essential role in shaping individual consciousness and self-understanding. He argued that human life is characterized by the continuous search for truth and personal identity. Unamuno placed human doubt and inquiry at the center of spiritual life, maintaining that anguish and uncertainty are driving forces of creativity and spiritual growth. His existential ideas criticized simplistic faith and emphasized the importance of authenticity in the search for truth. His contributions played a key role in the existential dialogue of the 20th century and continue to be studied and discussed in both philosophy and literature.
Simone Weil
1909-1943
Simone Weil was a French philosopher, theologian, and writer, known for her existential positions expressed through her critique of social bonds.
Weil examined the concept of absolute truth and the human need to connect with something greater than oneself, stressing the essential role of spiritual attentiveness, contemplation, and moral responsibility in daily human life. She argued that human existence is marked by suffering and the need for connection with a higher spiritual dimension. She also explored the issues of isolation and detachment from society, emphasizing the importance of silence, reflection, and self-isolation for achieving spiritual growth and unity with the spiritual. Many of her works highlight the significance of self-awareness, solidarity, and love as paths toward human truth. She strongly maintained that solidarity and justice are fundamental values at the core of a humane society.
Existential Psychotherapists
Laura Barnett
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Laura Barnett is an existential psychotherapist, counselor, and supervisor, registered in the United Kingdom and across Europe through the EAP.
In addition to her work spanning more than 20 years in English NHS hospitals, where she managed two specialized psychotherapy services for cancer patients and their caregivers, Barnett has shown a particular interest in the dialogue between existential philosophy and therapeutic practice. This, combined with her training in systemic psychotherapy, allows her to perceive a broader understanding of her clients’ experiences. She has contributed articles and books on existential therapy and supervision and has demonstrated a strong interest in how past traumas are held in the body, as well as the pressures of everyday life, while incorporating insights from Sensorimotor Psychotherapy into her therapeutic approach.
Ludwig Binswanger
1881-1966
Ludwig Binswanger was a Swiss psychiatrist and one of the first psychotherapists to emphasize the significance of human existence within the context of psychotherapy.
His contribution to existential psychotherapy is unique, as he was the first to attempt integrating the ideas of existential philosophy into therapeutic practice. Binswanger developed the foundational principles of Daseinsanalysis, a psychotherapeutic approach based on interpretive phenomenology and the understanding of human existence. He also introduced the concept of personology to psychotherapy, referring to the study of how individuals shape their identity and their relationship with the world, and he advanced the idea of existential therapy, which focuses on consciousness, self-discovery, and the development of personal authenticity, offering a deeper understanding of human existence.
Medard Boss
1903-1990
Medard Boss was a Swiss psychoanalytic psychiatrist who developed Daseinsanalysis, combining psychoanalytic practice with the existential phenomeno-logical philosophy of his friend and mentor, Martin Heidegger.
Boss’s main contribution lies in developing existential psychotherapy, which focuses on human existence and individual authenticity. Drawing on Heidegger’s philosophy, Boss emphasized authentic self-awareness and the pursuit of personal truth, strengthening existential psychotherapy and conscious personal development. His influences were crucial in shaping the evolution of Daseinsanalysis. For several years, he organized seminars in Zollikon, Switzerland, emphasizing existence, personal experience, and authentic living, and he remains one of the most influential psychiatrists and thinkers of the existential school.
James Bugental
1915-2008
James Bugental was an American existential-humanistic psychotherapist who developed several very important principles in the field of psychotherapy.
At the core of his work are authenticity and self-awareness. He believed that the essence of human existence lies in an individual’s ability to discover their subjective truth and live according to their values. Through his work, he emphasized the significance of the here-and-now experience, promoting the concepts of presence and mindfulness of the current moment as a fundamental element of psychotherapy. He encouraged his clients to discover their personal strength and capacity for change and growth. Bugental’s ideas have left a significant mark on psycho-therapeutic practice, reinforcing the focus on authenticity, lived experience, and the empowerment of the individual throughout the therapeutic process.
Gion Condrau
1919-2006
Gion Condrau was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, known for his contributions to Dasein analysis, a theory he developed by restructuring Binswanger’s approach to Heidegger’s work.
A student and close collaborator of Medard Boss, he became his primary successor after Boss’s death. He studied psychiatry and engaged in psychoanalysis, though he initially questioned the ethics of therapy. Despite his reservations, he entered Dasein analysis, appreciating the importance of an open approach to life. He played a leading role in founding the Swiss Society for Daseinsanalytic Anthropology, with work including numerous publications in psychotherapy, psychosomatics, and dream analysis. His philosophy in Dasein analysis included a critical approach to Freud and Boss, committed to pursuing freedom and truth in therapeutic practice.
Mick Cooper
1965
Mick Cooper is an existential psychotherapist and author from the United Kingdom who has made significant contributions to the field of existential psychotherapy.
Cooper has developed a pluralistic approach to psychotherapy that aims for a collaborative, integrative perspective, deeply rooted in existential, humanistic, and person-centered values. His fundamental principle is that each client is unique and may therefore require different things from therapy, striving for a framework in which practitioners can incorporate a wide range of perspectives and methods into their practice. This includes shared decision-making with clients regarding what they want and how they can be most effectively supported in achieving it. His approach also emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness, adapting interventions to meet the evolving needs of each client. His key ideas include awareness, emotional attunement, connectedness, and individuality.
Erik Craig
1944
Erik Craig is an American psychologist and existential psychotherapist with a background in humanistic, existential, and Dasein psychology.
Craig has trained for many years with some of the founders of these existential approaches, and in recent years he has studied Eastern approaches to depth psychotherapy, particularly Taoist Psychotherapy practices and philosophies. He has been teaching, practicing clinically, and writing extensively in the field of existential and humanistic psychology for over 40 years, and continues to teach and train professionals worldwide. His main interest lies in the broader development of phenomenological and interpretive foundations to understand critical issues in psychological theory, research, and practice, with the aim of achieving a renewed, integrated perspective on psychology and psychotherapy that incorporates the concepts of time, presence, love, and death.
Emmy van Deurzen
1951
The Dutch Emmy van Deurzen is perhaps the most recognized contemporary existential therapist with international influence in the field of psychology.
Deurzen stands out as a prominent figure in psychotherapy, promoting the existential approach. Throughout her career, she has devoted much of her time to developing and advancing existential psychotherapy, combining philosophy with therapeutic practice. With a strong foundation in existential philosophy, she has developed a psychotherapeutic approach emphasizing individual authenticity, freedom of expression, and sensitivity to human experiences. Through her work, she has significantly influenced the field, having taught and written extensively, and participated in leadership roles at governmental, national, and international levels within philosophical, existential, and humanistic psychology.
Viktor Frankl
1905-1997
Viktor Frankl was an Austrian psychiatrist and philosopher, best known for developing logotherapy, a form of existential psychotherapy emphasizing the importance of finding meaning in life.
Of Jewish heritage, Frankl was born in Vienna and worked as a psychiatrist before and during World War II. His harrowing experience in Nazi concentration camps, where he tragically lost his entire family, had a profound impact on him. From this traumatic experience, he concluded that the ability to find meaning even in the most difficult circumstances is fundamental to human existence, as it deeply connects us to the values we consider essential in life. In his seminal work Man’s Search for Meaning, he vividly describes his experiences in the camps and analyzes the crucial significance of meaning for mental health and resilience. He left behind a profound spiritual legacy that continues to influence psychology and philosophy.
Erich Fromm
1900-1980
Erich Fromm was a German sociologist, psychoanalyst, and philosopher, known for his studies on human nature, society, culture, and human psychology.
Fromm studied psychology and sociology, and after the rise of Nazism, he emigrated to the United States. In his work, he explored the social and psychological effects of modern life, focusing on the dimensions of freedom and alienation. He argued that humans have a natural need for love, connection, and meaningful relationships, but are often distanced from these due to social structures and cultural pressures. In his writings, he developed the concepts of productive love and self-actualization, emphasizing that true happiness arises from creativity, responsibility, and sustained inner growth. A proponent of Marxist thought, he also critically examined consumer culture, arguing that it isolates, alienates, and diminishes human potential for authentic fulfillment.
Alice Holzhey-Kunz
1943
Alice Holzhey-Kunz is a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist, known for her significant contributions to Daseinsanalysis.
With studies in philosophy, history, psychiatry, and neurology, she trained under Medard Boss at the Dasein-Analytical Institute in Zurich, focusing on the combined use of philosophical and psychological theories. She has published important books and numerous articles in edited volumes and journals, and in recent years has overseen the new edition of selected works by Ludwig Binswanger. Her work examines the individual’s relationship to existence and its implications for the therapeutic process. Her approach integrates elements of Heidegger’s philosophy and Boss’s ideas, emphasizing the significance of existence and consciousness. Thanks to her contributions, she is regarded as one of the most distinguished representatives of Daseinsanalysis.
Orah Krug
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Orah T. Krug is an American psychotherapist and author specializing in existential psychotherapy and developmental psychology.
Born in Israel with roots in Palestine, Krug has dedicated her professional life to developing existential psychotherapy and supporting individuals facing personal challenges, trauma, and difficulties. She has worked as a trainer of other professionals, authored and co-authored books and articles on existential psychotherapy, and developed the concept of self-care and its importance for personal growth, resilience, and empowerment. Her work focuses on the overall enhancement of mental health and the promotion of self-awareness, helping people discover their inner strength and courage, confront life’s challenges, and providing them with tools to address personal difficulties and achieve lasting inner balance.
R. D. Laing
1927-1989
Ronald David Laing was an English psychiatrist of Scottish descent who was a pioneer in psychoanalytic and psychotherapeutic practice.
Laing diverged from the classical psychiatric thinking and practices of his time, emphasizing the importance of human communication and the exploration of the emotions of psychiatric patients. His main contributions include the development of an existential-humanistic psychotherapeutic stance for psychiatry, an approach centered on trust and authentic communication with the patient. He argued that many mental health problems stem from relational disturbances and family dynamics. He authored several books examining the impact of society on mental health, highlighting the significance of emotions and authentic communication in the therapeutic process and in supporting individuals’ autonomy.
Alfried Längle
1951
Alfried Längle is an Austrian existential psychotherapist and a leading representative and proponent of the existential-logotherapeutic approach today.
A central pillar of his work is based on the theories and methods of Victor Frankl, the Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist known for developing logotherapy, or therapy through meaning, which emphasizes human purpose and existential fulfillment. This theory is grounded in the belief that human existence has deep meaning and purpose, and that the search for this meaning is a fundamental aspect of the human psyche. According to Längle’s therapeutic approach, people can confront life’s difficulties and challenges by recognizing the meaning in their experiences—that is, by attributing meaning and purpose to their lives—and that this search can serve as a powerful driving force for positive change and personal well-being.
Rollo May
1909-1994
Rollo May was an American psychologist and psychotherapist who emerged as a significant figure in the field of existential psychology.
May had a profound awareness of human anxiety and doubt, arguing that these challenging experiences can foster creativity, resilience, and personal growth. He emphasized human experience based on existential philosophy and the pursuit of authentic, deep unity between the individual, the self, and the world, highlighting the need for genuine communication, empathy, and emotional expression. May viewed psychotherapy as an open, collaborative dialogue between therapist and client, approaching treatment through a combination of existential and humanistic elements, and maintained that personal development occurs through specific stages in which the individual actively confronts life’s challenges.
Eugene Minkowski
1885-1972
Eugène Minkowski was a French psychiatrist and philosopher of Jewish descent, born in Poland, known primarily for his contributions to psychology and psychiatry.
He is considered a leading figure in phenomenological psychiatry due to his translation of many theoretical and abstract philosophical concepts into clinical practice, influenced by the works of Henri Bergson and Max Scheler. He is especially known for his theory in existential psychiatry, which focuses on the importance of experience and subjectivity in understanding mental illness. Minkowski developed the concept of temporality in patients’ lives, emphasizing how the perception of time affects mental states, while integrating psychiatry with philosophical and humanistic approaches, thereby influencing therapeutic methods and the philosophy of mental health. A prolific writer and dedicated humanist, he deeply explored human experience, self-awareness, and existence.
Clark Moustakas
1923-2012
Clark Moustakas was an American psychologist who developed the psychotherapeutic method of thematic analysis and was one of the leading experts in humanistic, existential, and clinical psychology.
Moustakas promoted the concept of deep engagement with experience and authentic human encounter in psychotherapy, encouraging self-discovery and individual empowerment. He argued that therapy should be a process of exploration, in which the client examines personal thoughts and feelings, while the psychotherapist emphasizes the need for authentic, open, and collaborative interaction to investigate the deeper, meaningful issues in the client’s life, ultimately contributing to self-discovery, self-understanding, and greater emotional insight. Moustakas also maintained that therapy should be experimental, flexible, and present-focused, as the client actively explores the context shaping their experiences in the here and now, fostering growth, resilience, and heightened self-awareness.
Kirk Schneider
1956
Kirk J. Schneider is an American psychologist and psychotherapist who has developed a humanistic and existential approach to psychotherapy.
His method focuses on exploring human emotions and experiences and is based on the idea that people face profound anxiety and doubt regarding their existence and their place in the world. Rather than avoiding this anxiety, Schneider encourages his clients to engage openly and courageously with their experience of being, recognizing, understanding, and confronting their concerns, the contradictions of life, and complex, often hidden aspects of the self. His approach aims to create a safe, supportive, and coherent space for exploring these difficulties, actively promoting authenticity, creativity, emotional intelligence, and the open expression of feelings to enhance self-awareness, personal growth, meaningful relationships, and emotional resilience, while emphasizing their profound therapeutic value in both everyday life and long-term development.
Ernesto Spinelli
1949
Ernesto Spinelli is a British existential psychotherapist and author, widely recognized for his significant contributions to existential and phenomenological psychotherapy.
Spinelli’s existential approach is grounded in a phenomenological method characterized by the “I don’t know” stance, leading to a therapeutic perspective that fosters a deeper understanding of human experiences to address individuals’ underlying challenges and contradictions. He acknowledges that human existence is full of paradoxes, doubts, and dualities, promoting the acceptance of all aspects of human experience. To date, he has edited numerous important books and articles on the existential approach, and his ideas have had a broad and lasting influence on contemporary phenomenological psycho-therapeutic practice, significantly shaping clinical applications and encouraging the open exploration of profound human concerns and a wider, more integrated understanding of existence.
Irvin Yalom
1931
Irvin D. Yalom is an American psychiatrist and psychotherapist who has dedicated a large part of his life to the dissemination and development of existential-psychodynamic psychotherapy.
He has published numerous works on the existential approach, and his contributions are considered a highly significant and influential factor in the global recognition and influence of existential psychotherapy. Yalom focuses on psychodynamic therapy through the exploration of central existential concerns, such as mortality, freedom, loneliness, and meaning. He strongly advocates the importance of honesty and openness in psychotherapeutic practice, as well as the development of an emotional connection with clients, and is well known for his humanistic approach and emphasis on the crucial significance of the therapist-client relationship, promoting the idea that compassion, appreciation, and authenticity are essential characteristics of effective psychotherapy.