Meaning-centered psychotherapy Book Section
| Authors: | Lichtenthal, W. G.; Applebaum, A. J.; Breitbart, W. S. |
| Editors: | Holland, J. C.; Breitbart, W. S.; Butow, P. N.; Jacobsen, P. B.; Loscalzo, M. J.; McCorkle, R. |
| Article/Chapter Title: | Meaning-centered psychotherapy |
| Abstract: | (from the chapter) For many patients, a terminal cancer diagnosis brings with it a sense of fear and despair. As physical limitations mount and important roles and activities are challenged, they may develop a sense of hopelessness and even a desire for hastened death. These individuals may not be suffering from a clinical depression,' but rather are often confronting an existential crisis of loss of meaning, value, and purpose because of their advanced disease. Meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP) arose from a need to deal with this challenging clinical problem-a problem for which no effective intervention was, as yet, available. Inspired primarily by the works of Viktor FrankF and further informed by the contributions of Irvin Yalom,-' our research group adapted Frankl's concepts involving the importance of meaning in human existence (and his "logotherapy") and created a brief intervention to enhance meaning and purpose in advanced cancer patients, even in the face of death. While MCP relies heavily on Frankl's concepts of meaning, it also incorporates other fundamental existential concepts related to the search, connection, and creation of meaning. Using didactics and experiential exercises in each session, the therapist and the patient(s) work together to help patients understand the importance and relevance of sustaining, reconnecting with, and creating meaning in their lives through common and reliable sources of meaning. Furthermore, patients are taught that these various sources of meaning may serve as resources during especially difficult times to help diminish despair near the end of life. Both individual and group formats of MCP have been developed and tested. Meaning-centered group psychotherapy (MCGP) is an eight-week intervention with groups of advanced cancer patients. In our trials of MCGP, we often started with 8 to 10 participants, though attrition was common because of the advanced disease.' There has been increasing recognition of the importance of moving beyond pain and physical symptom control in palliative care; psychiatric, psychosocial, existential, and spiritual domains are also critical to comprehensive end-of-life care. Acknowledging the psychological as well as spiritual domains of end-of-life care has been identified as a priority by both medical professionals and cancer patients themselves. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved). |
| Keywords: | palliative care; psychotherapy; hopelessness; brief interventions |
| Book Title: | Psycho-Oncology. 3rd ed |
| ISBN: | 978-0-19-936331-5 |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
| Publication Place: | Oxford, UK |
| Date Published: | 2015-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 475 |
| End Page: | 479 |
| Language: | English |
| ACCESSION: | Book: 2014-48591-060 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/med/9780199363315.003.0060 |
| PROVIDER: | Ovid Technologies |
| PROVIDER: | psycinfo |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Book Chapter: 60 -- Source: PsycINFO |
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191Applebaum -
119Lichtenthal
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