Irvin Yalom || Existential Psychotherapy

Aug 30, 2021

In this conversation, Irvin D. Yalom, renowned psychiatrist and bestselling author, shares his profound insights on existential psychotherapy. He reflects on his childhood experiences and the impact of racial segregation, alongside his passion for literature and chess. Yalom delves into death anxiety and regret, exploring how these emotions shape our relationships. He shares personal tales of love, loss, and acceptance, emphasizing the vital role of interpersonal connections as we confront life’s inevitable end. His wisdom offers therapists and listeners alike guidance on living meaningfully.

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ANECDOTE

Yalom's Early Life and Love

Irvin Yalom grew up in a segregated D.C. neighborhood, finding refuge in books and chess with his father.
At 14, he moved, met his wife Marilyn, and strategically transferred medical schools to be near her.

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ANECDOTE

Early Encounters with Death

Yalom witnessed both of his parents' unexpected deaths.
He was also present during his father's severe coronary, which inspired his medical career.

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ANECDOTE

Existential Awakening

Yalom's interest in existentialism began with Rollo May's book on existence.
This inspired him to study philosophy while a resident, despite lacking prior formal education in it.

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Growing Up in Segregation

01:39 • 5min

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Reflections on Life and Death

07:09 • 9min

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Facing the Inevitability of Death

16:19 • 10min

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Exploring Existential Isolation and Personal Connections

26:31 • 2min

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Reflections on Therapy and Lost Conversations

28:30 • 2min

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Reflections on Love, Loss, and Legacy

30:15 • 20min

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Exploring Death Anxiety and the Essence of a Fulfilled Life

Set in 19th-century Vienna, the novel blends fact and fiction to tell the story of Josef Breuer, one of the founding fathers of psychoanalysis, and his therapeutic sessions with Friedrich Nietzsche. The story revolves around Breuer's experimental 'talking cure' and how it affects both Breuer and Nietzsche as they delve into their unconscious desires and fears. The novel explores the intellectual and philosophical atmosphere of the era and the redemptive power of friendship and therapeutic relationships.

Love's Executioner

And Other Tales of Psychotherapy

Irvin Yalom

Irvin Yalom's "Love's Executioner" is a collection of essays that explores the complexities of the therapeutic relationship. Yalom, a renowned psychiatrist, shares his insights and experiences, offering a profound look into the human condition. The essays delve into themes of love, death, meaning, and the search for authenticity. Yalom's writing is both insightful and engaging, making complex psychological concepts accessible to a wider audience. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in psychotherapy, existentialism, or the human experience.

Gone with the Wind

Margaret Mitchell

Published in 1936, 'Gone with the Wind' is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the complexities of human passions during the American Civil War and Reconstruction. The story revolves around Scarlett O’Hara, the spoiled and manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Georgia, as she navigates through heartbreak, ambition, and survival. The novel vividly depicts the dramatic changes and social upheaval of the time, featuring a cast of unforgettable characters including Rhett Butler, Melanie Hamilton, and Ashley Wilkes. It is a sweeping narrative filled with intricate character relationships, emotional depth, and a striking commentary on resilience in the face of adversity.

Existence

David Brin

Existence is a galactic-scale science fiction novel that delves into themes of first contact, the Fermi paradox, and humanity's potential for survival. The story weaves together multiple narratives, exploring future technologies, societal changes, and the challenges of existence. While it is rich in ideas and worldbuilding, some readers find it disjointed due to its complex structure and abrupt plot shifts.

Existential Psychotherapy

Irvin D. Yalom

Existential Psychotherapy by Irvin D. Yalom is a seminal work that provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing the core existential dilemmas of human existence. The book is organized around four ultimate concerns: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness, and draws from clinical experience, philosophy, and literature to offer insights into personality, psychopathology, and therapeutic strategies.

Becoming Myself

Irvin D. Yalom

In *Becoming Myself*, Irvin D. Yalom shares a profound and insightful memoir, turning his therapeutic eye inward to explore his own life and development. The book invites readers to reflect on the origins of their own selves and the meanings of their lives. Yalom's reflections offer a rich exploration of his favorite themes with honesty and openness.

Man's Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl

The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.

The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy

Molyn Leszcz

Irvin D. Yalom

This book is a detailed guide to group psychotherapy, co-authored by Irvin Yalom and Molyn Leszcz. It covers a wide range of topics including the creation and maintenance of the group, therapeutic group norms, the role of the therapist, transference and transparency, client selection, and group composition. The book also discusses specialized formats and procedural aids, online psychotherapy groups, and training for group therapists. It is highly regarded and has been translated into more than a dozen languages.

Inpatient Group Psychotherapy

Irvin Yalom

The Gift of Therapy

Irvin Yalom

The Gift of Therapy is a comprehensive guide that offers eighty-five insightful tips for therapists, drawing from Irvin Yalom's extensive experience in psychotherapy. The book aims to enrich the therapeutic process by providing practical advice on how to create a more effective and meaningful therapy experience for both therapists and patients. It covers topics such as the importance of self-disclosure, creating personalized therapy approaches, and acknowledging errors.

A Matter of Death and Life

Marilyn Yalom

Irvin D. Yalom

In 'A Matter of Death and Life', Irvin and Marilyn Yalom share their year-long journey facing mortality and grief. The book alternates between their perspectives as they navigate the challenges of a terminal illness, offering insights into intimacy, love, and living without regret. It is a profound love story that explores universal questions about life and death.

Today it’s great to have Irvin Yalom on the podcast. Yalom is emeritus professor of psychiatry at Stanford University’s School of Medicine and author of many internationally bestselling books including Love’s Executioner, The Gift of Therapy, Becoming Myself, and When Nietzsche Wept. He was the recipient of the 1974 Edward Strecker Award and the 1979 Foundations’ Fund Prize in Psychiatry. His textbooks Inpatient Group Psychotherapy and Existential Psychotherapy are classics and have influenced me personally, deeply. Dr. Yalom lives in Palo Alto, California.

Topics

· Dr. Yalom’s childhood and upbringing

· Dr. Yalom’s interest in existential psychology

· Group therapy and death anxiety

· Rollo May’s influence on Dr. Yalom

· Dr. Yalom’s books

· Death anxiety and regret

· Coping with his wife’s death

· Meeting Viktor Frankl, Carl Rogers, and other legends in psychology

· Last moments with Rollo May

· A Matter of Death and Life with the Yaloms

· Dr. Yalom’s advice to therapists

· Overcoming the terror of death

· Serene acceptance of death

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