logoterapia

Logotherapy is a form of existential analysis and psychotherapy developed by Viktor Frankl. The term derives from the Greek logos, meaning meaning, and is centered on the idea that the primary motivational force in human beings is the search for meaning in life.

Core concepts include the will to meaning and the existential vacuum, a sense of emptiness that arises when meaning is lacking. Meaning can be discovered through three main avenues: through creative work or deeds, through experiences such as love and relationships, and through the attitude adopted toward unavoidable suffering. Even in difficult circumstances, individuals can choose their response and thereby confer meaning on their situation.

Therapeutic methods in logotherapy emphasize helping clients identify meaning in their lives. Techniques include Socratic dialogue to explore values, dereflection to redirect attention away from self-obsession and symptoms, and paradoxical intention to reduce anxiety by embracing the fear of a feared outcome. The approach focuses on meaning-centered growth rather than sole symptom relief.

History and influence: Frankl developed logotherapy during the mid-20th century, drawing on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps. He articulated his ideas in Man’s Search for Meaning (1946) and pursued the approach through teaching and clinical work. It is often described as the “third Viennese school” of psychotherapy, alongside the approaches of Freud and Adler.

Applications and reception: Logotherapy has been used in clinical psychology, psychiatry, counseling, palliative care, and life coaching. Proponents highlight its role in motivation and resilience, while critics point to limited empirical evidence and suggest it should complement rather than replace other treatments for mental illness.