COURSE NUMBER: PP8683
COURSE NAME: Existential and Humanistic Approaches
to Therapy
TERM:
Fall 2009
INSTRUCTOR:
Gary L. Phillips, S.T.D.
PHONE:
(312)777-7692 (ISPP/Argosy)
EMAIL:
Glp285@northwestern.edu
FAX:
(847) 864-3538
ALT PHONE:
(847) 446-0050 (Office)
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Title
Author(s)
Copyright
Publisher
ISBN
Edition
Existential Psychotherapy
Yalom, Irwin
1980
Basic Books
9780465021475
Title
Author(s)
Copyright
Publisher
ISBN
Edition
Existence
May, R., Angel, E., Ellenberger, H.
1958
Basic Books
9781568212715
Paperback
Title
Hymns to an Unknown God
Author(s) Keen, Sam
Copyright 1996
Publisher
ISBN
Edition
Urano
0553375172
Paperback
Title
Comprehensive Handbook of Psychotherapy:
Interpersonal\Humanistic\Existential
Author(s) Kaslow, Florence & Massey, Robert
Copyright 2004
Publisher John Wiley
ISBN
047138626X
Edition
RECOMMENDED READINGS
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Any other special testing materials, etc?
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NO
If so, please provide complete information in regards to this instrument.
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This Course Requires the Purchase of a Course Packet:
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COURSE SYLLABUS
Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
MISSION STATEMENT
The Doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University/Illinois School
of Professional Psychology-Chicago Campus is an APA accredited program
(APA, 750 First St. NE, Washington DC 20002, 202-336-5500). This program is
designed to educate and train students so that they may eventually be able to
function effectively as clinical psychologists. To ensure that students are
prepared adequately, the curriculum provides for the meaningful integration of
theory, training and practice. The Clinical Psychology program at Argosy
University/Illinois School of Professional Psychology/Chicago Campus
emphasizes the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the
formation of professional psychologists who are committed to the ethical
provision of quality services. Specific objectives of the program include the
following:
* The training of practitioners capable of delivery of treatment
* The development of mental health practitioners who understand the
biological,
psychological, and sociological bases of human functioning
* The training of practitioners who are capable of exercising leadership both
in the
health care delivery system and in the training of mental health professionals
* The preparation of mental health practitioners capable of expanding the
role of
psychologists within society
* The education of psychologists capable of working with other disciplines as
part
of a professional team
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on the key elements of existential psychotherapy and how
these elements are exemplified in understanding personality, psychopathology,
and psychotherapy. Special emphasis is placed on how existential philosophy
illuminates the human situation; this emphasis is then explored relative to how
psychotherapy can be utilized within an existential framework. In the pursuit of
these areas of study an important aim will be the enhancement of student and
professor self-awareness. Case material will be drawn upon throughout the
course to concretize the theory being studied.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Course objectives are: (1) identification and articulation of the basic dimensions
of existential psychotherapy (2) developing the connection between existential
philosophy and personality theory and psychopathology (3) understanding the
relationship between cardinal aspects of the therapist’s existence and the
existence of the client (4) delineation of how gender, race, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, age, socioeconomic issues and spirituality, as aspects of the
biopsychospiritual model of understanding human nature, impact on the sociocultural context of the use of existential psychotherapy.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
Course assessment will be based on the following course requirements:
(1)Weekly: each week each student will turn in a one page summary of the
week’s readings, noting two critical points or questions about the readings. In the
first class you will select a small group in which you will be involved throughout
the course to discuss in class the assigned readings per your weekly written
summary (2) Midterm examination: this midterm will require you to present a
written integrated application of course concepts, demonstrating your ability to
relate these concepts to the clinical context. The focus of this paper, utilizing
class readings, lecture material and class discussion, will be how existential
theory helps you develop you self-awareness as a person and a therapist. This
paper will be 10 pages in length, follow APA guidelines, and will be turned in on
the date noted on the syllabus (class 8). No late papers will be accepted. In
class 8 class time will be devoted to a brief presentation and discussion of the
papers with each class member expected to present his/her paper in summary
fashion. Further directions will be forthcoming in regard to how to structure this
paper. (3) Final examination: each student will complete a paper, 12-15 pages in
length, which will apply existential theory to clinical case material. You will be
expected to demonstrate mastery of the course material, e.g., readings, class
discussions, case presentations, etc., in this paper. Specific guidelines will be
handed out. All final papers are due at the beginning of the last class. No late
papers will be accepted. In regard to course objectives, course objective # 1will
be assessed by demonstration of knowledge of these various dimensions in
discussion of weekly readings, weekly general class discussions and in the
content of both the midterm and final papers; objective # 2 will be assessed by
concrete articulation of the relationship between existential philosophy and
personality/psychopathology, especially tied to the clinical context, in weekly
discussions of the readings, the description of how various aspects of the
existential worldview are played out in the clinical setting, in midterm and final
papers and in general class discussions, and in looking at ongoing case material
in class; objective # 3 will be assessed by examination of specific aspects of the
contribution the therapist and client make tothe therapeutic setting in weekly
class discussions of the readings, the midterm and final papers and in particular
exploration of case material connected to this contribution; objective # 4 will be
assessed through probing the explicit aspects of the relationship between
contextual issue areas and a biopsychospiritual model of understanding as it
relates to the existential viewpoint and existential psychotherapy through weekly
class and readings discussions, and the identification as well as development of
this relationship in the midterm and final papers.
GRADING AND ATTENDANCE POLICY
All assigned papers are due on the date specified in the syllabus; late papers will
automatically be given one letter grade lower than the grade earned. The final
grade will be determined in the following manner:(1) midterm exam/paper: 45%;
(2) final exam/paper: 45%; (3) class participation: 10%. All students are
expected to attend every class. If you cannot attend a class, please call me at
ISPP and let me know. If you miss class, you will be required to write a 2 page
reaction paper on an aspect of the focus of the course; this paper will be due at
the next class session. PLEASE NOTE: CELL PHONES AND TEXT
MESSAGING ARE PROHIBITED IN CLASS. ALSO: ANY STUDENT WHO
MISSES MORE THAN TWO CLASSES MAY FAIL THE CLASS
Required Texts
Yalom, Irwin. Existential Psychotherapy. (1980). Basic Books,New York. ISBN#
0465-02-1476
May, R., Angel, E. & Ellenberger,H. Existence. (1958). Basic Books, New York.
ISBN# 1568-212712
Huxley, Aldous. The Perennial Philosophy (1946). Chatto & Windus. London.
0060-57-058X
Keen, Sam. Hymns to an Unknown God. (1996). Urano. ISBN# 0553-37-5172
Packet. Readings will be assigned throughout the course.
CLASSES, DATES, TOPICS & ASSIGNED READINGS
Class Assignment
1
Introduction and Overview
Suggested movie: “The Hours.”
Readings:
Yalom---Chap.I
May---pp. 3-36
2.
The Therapist’s Existence as Central to Psychotherapy
Readings:
May---pp. 37-91
S. Keen, Chap. 1
3.
Readings:
The Client’s Existence as Primary to Psychotherapy: Life I
Issues in Psychotherapy
S. Keen, Chap. 2
4.
Despair and Anxiety
Readings:
S. Kierkegaard---The Sickness Unto Death
F. Kafka---The Hunger Artist
5.
Contributions of the Mystical Dimension of Life
Readings:
Ken Wilber---”Introduction” from Up From Eden
6.
Self-Deception and the Unconscious
Readings:
Frank Gruba-McCallister---”The Imp of the Reverse: A
Phenomenology of the Unconscious”
John Welwood---”Meditation and the Unconscious: A
New
Perspective”
7.
Death
Readings:
Yalom---Chaps. 2, 3, 4, &5
S. Keen---Chap. 11
8.
MID TERM PRESENTATIONS
9.
11/2
Readings:
10.
Responsibility and Freedom
Yalom---Chaps. 6 & 7
Gruba-McCallister & Levington----”Authenticity as Open
Existence”
11/9
Isolation and Connectedness
Readings:
Yalom---Chaps. 8 & 9
S. Keen---Chaps. 9 & 10
11.
Meaninglessness; Meaningfulness
Readings:
Yalom---Chaps. 10 & 11
S. Keen---Chap. 12
12.
Being
Existence in Incarnation: The Ecological Dimension of
Readings:
S. Keen---Chaps. 7 & 8
13.
Mental Disorder as a Different Existence
Readings:
Binswanger, in Existence---pp. 237-298
Halling & Nill---”Demystifying Psychopathology”
14.
Psychotherapy: psychotherapeutic implications of the
Existential Focus
Readings
Frankl---”Paradoxical Intention: Logotherapeutic
Technique”
pp.143-163
D. Moss---”Psychotherapy and Human Experience”
R. Walsh & F. Vaughn---”The Art of Transcendence”
L. Patrik---”Phenomenological Method and Meditation”
H. F. Ellenberger---”A Clinical Introduction to Psychiatric
Phenomenology and Existential Analysis” in Existence--pp.92-124
Movie: Flight from Death FINAL PAPER DUE
PLEASE NOTE: It is the policy of the Illinois School of Professional Psychology/
Chicago campus to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with
disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If
your are a student with a disability and need accommodations to complete the
instructor’s course requirements, the student must notify the Director of Student
Services. Procedure for documenting student disability and the development of
reasonable accommodation will be provided to students upon request. Students
will be notified by the Director of Student Services when each request for
accommodation is approved or denied in writing via a designated form. It is the
student’s responsibility to present the form (at his or her discretion) to the
instructor in order to receive the requested accommodations in class. In an effort
to protect student privacy, Student Services will not discuss the accommodations
needs of any student with instructors
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY/PLAGIARISM STATEMENT
The University seeks to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity. Any work
submitted by a student must represent original work produced by that student.
Any source used by a student must be documented through normal scholarly
references and citations, and the extent to which any sources have been used
must be apparent to the reader. The University further considers resubmission of
a work produced for one course in a subsequent course or the submission of work done partially or entirely by another
person to be academic dishonesty. If is the student’s responsibility to seek
clarification from the course instructor about how much help may be received in
completing an assignment or exam or project and what sources may be used.
Students found guilty of academic dishonesty or plagiarism shall be subject to
disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the University.
TECHNOLOGY STATEMENT
Argosy University encourages the use of technology throughout the curriculum.
This course may use the following: computer discussion threads, overheads,
video tapes, on line syllabus and assignments, etc