Tales from the Valley of Death

Tales from the Valley of Death PDF Author: Ross G. Menzies
Publisher: Australian Academic Press
ISBN: 1925644375
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
The dread of death is a problem nearly as old as time itself. Our awareness of our own mortality has been famously referred to by William James as ‘the worm at the core’ of human existence, lingering in the shadows of our daily lives.  It is something we must all grapple with. Yet, increasing scientific evidence suggests that ‘death anxiety’ may lie at the heart of a multitude of mental health conditions, driving numerous clinically-relevant behaviours. What can we learn about confronting mortality from the tales of individuals who have been gripped by mental illness and the dread of death? Tales from the Valley of Death explores the complex lives of individuals who have been crippled by death-related fears and related existential issues as revealed by candid interviews with their psychotherapist, internationally renowned clinical psychologist Professor Ross Menzies. Vivid first-hand accounts reveal their private histories, core thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that drove their mental health dilemmas. For some, the struggle has gone on for years as they tried different therapies and therapists. A platform for the wealth of mental and behavioural processes brought to life through these 10 fascinating tales is provided by Rachel Menzies, a leading researcher in death anxiety and daughter of Ross. Her engaging introduction on the history and psychological underpinnings of death anxiety bookends neatly with a comprehensive concluding examination of what these stories reveal about its causes and effects. As we listen in on the interviews, it is hard not to be struck by how fascinating these individuals are, how compelling their histories have been, and how hard they have fought to overcome their difficulties, bravely wading their way through the murky territory of the same existential dilemmas we all must face. Their fears range from sudden death by fire to assassins in the shadows, from anaphylactic shock to a multitude of diseases, from being attacked by dinosaurs lurking in kitchen cupboards to being pushed off cliffs and in front of trains. For many, the ultimate fear is the wrath of God while for others, a lack of meaning and a pervasive sense of pointlessness drove their mental difficulties. Tales from the Valley of Death shows us the many ways that the dread of death and fear of impermanence can strike at the heart of the human experience and the power of effective therapy to improve the lives of others.

Tales from the Valley of Death

Tales from the Valley of Death PDF Author: Ross G. Menzies
Publisher: Australian Academic Press
ISBN: 1925644375
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 269

Get Book

Book Description
The dread of death is a problem nearly as old as time itself. Our awareness of our own mortality has been famously referred to by William James as ‘the worm at the core’ of human existence, lingering in the shadows of our daily lives.  It is something we must all grapple with. Yet, increasing scientific evidence suggests that ‘death anxiety’ may lie at the heart of a multitude of mental health conditions, driving numerous clinically-relevant behaviours. What can we learn about confronting mortality from the tales of individuals who have been gripped by mental illness and the dread of death? Tales from the Valley of Death explores the complex lives of individuals who have been crippled by death-related fears and related existential issues as revealed by candid interviews with their psychotherapist, internationally renowned clinical psychologist Professor Ross Menzies. Vivid first-hand accounts reveal their private histories, core thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that drove their mental health dilemmas. For some, the struggle has gone on for years as they tried different therapies and therapists. A platform for the wealth of mental and behavioural processes brought to life through these 10 fascinating tales is provided by Rachel Menzies, a leading researcher in death anxiety and daughter of Ross. Her engaging introduction on the history and psychological underpinnings of death anxiety bookends neatly with a comprehensive concluding examination of what these stories reveal about its causes and effects. As we listen in on the interviews, it is hard not to be struck by how fascinating these individuals are, how compelling their histories have been, and how hard they have fought to overcome their difficulties, bravely wading their way through the murky territory of the same existential dilemmas we all must face. Their fears range from sudden death by fire to assassins in the shadows, from anaphylactic shock to a multitude of diseases, from being attacked by dinosaurs lurking in kitchen cupboards to being pushed off cliffs and in front of trains. For many, the ultimate fear is the wrath of God while for others, a lack of meaning and a pervasive sense of pointlessness drove their mental difficulties. Tales from the Valley of Death shows us the many ways that the dread of death and fear of impermanence can strike at the heart of the human experience and the power of effective therapy to improve the lives of others.

When Death Enters the Therapeutic Space

When Death Enters the Therapeutic Space PDF Author: Laura Barnett
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134117019
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
Although it is a natural and inescapable part of life, death is a subject that is often neglected in psychotherapeutic literature and training. In When Death Enters the Therapeutic Space Laura Barnett and her contributors offer us insights into working with mortality in the therapeutic encounter. Taking an existential perspective, the book brings together a variety of client groups, all of whom have experienced a confrontation with mortality, and encourages the reader to engage with and reflect upon the subject of death. Although this may initially evoke anxiety and distress, Barnett and her contributors introduce the reader to the 'vitality of death' (Koestenbaum): an energy and focus that can come from confronting our greatest fears and anxieties, including the anxiety aroused by our own mortality. Topics covered include: philosophical roots and principal approaches to existential therapy health related issues including cancer, HIV and Intensive Care surviving violent trauma creating a safe space for the client short prognosis and palliative care bereavement. When Death Enters the Therapeutic Space presents therapists with an understanding of what it means to experience such traumas and prepares them for helping the client. It will be useful for trainee counsellors and experienced therapists alike.

The Death of Psychotherapy

The Death of Psychotherapy PDF Author: Donald A. Eisner
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 0313001464
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 249

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Book Description
Psychologist-attorney Eisner puts psychotherapy on trial by critically examining its effectiveness through the lens of the scientific method. From psychoanalysis to cognitive-behavior therapy as well as the 500 or so other psychotherapies, there is not a single experimental study that supports the effectiveness of psychotherapy over a placebo or religious healing. Using both case examples and clinical research, this book challenges the conclusion that there is empirical support for the notion that psychotherapy is effective.

The Therapist in Mourning

The Therapist in Mourning PDF Author: Kerry L Malawista
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231534604
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 331

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Book Description
The unexpected loss of a client can be a lonely and isolating experience for therapists. While family and friends can ritually mourn the deceased, the nature of the therapeutic relationship prohibits therapists from engaging in such activities. Practitioners can only share memories of a client in circumscribed ways, while respecting the patient's confidentiality. Therefore, they may find it difficult to discuss the things that made the therapeutic relationship meaningful. Similarly, when a therapist loses someone in their private lives, they are expected to isolate themselves from grief, since allowing one's personal life to enter the working relationship can interfere with a client's self-discovery and healing. For therapists caught between their grief and the empathy they provide for their clients, this collection explores the complexity of bereavement within the practice setting. It also examines the professional and personal ramifications of death and loss for the practicing clinician. Featuring original essays from longstanding practitioners, the collection demonstrates the universal experience of bereavement while outlining a theoretical framework for the position of the bereft therapist. Essays cover the unexpected death of clients and patient suicide, personal loss in a therapist's life, the grief of clients who lose a therapist, disastrous loss within a community, and the grief resulting from professional losses and disruptions. The first of its kind, this volume gives voice to long-suppressed thoughts and emotions, enabling psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and other mental health specialists to achieve the connection and healing they bring to their own work.

Curing the Dread of Death

Curing the Dread of Death PDF Author: Rachel E. Menzies
Publisher: Australian Academic Press
ISBN: 192564412X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
The dread of death has appeared throughout recorded human history in art, literature, song, myth, and ritual. In both ancient and modern societies, the spectre of death has always been with us, stalking the terrified living who seek to avoid its inevitable arrival. Our attempts to respond to the finitude of life range from ancient burial customs such as mummification to computerised chatbots which imitate the personality of those who have departed. Such efforts speak to the uniqueness of humans in their awareness of their own mortality. Yet death is not to be feared. Indeed, it may hold the key to living a vital, authentic life. The many authors of this volume argue persuasively that we cannot live fully without complete acceptance of the fragility and finiteness of life. This unique book explores the dread of death and its management from a wide range of perspectives with researchers and writers from a variety of cultures, academic traditions and disciplines across the globe. The fields covered are broad — including palliative care and grief, psychodynamic theory, social, developmental and clinical psychology, sociology and anthropology, counselling practice as well as history, art, and philosophy. Not only is this book a fascinating journey into the very core of the human psyche, it is also a guide to our psychological health. The challenge we all face is to discover pathways to an acceptance of death that enables a life of significance and meaning. Read, learn, and explore what an examination of the dread of death can bring to one’s life.

Beyond the Brain

Beyond the Brain PDF Author: Stanislav Grof
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 9780873959537
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 488

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Book Description
Beyond the Brain seriously challenges the existing neurophysiological models of the brain. After three decades of extensive research on those non-ordinary states of consciousness induced by psychedelic drugs and by other means, Grof concludes that our present scientific world view is as inadequate as many of its historical predecessors. In this pioneering work, he proposes a new model of the human psyche that takes account of his findings. Grof includes in his model the recollective level, or the reliving of emotionally relevant memories, a level at which the Freudian framework can be useful. Beyond that is perinatal level in which the human unconscious may be activated to a reliving of biological birth and confrontation with death. How birth experience influences an individual's later development is a central focus of the book. The most serious challenge to contemporary psycho-analytic theory comes from a delineation of the transpersonal level, or the expansion of consciousness beyond the boundaries of time and space. Grof makes a bold argument that understanding of the perinatal and transpersonal levels changes much of how we view both mental illness and mental health. His reinterpretation of some of the most agonizing aspects of human behavior proves thought provoking for both laypersons and professional therapists.

Adaptation to Loss Through Short-term Group Psychotherapy

Adaptation to Loss Through Short-term Group Psychotherapy PDF Author: William E. Piper
Publisher: Guilford Press
ISBN: 9780898627961
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 242

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Book Description
While the loss of a loved one through either death, separation, or divorce is a normal human experience, it can arouse underlying conflicts that trigger pathological reactions. For clinicians working with individuals who suffer from such pathological grief, this volume integrates theory, practice, and research to describe a time-limited, interpretive group therapy approach. Demonstrated to be successful in a large-scale controlled clinical trial, the approach provides an innovative alternative to such traditional forms of treatment as individual psychotherapy or group counseling. The volume begins with a review of epidemiological data, an examination of specific issues such as the distinction between normal and abnormal reactions to loss, and a summary of major psychoanalytic theories of pathological grief. Also discussed are societal changes that have affected the resources available to loss patients. Then, a step-by-step description of the Short-Term Group Therapy Program is provided. It includes patient selection and preparation, group composition, and therapist technique. Clinical material illustrates themes and roles as they evolve from the beginning of treatment through termination. The clinical trial research that was conducted as part of the program is described in detail and its main outcome findings are discussed. In addition, results concerning the patient characteristic known as psychological mindedness and the process variable known as psychodynamic work are presented. Finally, the book addresses future directions concerning the group treatment of loss patients. This practical volume, with its detailed instructions and review of research results, will be an invaluable resource to all professionals in psychiatry, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, and nursing who are interested in group forms of psychotherapy and/or problems associated with loss. Clinical researchers will also find the book of interest, and it will serve as a valuable text for graduate level courses that focus on psychotherapy techniques, group psychotherapy, and approaches that deal with special patient populations.

Induced After Death Communication

Induced After Death Communication PDF Author: Allan Botkin
Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing
ISBN: 1612833284
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
“Dr. Botkin has hit upon a fascinating and powerful new tool that may not only help clients cope with their losses, but also breaks new ground in understanding life and death.” —Bruce Greyson, MD, bestselling author of After “A must read for all serious students of death and dying.”—Raymond Moody, MD, PhD Induced After Death Communication (IADC) is a therapy for grief and trauma that has helped thousands of people come to terms with their loss by allowing them the experience of private communication with their departed loved ones. This is the definitive book on the subject. Botkin, a clinical psychologist, created the therapy while counseling Vietnam veterans in his work at a Chicago area VA hospital. Botkin recounts his initial—accidental—discovery of IADC during therapy sessions with Sam, a Vietnam vet haunted by the memory of a Vietnamese girl he couldn't save. During the session, quite unexpectedly, Sam saw a vision of the girl's spirit, who told him everything was okay; she was at peace now. This single moment surpassed months--years--of therapy, and allowed Sam to reconnect with his family. Since that 1995 discovery, Botkin has used IADC to successfully treat countless patients—the book includes dozens of case examples—and has taught the procedure to therapists around the country. This is the inside story of a revolutionary therapy that will profoundly affect how grief and trauma are understood and treated.

Lack & Transcendence

Lack & Transcendence PDF Author: David R. Loy
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1614295476
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
Loy draws from giants of psychotherapy and existentialism, from Nietzsche to Kierkegaard to Sartre, to explore the fundamental issues of life, death, and what motivates us. Whatever the differences in their methods and goals, psychotherapy, existentialism, and Buddhism are all concerned with the same fundamental issues of life and death—and death-in-life. In Lack and Transcendence (originally published by Humanities Press in 1996), David R. Loy brings all three traditions together, casting new light on each. Written in clear, jargon-free style that does not assume prior familiarity, this book will appeal to a wide variety of readers including psychotherapists and psychoanalysts, scholars of religion, Continental philosophers, and readers seeking clarity on the Great Matter itself. Loy draws from giants of psychotherapy, particularly Freud, Rollo May, Irvin Yalom, and Otto Rank; great existentialist thinkers, particularly Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, and Sartre; and the teachings Buddhism, particularly as interpreted by Nagarjuna, Huineng and Dogen. This is the definitive edition of Loy’s seminal classic.

Counseling the Terminally Ill

Counseling the Terminally Ill PDF Author: George S. Lair
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 9781560325161
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
Placing a focus on the spiritual needs of death and dying, the theme of this book is that the focus of counselling with people who are dying should be on the psychospiritual aspects of death and dying. It is based on two assumptions - that death and anxiety, not pain, are the most critical issues for the dying, and that the time of dying is an opportunity for growth and transformation. The author believes that it is imperative for counselling professionals to realize that at this time understanding and caring are primary.