Comments on: Existential Rehab

By: Pavel G. Somov, Ph.D.

Pavel G. Somov, Ph.D. — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:20:03 +0000

dd: not exactly, to my knowledge; but perhaps – see others’ comments to this post; i wish you well in your search.

By: dd

dd — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:50:25 +0000

Is there anything like this in the U.S.? I live in the San Francisco Bay area and I would imagine something like this exists around here but I can’t figure out how to search for it. I desperately need help to overcome my life-long feeling of emptiness and regular therapy just hasn’t been elemental, aggressive and extreme enough to get to the source of my problems. I’m an adult survivor of childhood emotional neglect and I’ve had probably one of the most directionless lives imaginable for a person approaching the age of 40. OK, enough of my story. Just wondering about this. An intimate rehab environment is what I feel I really need but I’m not “addicted” to anything but feeling empty and hopeless in spite of my obvious potential.

By: Pavel G. Somov, Ph.D.

Pavel G. Somov, Ph.D. — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:00:19 +0000

Sounds great. Congratulations! And thank you for sharing.

By: Daniel Jordan

Daniel Jordan — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:53:57 +0000

There actually is an ‘existential’ rehab (in Powell River, British Columbia) and this is how your suggested curriculum is covered:

(1) the habit of making one’s own meaning (program is based, in part, on Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy),

(2) the habit of noticing ordinary perfection (program is set in a waterfront location and planned outdoor activities give clients the opportunity to connect with nature),

(3) the habit of being present in the moment (mindfulness and yoga are practiced on a weekly basis),

(4) the habit of making conscious choices (taking responsibility is a core precept of existential psychotherapy which is observed in both both house rules and the clinical program.),

(5) the habit of self-acceptance (acceptance is one of the spiritual principles of AA and this is taught in psycho-education groups),

(6) the habit of accepting uncertainty (clients are taught the Serenity Prayer … many people with addictions are control freaks and therapy also covers this),

(7) the habit of forgiving and compassion (again, spiritual principles of AA).

Our particular version of therapy is existential-humanistic with contributions from logotherapy and positive psychology. Positive psychology balances out the existentialism and vice versa. In other words, we focus on the strengths of our clients but acknowledge their suffering as a heroic struggle to find meaning and purpose.

By: Self-Help for the Ultimate Do-It-Yourselfer | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living

Self-Help for the Ultimate Do-It-Yourselfer | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:46:06 +0000

[...] Existential Self-Rehab Pavel Somov, Ph.D. is the author of "Eating the Moment" (New Harbinger, 2008), "Present Perfect" [...]

By: Cutting the Costs of Perfectionism | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living

Cutting the Costs of Perfectionism | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:30:14 +0000

[...] Perfectionism isn’t cheap. In fact, it is existentially unaffordable. Here’s a review of these costs and of the possible ways of cutting them, with the help of an existential self-rehab. [...]

By: Pavel G. Somov, Ph.D.

Pavel G. Somov, Ph.D. — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 20:04:56 +0000

Thank you, Marie. Be well.

By: Marie

Marie — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:31:06 +0000

Hi, Dr. Somov -

What a simple and beautiful post . . . a great reminder of what is most important! Thank you!

- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)

By: Existential Rehab | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living Eating

Existential Rehab | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living Eating — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:21:01 +0000

[...] original post here: Existential Rehab | 360 Degrees of Mindful Living By admin | category: living | tags: all-these, better-worlds, every-kind, experience, [...]

By: PsychCentral

PsychCentral — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:35:00 +0000

Mindful Living Blog: Existential Rehab http://bit.ly/9Q7DHr