Logotherapy
What is Logotherapy?
Logotherapy is a positive healing approach which encourages the understanding that every person’s life has purpose, MEANING and direction, despite circumstances. I began studying Logotherapy in 2011 to be better equipped to guide my patients in their, “Why me…?” questions. I qualified as a professional Logotherapist and my final thesis, entitled, “Healing through meaning: A holistic approach in treating physical and emotional afflictions,” explored how when we find meaning in life, our symptoms and illnesses can improve.
Dr. Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) author of Man’s Search for Meaning, a psychiatrist and neurologist who lived in Vienna both before and after WWII, was the founder of Logotherapy. Frankl’s work before, and then as an inmate in the concentration camps was to help people find meaning in their lives, despite circumstances.
Frankl quotes Nietzsche who said: “He who has a WHY to live for can bear almost any HOW.” Logotherapy explores how to do this. Logos means meaning in Greek, hence logotherapy = meaning therapy, and it is based on three primary principles:
- Life is unconditionally meaningful. There is no situation where meaning cannot be found.
- We have the freedom to make meaningful choices in life.
- Our strongest motivation is the desire for our life to have meaning and purpose.
Who can benefit from Logotherapy?
Anyone overwhelmed and struggling with life circumstances can benefit from logotherapy. What do you do when life presents challenges? ” Logotherapy can help you change the way you look at your circumstances, empowering you to ask, “What now?”, instead of feeling helpless asking, “Why me?” Logotherapy doesn’t ask “why” things happen, but will help and encourage you to find answers to “what now”. Dr. Frankl says, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
- What kind of questions do you ask yourself?
- What type of action do you take to overcome your difficulties?
- Who are you in the face of suffering?
- How are you changed by your challenge?
- What kind of life do you want to live and why is this important?
Every day we have opportunities to find meaning in whatever is going on in our lives, despite whether it is good or bad. Logotherapy encourages and guides you to find this meaning and to do something to actualize it. In a session, we explore the answers to the above questions that will lead you to live more meaningfully and purposefully.
My goal through Logotherapy
There is a saying by James Allen that I love, and it epitomizes what logotherapy is all about, and what I am passionate about helping people achieve. I find it very powerful:
“Circumstances don’t make a man, they reveal him.”
I find this profound. Who are we when life throws challenges at us? And, how do we cope with the difficulties and tragedies that come our way? I welcome you on this journey to explore your challenges through a logotherapy lens.
30 minute Morning meditation –
Empowering your choices. Setting intention.
Client Testimonials
‘Searching for self’ client:
“The first time I heard about Logotherapy was at a talk Devorah Kur gave on the subject at a luncheon I was attending. The concept that I wouldn’t have to go through a long process of therapy before I was able to discuss what was troubling me today was the first thing that drew me to this new idea called Logotherapy.
I began meeting with Devorah soon afterwards and at our first session I already knew that I had made the right decision. As I continued my therapy, I found that she understood my difficulties and showed me how to deal with them. I’ve learned:
- to look at my problems differently.
- that I’m in charge of my life – to let go of what others think or say about me.
- how to change my attitude about what to worry about. Why worry about something I have no control over.
- to like myself for who I am and that I’m someone special in my own right.
- to be more assertive with my family and friends.
Thank you Devorah and to Logotherapy for helping me improve my life.”
Infertility client –
“Thank you for the amazing role you played in the lead up to the birth of our daughter. You will never know how much you helped me. You were the most strong and available shoulder to lean on and cry on, and for that I am truly grateful.
You are a master in your field and your knowledge got me through a time I didn’t think had an end, and look where we are now!”
Insomnia client –
“I was referred to Devorah Kur for Logotherapy. It was suggested to me that she may be able to use this type of therapy to help me understand and treat my lifelong insomnia. She made me feel very relaxed and I was able to talk about many things from my past that I did not actually realize were troubling me.
She gave me some tools to help me when trying to fall asleep, and together we learned a great deal about the person I am, and where I want my life to take me. She was patient and kind and a great listener! I feel that I gained a lot from our sessions and I would urge other people to experience her style of therapy.” R.E. insomnia – Israel