Emmy van Deurzen
Encyclopedia
Emmy van Deurzen is an existential therapist
and honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield
. After moving to the UK in 1977 to work with anti-psychiatrists
, she founded the Society for Existential Analysis in 1988, and later created a london-based training institute for the approach at Regent's College
in 1985, before leaving to found The New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in 1996 at Schiller International University
, where she is currently a Professor in Psychotherapy.
Her therapy work is based in existential philosophy
, as a form of philosophical counseling
, and focuses on enabling people to reflect on their lives with equal attention to past, present and future in order to draw on their strengths, talents and abilities, whilst facing up to the inevitable limitations of life.
in France to study French and Philosophy, before doing a Masters Degree in Phenomenology and Existentialism. She followed this by working for a number of years in the psychiatric hospital
of Saint Alban in Massif Central
and then a psychotheraputic centre in Agen
, during which she undertook a Masters Degree at the University of Bordeaux
in Clinical Psychology.
After moving to the United Kingdom in 1977 to work in a psychtheraputic community in London, she began teaching at Antioch University International, rising to Associate Director of the MA in Humanistic Psychology
. From this position she developed an MA in Psychology of Therapy and Counselling, becoming Director of it in 1982 and stayed with the course through its move and merge with Regent's College
in 1985 and 1989 respectively, becoming Head of the Psychology Department with the merger. Whislt working at Regent's she founded the Society for Existential Analysis, and its accompanying journal
, Existential Analysis in 1988. This was followed by the founding of the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in 1991, validated by City University, the former of which van Deurzen became Dean.
In 1996 she left Regent's College to establish the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC), a school which specialises in training students to become existential therapists, where as of 2011 she remains Principal, and is associated with Schiller International University
, where van Deurzen is a Professor of Psychotherapy.
Van Deurzen has become a noted figure in the school of psychotherapy, being the first chair of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
, and an ambassador for the European Association for Psychotherapy
to both the European Commission
and Council of Europe
. Her work has been translated into a number of other languages, including Russian, Chinese and Spanish, and her Existential Counselling and Psychotherapyin Practice book was a bestseller.
philosophers used the Socratic method
to reveal truths about personal dilemmas. The practice was largely neglected until the twentieth century when existential theory began to be applied to clinical work undertaken by psychiatrists, mainly in Germany and Switzerland. By the mid-twentieth century the idea had spread to the United States and the United Kingdom.
Deurzen has been instrumental (Cooper, 2003) in establishing the existential approach in the United Kingdom in the nineteen eighties and nineties, through her publications, through the creation of the Society for Existential Analysis (SEA) in 1988 and the creation of the International Collaborative of Existential Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ICECAP) in 2006. She founded the International Journal Existential Analysis, in 1988, which continues to publish important articles in the field of existential therapy. She has also facilitated the training of hundreds of existential therapists in the UK by founding and directing the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent's College along existential principles and by setting up the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling specifically for the purpose of existential training (Cooper, 2003). NSPC is associated with Middlesex University and offers joint doctoral programmes.
She further enabled the recognition of the approach in the UK when she was chair of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy 1993-1995 and at a European level when she was co-Chair of the training standards committee of the European Association for Psychotherapy.
She also established a new approach to life improvement for the wider public, by setting up the Existential Academy and offering 'life training' classes for lay people as well as existential coaching training for professionals.
Her idea that human living takes place on four fundamental existential dimensions (physical, social, personal and spiritual), each of which is dominated by specific paradoxes, dilemmas and conflicts between polar opposites, has been widely built on by other psychotherapists (Jacobsen 2007, Barnett 2009).
.
Existential therapy
Existential psychotherapy is a philosophical method of therapy that operates on the belief that inner conflict within a person is due to that individual's confrontation with the givens of existence. These givens, as noted by Irvin D...
and honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
. After moving to the UK in 1977 to work with anti-psychiatrists
Anti-psychiatry
Anti-psychiatry is a configuration of groups and theoretical constructs that emerged in the 1960s, and questioned the fundamental assumptions and practices of psychiatry, such as its claim that it achieves universal, scientific objectivity. Its igniting influences were Michel Foucault, R.D. Laing,...
, she founded the Society for Existential Analysis in 1988, and later created a london-based training institute for the approach at Regent's College
Regent's College
Regent's College is located in Regent's Park, London, England. It is one of the two largest groups of buildings in the park, along with the London Zoo, and was built on the site of South Villa, one of the original eight Regent's Park villas....
in 1985, before leaving to found The New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in 1996 at Schiller International University
Schiller International University
Schiller International University is a private American university with its main campus and administrative headquarters in Largo, Florida. It has campuses on two continents in five countries, each offering its own unique experiences to students: Largo; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; Heidelberg,...
, where she is currently a Professor in Psychotherapy.
Her therapy work is based in existential philosophy
Existentialism
Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
, as a form of philosophical counseling
Philosophical counseling
Philosophical counseling, also sometimes called philosophical practice, is a contemporary movement in practical philosophy. Its practitioners ordinarily have a doctorate or minimally a master’s degree in philosophy and offer their philosophical counseling or consultation services to clients...
, and focuses on enabling people to reflect on their lives with equal attention to past, present and future in order to draw on their strengths, talents and abilities, whilst facing up to the inevitable limitations of life.
Biography
Emmy van Deurzen received a classical education in the Netherlands, before moving to MontpellierMontpellier
-Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council....
in France to study French and Philosophy, before doing a Masters Degree in Phenomenology and Existentialism. She followed this by working for a number of years in the psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
of Saint Alban in Massif Central
Massif Central
The Massif Central is an elevated region in south-central France, consisting of mountains and plateaux....
and then a psychotheraputic centre in Agen
Agen
Agen is a commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department in Aquitaine in south-western France. It lies on the river Garonne southeast of Bordeaux. It is the capital of the department.-Economy:The town has a higher level of unemployment than the national average...
, during which she undertook a Masters Degree at the University of Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux is an association of higher education institutions in and around Bordeaux, France. Its current incarnation was established 21 March 2007. The group is the largest system of higher education schools in southwestern France. It is part of the Academy of Bordeaux.There are seven...
in Clinical Psychology.
After moving to the United Kingdom in 1977 to work in a psychtheraputic community in London, she began teaching at Antioch University International, rising to Associate Director of the MA in Humanistic Psychology
Humanistic psychology
Humanistic psychology is a psychological perspective which rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, drawing on the work of early pioneers like Carl Rogers and the philosophies of existentialism and phenomenology...
. From this position she developed an MA in Psychology of Therapy and Counselling, becoming Director of it in 1982 and stayed with the course through its move and merge with Regent's College
Regent's College
Regent's College is located in Regent's Park, London, England. It is one of the two largest groups of buildings in the park, along with the London Zoo, and was built on the site of South Villa, one of the original eight Regent's Park villas....
in 1985 and 1989 respectively, becoming Head of the Psychology Department with the merger. Whislt working at Regent's she founded the Society for Existential Analysis, and its accompanying journal
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
, Existential Analysis in 1988. This was followed by the founding of the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in 1991, validated by City University, the former of which van Deurzen became Dean.
In 1996 she left Regent's College to establish the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC), a school which specialises in training students to become existential therapists, where as of 2011 she remains Principal, and is associated with Schiller International University
Schiller International University
Schiller International University is a private American university with its main campus and administrative headquarters in Largo, Florida. It has campuses on two continents in five countries, each offering its own unique experiences to students: Largo; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; Heidelberg,...
, where van Deurzen is a Professor of Psychotherapy.
Van Deurzen has become a noted figure in the school of psychotherapy, being the first chair of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy exists to promote and maintain high standards in the practice of psychotherapy for the benefit of the public throughout the United Kingdom...
, and an ambassador for the European Association for Psychotherapy
European Association for Psychotherapy
The European Association for Psychotherapy is a Vienna-based umbrella organisation for 128 psychotherapist organizations from 41 countries with a membership of more than 120,000 psychotherapists...
to both the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
and Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
. Her work has been translated into a number of other languages, including Russian, Chinese and Spanish, and her Existential Counselling and Psychotherapyin Practice book was a bestseller.
Contributions to existential therapy and psychotherapy
Existential therapy has its origins in applied philosophy, where HellenisticHellenistic philosophy
Hellenistic philosophy is the period of Western philosophy that was developed in the Hellenistic civilization following Aristotle and ending with the beginning of Neoplatonism.-Pythagoreanism:...
philosophers used the Socratic method
Socratic method
The Socratic method , named after the classical Greek philosopher Socrates, is a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas...
to reveal truths about personal dilemmas. The practice was largely neglected until the twentieth century when existential theory began to be applied to clinical work undertaken by psychiatrists, mainly in Germany and Switzerland. By the mid-twentieth century the idea had spread to the United States and the United Kingdom.
Deurzen has been instrumental (Cooper, 2003) in establishing the existential approach in the United Kingdom in the nineteen eighties and nineties, through her publications, through the creation of the Society for Existential Analysis (SEA) in 1988 and the creation of the International Collaborative of Existential Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ICECAP) in 2006. She founded the International Journal Existential Analysis, in 1988, which continues to publish important articles in the field of existential therapy. She has also facilitated the training of hundreds of existential therapists in the UK by founding and directing the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent's College along existential principles and by setting up the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling specifically for the purpose of existential training (Cooper, 2003). NSPC is associated with Middlesex University and offers joint doctoral programmes.
She further enabled the recognition of the approach in the UK when she was chair of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy 1993-1995 and at a European level when she was co-Chair of the training standards committee of the European Association for Psychotherapy.
She also established a new approach to life improvement for the wider public, by setting up the Existential Academy and offering 'life training' classes for lay people as well as existential coaching training for professionals.
Her idea that human living takes place on four fundamental existential dimensions (physical, social, personal and spiritual), each of which is dominated by specific paradoxes, dilemmas and conflicts between polar opposites, has been widely built on by other psychotherapists (Jacobsen 2007, Barnett 2009).
Honours
As listed by the University of SheffieldUniversity of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
.
- 2007 - Visiting Associate, Darwin CollegeDarwin College, CambridgeDarwin College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.Founded in 1964, Darwin was Cambridge University's first graduate-only college, and also the first to admit both men and women. The college is named after the family of one of the university's most famous graduates, Charles Darwin...
, Cambridge UniversityUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally... - 2006 - Fellow, United Kingdom Council for PsychotherapyUnited Kingdom Council for PsychotherapyThe United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy exists to promote and maintain high standards in the practice of psychotherapy for the benefit of the public throughout the United Kingdom...
- 2005 - Honorary Fellow, Sweedish Association for Existential Psychotherapy
- 2005 - Honorary Professor, University of Sheffield
- 2001 - Fellow, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
- 1999 - Fellow, British Psychological SocietyBritish Psychological SocietyThe British Psychological Society is a representative body for psychologists and psychology in the United Kingdom. The BPS is also a Registered Charity and, along with advantages, this also imposes certain constraints on what the society can and cannot do...
- 1999-2002 - Official Delegate to the Council of EuropeCouncil of EuropeThe Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, for the European Association for PsychotherapyEuropean Association for PsychotherapyThe European Association for Psychotherapy is a Vienna-based umbrella organisation for 128 psychotherapist organizations from 41 countries with a membership of more than 120,000 psychotherapists... - 1998-1999 - Chair of the British Psychological Society, Psycotherapy Section
- 1998 - Honorary European Certificate for PsychotherapyEuropean Association for PsychotherapyThe European Association for Psychotherapy is a Vienna-based umbrella organisation for 128 psychotherapist organizations from 41 countries with a membership of more than 120,000 psychotherapists...
- 1997-1999 - Chair of the Universities Psychotherapy Association
- 1995-2002 - European Association for Psychotherapy ambassador
Key Publications
As listed by the University of Sheffield. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages.- Psycotherapy and the Quest for Happiness (2007), London: Sage
- Dictionary of Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling with Raymond Kenward (2005), London: Sage
- Existential Perspectives on Existential and Human Issues edited with Claire Arnold-Baker (2005), Basingstoke: Palgrave, Macmillan
- Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling in Practice Second Edition (2002), London: Sage
- Paradox and Passion in Psychotherapy (1998), Chichester: Wiley
- Det Existentiella Samtalet (1998), Stockholm: Natur och Kultur
- Eksistentielle Dimensioner I Psykoterapi (1998), Copenhagen: Hans Reitzels
- Everyday Mysteries: Existential Dimensions of Psychotherapy (1997), London: Routlegde
- Eksistentielle Samtale Og Terapi (1995), Copenhagen: Hans Reitzels
- Existential Counselling in Practice (1988), London: Sage