Art,logotherapy, and the unconscious God

In this article the author outlines how art can be used in Logotherapy and Existenzanalyse to help the client uncover, discover, and make use of the meaning and spiritual potentials in his or her life. In Logotherapy and Existenzanalyse art can be used to help over-come fear of verbal communication, to help overcome fear of the spiritual and meaning potentials in the client's life, and to help the client gain awareness and contact with the unconscious God.     

Social Dominance Orientation, Hierarchy Attenuators and Hierarchy Enhancers: Social Dominance Theory and the Criminal Justice System

This study investigated differences in social dominance orientation between incumbents of different social roles (police officers vs. public defenders) and ethnic groups known to differ in general social status (i.e., whites vs. blacks and Hispanics). Consistent with theoretical expectations: (a) Police were significantly more social-dominance oriented than either jurors or public defenders. (b) Public defenders tended to be less social-dominance oriented than jurors. (c) Euro-Americans were significantly more social dominance oriented than Afro- and Hispanic-Americans, (d) Euro-American police officers had, by far, the highest levels of social dominance orientation. Furthermore, all of the effects above held even when controlling for demographic factors such as gender, social class, age, education, and ethnic group. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.     

RALPH WENDELL BURHOE AND THE TWO CULTURES

Abstract. Ralph Burhoe developed his proposals for a social reformation at a time when the “two cultures” debate was still active. It is suggested here that Burhoe, sharing with his contemporaries an understanding of culture that was Western and normative in character, overlooked the distinction between the culture of the elites and popular culture, and consequently between religion as presented by theologians and church officials and popular religion. Therefore, his proposals for the revitalization of traditional religions, even if implemented, would not work. Some contradictions within his own program are pointed out, and the social role of the sciences after World War II, as well as the ambiguities of their presence in the so-called underdeveloped nations, is analyzed. As a positive conclusion, it is suggested that Burhoe's main contribution should be sought, not in his outline for a social reformation, but in his role as an organizer of the dialogue between religion and science.     

Counselling in general practice: Issues and opportunities

The results are reported of a survey of GP counsellors and primary health care teams concerning the role and contribution of counsellors in primary care. Most of the literature argues the value of this service, which has been growing very quickly. This survey identified the principal tasks of GP counsellors, their relationship with the host team, and some of the organisational and professional dilemmas which need to be addressed. A great deal of variation wasfound in ail of these areas, which suggests the value of a protocol for GP counselling to establish minimum standards and promote best practice.     

Art in existential psychotherapy with couples and families

The authors describe and outline how art can be used in existential psychotherapy to help a couple or family uncover, discover, and make use of the meanings and meaning potentials to be found in marital and family life. In existential psychotherapy with couples and families, art can be used to help the members of the relationship notice meaning potentials in the future, honor meaning potentials that have been actualized and deposited in the past, and discover new ways to actualize meaning potentials in the here and now.     

Primary and secondary reflection in existential family therapy

The author uses Gabriel Marcel's topology of primary and secondary thought to clarify and outline the process of reflection in Existential Family Therapy. Clinical material is used to illustrate the differences between primary and secondary reflection during the practice of Existential Family Therapy.     

Marcel's “availability” in existential psychotherapy with couples and families

Gabriel Marcel was a French, Catholic, existential philosopher who first presented the concept of human availability as a central way of strengthening the self and facilitating the experience of human freedom. In this article Marcel's ideas about availability are described, reviewed, and examined for their implications for the practice of existential psychotherapy with couples and families.     

Improving our understanding of therapeutic failure: A review

This paper argues the need to consider carefully the phenomenon of therapeutic failure in counselling and psychotherapy. The scant literature on therapeutic failure is reviewed, this literature suggests that there are large individual differences in therapists' overall effectiveness. A conceptual model of therapeutic failure is proposed, organized around the assumption that failure results from a therapist's inability to meet the needs of a particular client. Suggestions aimed at reducing the likelihood of therapeutic failure are offered.