Contribution of Irvin D. Yalom to psychotherapy

Abstract

Irvin D. Yalom is one of the most widely recognized representatives of existential psychotherapy. Yalom recognizes the existential dynamic conflict that occurs as a result of dealing with the four fundamental givens of human life: mortality, isolation, meaninglessness and freedom. The distinctive feature of Yalom’s approach is his focus on the present moment or the »here and now«. The key element of the therapeutic process is to develop a secure and intimate therapeutic relationship, which will become the cornerstone of change. This is always of a two-way nature and the therapist is never completely neutral. Not only the patient but the therapist himself also explores his own feelings, anxieties and doubts. His feedback will then also include selective self-revelation. The main goal of therapy is to encourage the patient to be present in his existential situation and to accept it. The aim is also to remove the obstacles to growth and change. In group therapy the therapist leads patients through the complex process of interlacing the primary experiences in relations with the healing experiences of therapy. He names these »therapeutic factors«. In this article we present Yalom holistically: an expert, a person and a creative writer of many psychotherapeutic stories and novels.