CBT and Existential Psychology From Common Ground to Clinical Metacompetence

Explore the possibilities and challenges of bringing two highly diverse disciplines- CBT and existential therapy- into dialogue 

In CBT and Existential Psychology: Philosophy, Psychology, and Therapy, distinguished clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Worrell delivers a singular exploration of the relationship between diverse forms of contemporary cognitive behaviour therapy and existential phenomenology. Written for both experienced and beginning CBT therapists, as well as therapists who practice from an existential perspective, this book clarifies and discusses the potential and challenges presented when these two different schools of thought and practice are brought into dialogue. 

The author outlines, in accessible fashion, the implications and possibilities offered by the combination of CBT and existential practice. He also presents a series of discussions with the highly experienced CBT therapists, researchers, and trainers, Tomas Heidenreich and Alexander Noyon, and existential therapy leader Ernesto Spinelli. 

The book includes a series of "existential reflections" and experiential exercises to allow the reader to develop an understanding of descriptive phenomenological approaches to therapeutic conversations. 

Readers will also find: 

• A thorough introduction to existential philosophy, psychology, and therapy, including the theory and practice of existential therapy. 
• Comprehensive discussions of cognitive and behavioural psychotherapies, including Beckian CBT, schema-focused therapies, and constructivist, narrative and postmodern CBT
• In-depth explorations of existential challenges and contributions to therapy, including discussions of anxiety, possibility, and uncertainty
• Enlightening dialogues on CBT and existential psychology with Tomas Heidenreich, Alexander Noyon, and Ernesto Spinelli 

Perfect for beginning and advanced CBT and existential therapists, CBT and Existential Psychology: Philosophy, Psychology, and Therapy will also earn a place in the libraries of trainee clinical and counselling psychologists, as well as integrative and humanistic psychotherapists. 

Michael Worrell, PhD, is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with Central and North West London Mental Health Foundation Trust where he leads the Central London CBT Training Centre. He is an accredited CBT Therapist, Supervisor, and Trainer with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. 

About the author 
Contributors 
Acknowledgements
Preface

1. Introduction 

Part 1: Existential Philosophy, Psychology and Therapy 
2. Existential Philosophy 
3. Existential Psychology
4. Existential Therapy- Theory 
5. Existential Therapy- Practice 

Part 2: Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies 
6. 'Beckian' CBT 
7. Schema Focused Therapies 
8. Constructivist, Narrative and Postmodern CBT 
9. Mindfulness, Acceptance and the third wave of CBT 
10. Existential Psychology and CBT- covergence and divergence 

Part 3: Existential Challenges and Contributions 
11. The Therapeutic Relationship 
12. Anxiety, Possibility, Uncertainty
13. Dreaming and Describing 
14. Towards an existentially attuned CBT 

Part 4: Dialogues on CBT and Existential Psychology 
15. Thomas heidenreich and Alexander Noyon 
16. Ernesto Spinelli 

References 
Index