Meaning-centered psychotherapy
a socratic clinical practice
pp. 59-78
in: Stefan E. Schulenberg (ed), Clarifying and furthering existential psychotherapy, Berlin, Springer, 2016Abstract
Research findings have systematically pointed out the importance of addressing meaning in life in several mental health disorders and, therefore, in clinical practice. The growing interest in Meaning-centered interventions has allowed for the consolidation of a strong theoretical model of clinical practice suitable to the needs of today's clinicians. This document elaborates on a logotherapeutic model of psychotherapy. Meaning-centered therapy and logotherapy (meaning therapy or therapy through meaning) are used interchangeably throughout the paper. The article reviews the basic tenets underlying Meaning-centered psychotherapy, summarizes the working model for clinical practice, and expands on the application of the Socratic dialogue technique in individual therapy as well as in group logotherapy. Final comments emphasize the importance of research for the advancement of logotherapy.