The Second Generation
The first generation of theorists was much easier to identify. However, as we move to the second generation it becomes more complex. This, in part, is due to the fact that we are still in the second generation of key figures in our contemporary times. While Yalom is moving into retirement, the rest of these figures are still writing, training, and providing therapy. Other figures are bound to emerge from this generation.
There are also many people who have made significant contributions from the humanistic movement. Because of the close association of humanistic and existential theory, these theorist undoubtedly have also significantly influenced existential thought. These figures include Thomas Greening, David Elkins, and many others.
The third generation of key figures is currently in development. The future leaders of existential theory are currently preparing for training, in training, or in the early phases of their career. Hopefully, if this website is able to maintain long enough, these new leaders will begin to emerge and warrant their own page.
One of the difficulties in establishing leaders in the field is that so many of them are what can be referred to as "working class clinicians." This term is one frequently used by my mentor, colleague, and friend, Robert Murney. Dr. Murney has yet to published a single article or book, but yet has made important contribution through his impact on many therapists in their development. Though he practices primarily from a psychodynamic framework, he made a significant impact upon my development as an existential therapist. So many of these working class clinicians never get around to publishing or do so only late in their careers. While this doesn't take away the importance of their contributions, in many ways it is a loss to the field while be a tremendous gain from all the clients, students, and supervisees who get to learn from their commitment to what this field is really about -- helping hurting people and people who want to grow.
Irvin Yalom
In many ways, Yalom seems like a first generation figure. He's made many significant contributions to existential theory throughout his long career. However, he is better placed as a second generation figure. Yalom completed his analysis under Rollo May and was significantly influenced by him. This influence is very evident in much of Yalom's writing.
One of Yalom's great gifts to existential theory is writing. In particular, Yalom's boldness in his writing has provided some excellent contributions. His writings have spanned from case histories to significant theory and research to fictional contributions. Few writers can demonstrate such diversity in styles of writing while still maintaining the quality which Yalom displays throughout his writing.
In the realms of theory, Yalom made to extremely important contributions. First, is his book Existential Psychotherapy (Yalom, 1980). This is a comprehensive overview of existential thought that includes his unique contributions. This book provides the best organizational structure to existential thought that exists. This alone makes the book significant. However, this book also presents existential theory in a readable language. So many students are afraid of existential thought because of its complexity. Many times I've been asked by students considering taking a class on existential theory if they will be able to understand it. This fear prevents many students from venturing into this realm of thought. Yalom's book is an answer to this fear.
A second important theoretical contribution is Yalom's (1995) book Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. While not directly on the topic of existential theory, it is pretty clearly an application of his existential approach to group therapy. This, in part, has solidified a continued place for existential therapy in the group therapy modality. This book is still one of the most widely used and respected text books on group therapy that exists.
Yalom has published three books which are a mixture of approaches to case histories. His first book of this genre is an extremely important book was written with a former client and is titled Every day gets a little closer: A twice-told therapy (Yalom & Elkins, 1990). In this book, because Ginny was unable to afford therapy and was a writer, he negotiated with her to pay for therapy by keeping a journal on her experience in therapy. Yalom would do the same. At specified times they exchanged notes and at the end of therapy they were published side by side. This allows for the reader to see both the therapist perspective and the client's perspective side by side. It also demonstrates Yalom's incredible vulnerability as a therapist. This is a vulnerability that would not be advised of therapists who are not very well grounded in their personal self-awareness, boundaries, and ethics.
Two more case histories are also very helpful. Love's Executioner (Yalom, 1989) is the book that I recommend probably more than any other book. This book begins with the best brief overview of existential theory which is available. Then Yalom shares ten stories of psychotherapy. One of the great things about this book is that it is written for both therapists and clients. I've often recommended it to clients to help them better understand what therapy is about. This has been extremely beneficial. It is also an extremely helpful book for therapists, particularly neophyte therapists. When I first discovered this book in my training I found it to be extremely freeing. First of all, Yalom, in his wonderfully vulnerable style, regularly confessed that he had no clue what to do. To hear one of the greatest and most respected therapists of his generation make this confession can be very liberating for young therapists who often feel this same way. Second, Yalom's demonstration of how he relates with clients can be very freeing. In Yalom's (1999) second book of this type, the beautifully titled Momma and the Meaning of Life, he adds another six stories. One of these is fictional and one is partially fictional.
Finally, there are Yalom's fictional contributions. When Nietzsche Wept (1993) is a wonderful tale about what would have happened if Breuer, who was Freud's mentor, would have been given the task of being Nietzsche's therapist. It's a wonderful story that combines history with fiction. His second novel, Lying on the Couch (1997), is much more of a story of psychotherapy. This does an excellent job of offering some of the inside story on what happens in some psychoanalytic circles. Yalom also takes on some difficult issues and questions through a fictional approach. This is a great read for those interested in psychoanalytic therapy.
Kirk Schneider
Schneider is the most active of second generation contributors that is still currently writing. Already, Schneider has made several very important contributions to the literature and it seems evident that he will continue to do so. Schneider was a student and colleague of Rollo May's. Schneider currently teaches at Saybrook in the San Francisco Bay area, where May used to teach.
In addition to many important journal articles, Schneider has been involved in several important books. First, he collaborated with Rollo May in the book The Psychology of Existence: An integrative, clinical perspective (Schneider & May, 1995). This book is significant for several reasons. First, this was May's final contribution to the field. May began this book as an independent project and Schneider took over when May's health would not allow him to complete the project on his own. Second, it provides an excellent overview of the theory and many case examples of application. Third, it provides a connection between existential theory and postmodernism. Finally, it provides the best framework and model for psychotherapy integration to date. The integration movement often lacks a theoretical foundation rendering it largely to a utilitarian approach lacking in unity. However, what Schneider and May provide in this book is an alternative integrative approach that utilizes one theory as a foundation. This allows integration to occur in an intelligent, cohesive manner.
Schneider was also the first editor of the book The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology (Schneider, Bugental, and Pierson, 2001). This book, while titled "humanistic psychology," reflects a good basis of existential thought. Schneider also contributed several important chapters to this book. His current book, Rediscovery of Awe (in press), promises to be an important existential perspective on religion and spirituality. Further demonstrating the breadth of Schneider's knowledge, this hopefully is one in a long line of independent projects.
Stephen Diamond
In many ways, Stephen Diamond fits the category of a working-class clinician, though he is not limited to this role. Though his writing contributions as of the current time have not been many, his one book is significant enough to warrant consideration as one of the current leaders in the field. Diamond's (1996) book, Anger Madness, and the Daimonic is a 300-page book with 500-pages of content. While many books which can be described as such are often very difficult to ready, this book is not. While covering a lot of topic, it is still written in a way that is very readable. However, a slow read is suggested. This would be quite difficult to attempt to read this book quickly while giving the content it's deserved due. Outside of Yalom's work, this book is the one must-read book of the second generation of existential theorist.
It is difficult to review this book because of the breadth and depth of its content. In many ways, Diamond redeems anger in much the same way that May, who Diamond studied under, redeemed anxiety. Additionally, Diamond provides best application of existential theory to diagnostic issues that exists. While many existential theories have avoided the issue of diagnosis other than to critique it, Diamond takes this issue seriously. In many ways, he redeems diagnosis for existential psychotherapy. But, maybe more importantly, he has brought back a solid approach to understanding psychopathology from a depth psychotherapy perspective. Much of the field is as been arguing that the only place where depth psychotherapy is really appropriate is for those people seeking personal growth. They purport that the true disorders should be limited to brief, solution-focused approaches. Diamond beautifully demonstrates that depth psychotherapy still has a place in treating these disorders. Additionally, he does this in a manner that still maintains a respect for solution-focused therapy.
Hopefully, this is not Diamond's last contribution to the field as far as writing. Currently, he is still very active in training and educating through the Center for Existential Depth Psychology in Los Angeles. He offers CEU training, including a seminar on his book, and supervision for people interested in learning about the existential approach.
Myrtle Heery
Heery is another person who could be described as a working class therapist, though she has not let this diminish her influence. A student of James Bugental, Heery is director of the International Institute for Humanistic Studies, professor in the Depth Psychotherapy program at Sonoma State University, and adjunct professor the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Additionally, she is carrying on the training programs in existential humanistic therapy with James Bugental. This is a training through the International Institute for Humanistic Studies for therapist and therapists in training.
Heery is able to keep the tradition and spirit of Bugental's work very much alive. But her contribution is not limited to being through Bugental. Her own presence is an additional gift to this field. While she has not contributed much in the form of writing, at least as of yet, her influence is strongly felt through her leadership in the International Institute for Humanistic Studies and her various teaching and training positions.
Continue to The Philosophical Forerunners of Existential Psychology
Original Version added 2004. Never been updated.