Here you will find explanations of the basic terms used in my work:
What are Existential Analysis and Logotherapy?
Existential Analysis was developed by Viktor E. Frankl in the 1930s as an anthropological theory intended to give an existential orientation to psychotherapy and counselling. At the same time Frankl developed from it Logotherapy, as a meaning-oriented form of counselling and treatment, which he first addressed comprehensively in his 1946 book “The Doctor and the Soul”.
The practical application of Logotherapy primarily involves help for persons who are not (yet) sick, but suffer from an existential sense of disorientation. Thus Logotherapy is appropriate for broad application in the realms of psychology, mental hygiene, social work, addiction prevention, nursing, and pastoral care. It can play a crucial role in the prevention of neurotic diseases and in the contraception and treatment of feelings of meaninglessness and emptiness (“existential vacuum”).
Logotherapy’s goal is the strengthening of the individually-experienced fullness of meaning (German: “Lebensdichte”) through introduction to a freely-chosen sense of personal responsibility (“Eigenverantwortlichkeit”).
Existential Analysis means analysis of the conditions for a value-conscious, self-defined and humane life. Existential Analysis has as its goal the evolvement of openness and initiative (“Hingabefähigkeit”, capacity for commitment) in our experiences, relationships and activities. Existential Analysis thus works toward (re-)creating the personal preconditions for a meaningful existence, where they have been submerged or damaged by psychological illness and disturbances. It is set against a theoretical and practical background of the “basic motivations” concept: these motivations, as “building blocks of existence”, are systematically introduced in counselling- and therapy discussions. This therapy also makes use of the “Personal Existential Analysis” methodology. This involves an existential and phenomenological method of psychotherapy which enables the treatment of psychogenic (especially neurotic) disturbances on a “Depth Psychology” basis by means of Existential Analysis. This form of Existential Analysis was developed in the GLE and is only taught there.
The GLE concept represents a continuation of the Frankl approach, in which emotionality and the biography (in particular) are brought into the process. This is especially significant in light of the fact that existential-analytical-logotherapeutic anthropology sees the individual as a being who is constantly – whether consciously or unconsciously – decisively involved in shaping her or his own life. A person can, however, only make sensible decisions when she or he is aware of the values at issue, can experience them, and can balance them against one another. This requires “open-mindedness” as opposed to (biographically-based) “self-rootedness”, as well as a means of understanding the feeling with which these values are accessed on a personal basis.
In Existential Analysis (Logotherapy) the individual is viewed not as the sum total of intra-psychic processes or environmental influences, but rather as an entity which, in the aspects of life which really count, has the capacity for “self-design”. Thus terms such as existence, relation (values), freedom to decide, and responsibility (conscience) are fundamental expressions of the existential-analytical way of thinking, which converge in the key term “meaning” (= Logos).
In pursuing these goals, Existential Analysis and Logotherapy make use of around a dozen specific methods and techniques.
© GLE International. You will find the original text here: http://www4.existential-analysis.org/Was-ist-Existenzanal.850.0.html
What is “Empowerment”?
Empowerment, as I conceive it, is the support and encouragement of perceived and consciously-sought autonomy, leading to self-determined action.
Self-empowerment, personal taking of responsibility, strengthening of individual power, autonomy, and self-disposal are key terms which are associated with the principle of empowerment and are thus goals of my work. These goals can be reached when individuals come to understand the conditions for a value-sensitive, self-conceived and decent way of life, become conscious of their own capacities, and – whether individually or together in a group – implement these elements proactively in order to live their lives autonomously.
The empowerment approach and the methods I utilize in my work are based on existential-analytical-logotherapeutic anthropology. In this process I draw on my experiences with empowerment processes both at home and in other countries.
What is meant by “Excellence”?
In the context of my work, “Excellence” refers to the nurturing and enhancement of abilities which are necessary for a successful (professional) life, or for productive cooperation in a variety of professional, political and social spheres. Beyond any purely economically-oriented “efficiency practice”, my orientation is based on models which enable a holistic view of people and organizations. In Europe the term “excellence” is strongly associated with the concept of “outstanding quality”. In African countries (Kenya, Libya, Zimbabwe) I encountered Excellence processes and methods based on an approach involving the attempt to achieve a “good” or “better” (common) existence – which includes economic qualities (which one should strive to attain) as part of the overall quality of life. In Germany this idea has its traditional place in the concept of “Good Work”, scientifically substantiated and espoused by the Federation of German Trade Unions. In my work the term “Excellence” as described here is closely tied to the above-elucidated term “Empowerment” and its accompanying framework in existential-analytical-logotherapeutic anthropology.
