| Abstract: | From Freud's observation that "the ego is first and foremost a body ego," criteria for an adequate system of psychotherapy are deduced. These criteria necessitate a system of psycho-somato-therapy that contains "lived body" or "body-as-subject" and that refers disregarded body or body-as-object to some conception of pathology. To be truly systematic, such a theory of psychotherapy must consider character type, awareness of mind–body unity/disunity, and usual methods of maintaining defensive operations and characterological rigidities. Four contemporary systems of therapy (Gestalt, bio-energetics, neo-Reichian or direct-body-contact, and transactional analysis) are criticized in this respect. A phenomenological-existential synthesis, called "bio-existential therapy," which minimizes the inadequacies and maximizes the strengths of each of these therapy systems, is described and demonstrated. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
