Awakening to Awe

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis in Existential Terms: It's Ever-Evolving

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on November 17, 2023

Rank's psychology and therapeutic approach are critical for in-depth individual and cultural healing.

Rank's psychology and therapeutic approach are critical for in-depth individual and cultural healing.

Psychoanalysis

Recasting Psychoanalysis in Existential Terms

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on November 17, 2023

Rank's psychology and therapeutic approach are critical for in-depth individual and cultural healing.

Rank's psychology and therapeutic approach are critical for in-depth individual and cultural healing.

Resilience

Depth Psychology for Social Healing

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on August 15, 2023

The need for in depth, emotionally restorative relationships in our society cannot be overstated. We need to rally a corps on a par with the Peace Corps to address this dire need.

The need for in depth, emotionally restorative relationships in our society cannot be overstated. We need to rally a corps on a par with the Peace Corps to address this dire need.

Therapy

Becker, Rank, and Existential Psychotherapy

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on May 22, 2023

Optimizing our relation to existence, not only parents, culture, or physiological dispositions. Rank and Becker were at the heart of this quest.

Optimizing our relation to existence, not only parents, culture, or physiological dispositions. Rank and Becker were at the heart of this quest.

Anxiety

What the World Needs Now Is 'Life-Enhancing' Anxiety

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on July 24, 2022

Do you think our world is ravaged by too much anxiety? Indeed it is. But ironically, it's the avoidance of life-enhancing anxiety that makes it so destructive.

Do you think our world is ravaged by too much anxiety? Indeed it is. But ironically, it's the avoidance of life-enhancing anxiety that makes it so destructive.

Unconscious

The Existential Unconscious: A Re-Visioning of Our Hidden Selves

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on November 25, 2021

Why it's time for the "existential unconscious."

Why it's time for the "existential unconscious."

Anxiety

An Antidote to Death Anxiety: Awe

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on January 28, 2021

Death anxiety seems pervasive these days, but finding awe may shift it.

Death anxiety seems pervasive these days, but finding awe may shift it.

Health

The Compelling Need for a Psychologist General

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on October 17, 2020

The idea of a psychologist general is gaining traction in the mainstream media. This post and Monica Lewinsky explain why.

The idea of a psychologist general is gaining traction in the mainstream media. This post and Monica Lewinsky explain why.

Psychology

My Vision for Psychology at This Critical Time

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on September 16, 2020

In our current crisis of mental and planetary health, what role can psychology play?

In our current crisis of mental and planetary health, what role can psychology play?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

What Existentialists Can Teach Us About COVID-19

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on May 12, 2020

Having difficulty coping with the pandemic? Here's how existential philosophers and artists have paved the way for resilience in the face of great calamity.

Having difficulty coping with the pandemic? Here's how existential philosophers and artists have paved the way for resilience in the face of great calamity.

Environment

Existential Therapy for the Digital Age

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on January 27, 2020

Why longer-term, existentially oriented therapy can be so important today.

Why longer-term, existentially oriented therapy can be so important today.

Career

New Work on Existential Therapy

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on October 25, 2019

Latest developments in existential-humanistic and existential-integrative therapy.

Latest developments in existential-humanistic and existential-integrative therapy.

Mindfulness

The Polarized Mind

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on July 22, 2019

To counter the polarized mind, we call for a mobilization of mindfulness practices and dialogue groups on a scale of a public works program for human civility.

To counter the polarized mind, we call for a mobilization of mindfulness practices and dialogue groups on a scale of a public works program for human civility.

Addressing the widespread dangers, and potential alleviation, of the polarized mind.

Spirituality

The Spirituality of Awe

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on January 18, 2019

Abstract of invited address to the upcoming Second World Congress of Existential Therapy.

Abstract of invited address to the upcoming Second World Congress of Existential Therapy.

Spirituality

The Hardening—and the Hope—of the American Heart

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on October 18, 2018

Exasperated by the increasing polarization of our citizenry? Here are some therapeutically informed alternatives that could profoundly impact our culture.

Exasperated by the increasing polarization of our citizenry? Here are some therapeutically informed alternatives that could profoundly impact our culture.

Psychiatry

The Chief Peril Is Not a Diagnosis, but the Polarized Mind

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on July 19, 2018

There is a reason why many of the most twisted and destructive people on this planet are not seen as mental patients. They are ordinary, even celebrated—with "normal" brains.

There is a reason why many of the most twisted and destructive people on this planet are not seen as mental patients. They are ordinary, even celebrated—with "normal" brains.

The sense of awe as key to our science, religiosity, and life

What can be done to foster a sense of awe toward life in a digital age?

The need for highly attuned, depth psychological facilitators to address the bitter political, social, and psychological divides today could not be greater.