Logotherapy by Viktor Frankl

“Logos” is a Greek word that means “meaning”. Logotherapy is the treatment of people who feel their life lacks meaning. Treatment is geared toward helping them to develop a sense of meaning in their lives and this meaning may be developed through fostering the idea of a purposeful life. Logotherapy may not appeal to everyone. But an increasing numbe of escientits

Logotherapy follows a few basic but important steps:

·         There is still purpose in life even if it is full of anxiety and misery

·         Searching for a purpose in life is something that should be admired and encouraged

·         People should be mentally free to think about all aspects of life, as well as the potential risks and the options for handling issues in life.

Viktor Frankl developed the concept of logotherapy. It is a therapeutic method however it seems to rely less on the overall feelings and thoughts of the patient. Frankl felt that our body relies on the spirit residing in it to motivate it and spur it on to other accomplishments. He felt that a person’s life must have purpose and some objective to accomplish. If this is not the case, then something is lost in that person’s spirit. In fact, Frankl felt that the worst thing a person could experience is the sensation of living a life with no purpose or direction.

This should not give you the impression that Frankl was talking about a religious experience or espousing a particular system of belief. However he did feel that there should be a focus which keeps that person moving and motivated. It is simply the meaning of life itself that man was created to discover. Frankl thought that people will have a fruitful life if they are able to recognize the beauty of the spirit inside them.

This method of therapy relies on patients being able to think freely, without prejudice or preconceived notions. Frankl felt that there did not need to be a physical involvement in a therapeutic process which was purely mental. There are three basic steps which Frankl felt were involved in the search for the meaning of life. They are:

·         Do a deed

·         Experience a value whether that be nature, a work of art, something beautiful, or something that is loved

·         Use suffering as a way to learn about the meaning of life

Frankl felt, however, that unless the first two ways of establishing meaning were not available, suffering was not the best way to teach the meaning and value in life. Suffering can be an excellent method to teach different values and impart certain information but it is not the best way to learn about the meaning of life according to Frankl’s theories.

Frankl’s therapy is aimed at helping people recognize the meaning in their lives and living a happy life. By connecting with the people around us and communicating with them, it may be possible to make that person feel happy and valued and give them a sense of joy which will help them discover the meaning in their own lives.

Frankl’s approach works well on people who may not be interested in, or ready to undergo theory. This is a method which would allow multiple therapists to treat the patient as long as the patient has made a connection with the therapist. As the therapy continues and the patient gains more attention they begin to realise their own importance and find value in that way. A proper course of logotherapy requires patience and supportive behaviour from the therapist. One of the things that may be needed in this course of therapy is for patients to do the opposite of what may be difficult for them. For example, if someone suffers from insomnia, the therapist may tell them not to try to sleep intentionally.

This is because Frankl believed that people should want to do what they are doing. They should not simply perform an act because they feel obligated to. He believed that a person’s lifetime should be full of meaning and that is difficult to accomplish if you are performing different duties because it is expected of you. Frankl believes that people are blessed with a lifespan that allows them to accomplish things they want.

Frankl even coined a term for those people who progress through life with no feeling of meaning. People who were in this situation are often termed “the prisoner”.  It is the belief of the logotherapy approach that people who are in this position are most likely extremely unhappy in their day-to-day lives.