Rediscovering existential psychotherapy: the contribution of Ludwig Binswanger.
Ludwig Binswanger, a founder of the existential school of psychiatry, attempted to apply philosophical ideas derived from Martin Heidegger, such as Heidegger's views on the mind-body problem, to the understanding and treatment of psychiatric patients. Binswanger also interpreted Heidegger's concept of the existing individual (Dasein) as Being-in-the-World, in the sense of seeking out the existential structure of individuals' lives. I discuss concrete clinical cases from Binswanger's work, along with a contemporary example of how to use these existential methods in psychiatric practice.
Ghaemi
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Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA.
D005086:Existentialism / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000266:history*; D012649:Self Concept; D013557:Switzerland