The Evidence-Based Foundations of Existential–Humanistic Therapy

"The Evidence-Based Foundations of Existential-Humanistic Therapy is a milestone in the annals of psychotherapy research. Not since Carl Rogers and colleagues’ landmark studies of client-centered therapy has a treatise more convincingly upheld the centrality of existential–humanistic principles of practice to our profession than this trail-blazing volume. As this volume demonstrates, it is high-time that existential–humanistic researchers speak for themselves about the relevance of their purview for a rapidly diversifying psychotherapeutic discipline. Even a cursory perusal of this volume makes clear that existential–humanistic and existential–integrative therapies are at the frontier of psychotherapy effectiveness research as well as the broader cultural shifts out of which this research emerges. Given the present upheaval of our times, I predict that existential–humanistic and existential–integrative therapies will soon be at the vanguard of a new emphasis in professional training and practice, and this book will be at its hub." - Kirk J. Schneider, PhD, coauthor of The Psychology of Existence; Existential-–Humanistic Therapy; author of Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy; and Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World

"This edited volume is the first of its kind; that is, it is the first systematic attempt to demonstrate the evidence-base for existential–humanistic therapy (EHT) based on the model of evidence-based practice in psychology. The editors have accomplished a challenging task of threading the needle between a conception of evidence-based psychotherapy that is too rigid and narrow to accommodate EHT, on the one hand, and demonstrating that EHT is on solid ground in terms of empirical support, on the other. This is a book that will be of great interest to any practitioners of EHT, as it not only provides evidential support for their practice but also highlights basic skills that require ongoing development as well as important multicultural competencies that are increasingly relevant in our multicultural and increasingly global world. The volume will also be essential reading in graduate courses that train students in existential and humanistic approaches to therapy." - Brent Robbins, PhD, Professor and PsyD program director, Department of Psychology, Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; President, Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (American Psychological Association Division 24)

"Wow, this is a fantastic book! It offers a solid case for the fact that existential–humanistic (EH) therapy is a valid, scientific, and empirically valid way of doing therapy. This is something we as EH practitioners have known forever, but it is good to see it in this way to support our claims and to be able to use as a touchpoint for those who fail to understand the power of a relational approach." - L. Xochitl Vallejos, PhD, LPC, Board Chair, Rocky Mountain Humanistic and Counseling Association, Colorado Springs, CO, United States

"This book describes existential–humanistic therapy (EHT) in an encouraging and hopeful tone for psychologists who seek to defend and understand it. The research presented throughout the manuscript is impeccable. The contributing authors collectively provided high-quality research that reflects both seminal studies that have been foundational to the field and studies that reflect the evolving dialogue of these topics in the literature. When such research was not available, the authors transparently identified the gap and, as is indicated in the guidelines for evidence-based practice in psychology, provided the best available research from closely aligned therapies." - Brian S. Hanna, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Hanna Psychological Services, Park Ridge, IL, United States

"Hoffman and Lac are leaders in the renaissance of contemporary existential–humanistic psychotherapy, which honors the virtues of this rich tradition but extends the concepts and practices to a greater diversity of people. This text shines bright in this same light, combining evidence-based and culturally responsive practices with the perennial wisdom shared across various existential–humanistic therapies." - Matthew Lemberger-Truelove, PhD, LMHC, Professor of Counseling, University of North Texas, Denton, TX; Fellow, American Counseling Association

"There is an urgent need to establish the evidential foundations for existential–humanistic therapy. Not only does this text take a first, giant step forward in this endeavour, but it lays the necessary foundations for further development of this evidence base. This is an essential text for those interested in existential–humanistic practice and its evolution." - Mick Cooper, DPhil, Professor of Counselling Psychology, University of Roehampton, London, England