Alfried Längle International Society for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, Vienna

1. The person’s inner consent as a central source for mental healthKeynote address at the Mental Health Congress in Moscow Oct. 8, 2016 Alfried Längle International Society for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, Vienna www.existential-analysis.org www.ieapp.ru/ www.laengle.info

2. 1. Mental health and existence

3. 1. Mental health and existence Basis: Mental health → must refertotheconditions of human life in itstotality → onlyfulfillingexistencecanleadtoormaintainpsychichealth

4. 1. Mental health and existence Consequence: Mental health → needs an anthropology (concept of man) for knowing how existence can come to fulfillment

5. 2. Key for fulfilling existence

6. 2. Key for fulfilling existence Basis for fulfillment in life: Not being forced – to be free. To direct one‘s life with one‘s own decisions = one‘s will

7. 2. Key for fulfilling existence → makes oneself present in one‘s life, harmonizing one‘s actions with one‘s real self and real values

8. 2. Key for fulfilling existence Key for fulfillment in life: Inner consent to what one does (or let be)

9. 2. Key for fulfilling existence What is: Inner consent (approval)?

10. 2. Key for fulfilling existence Consent – a complex activity: = experiencedasan inner „yes“ towhatonedoes (orletbe)

11. 2. Key for fullfilling existence Consent– a complexactivity: = experiencedasan inner „yes“ towhatonedoes (orletbe) ► mustbefelt ► feeling of inneraccordance ►cognitiveunderstanding

12. 2. Key for fulfilling existence Consent– a complexactivity: Based on the four dimensions of existence: • Reality (world) • Life (values) • Person (authenticity) • Future (meaning)

13. 2. Key for fulfilling existence Consequences of consent: … it empowers, strengthens … life affirmation … self-acceptance … high intrinsic motivation … less stress

14. 2. Key for fulfilling existence Consequences of consent: → openingup + feelfree → commitment → presence → experiencing the value of what one does

15. 2. Key for fulfilling existence Consequences of consent: experiencing the value of what one does … → givesinnerfullfillment

16. 2. Key for fulfilling existence Psychopathology arises from a lack of clarity, decisiveness and/or dealing-potentialities – life is not „responded“ (responsibility) because of a blocked „dialogue”

17. 3. The existential dynamics

18. “It is life itself that asks questions of man. (…) it is not up to man to question; rather he should recognize that he is questioned, questioned by life; (Frankl 1973, 62)

19. “It is life itself that asks questions of man. (…) it is not up to man to question; rather he should recognize that he is questioned, questioned by life; he has to respond by being responsible; and he can answer to life only by answering for his life.” (Frankl 1973, 62)

20. 3. The existential dynamics In other words… Beinghumanmeans:  beingquestionned tolivemeans:  givinganswers

21. 4. The Existential Structure

22. According to Yalom (1980) : Existence claims clarity with its basic themes: • Groundlessness in world • Death of life • Loneliness as person • meaning (absurdity)

23. 4. The Existential Structure The 4 „pilars“ of Existential Therapy Theyarestructuring, helpingtobe „reallythere“

24. 4. The Existential Structure • Structure: • Dealingwiththereality: • → work on beingabletoacceptwhatisgiven

25. 4. The Existential Structure • acceptance: • Perception, takingthereality – instead of keepingupexpecta-tions, wishes, interpretations. • Development of power, courage, support for beingabletotrust.

26. 4. The Existential Structure • 2. Structure: • Tocometolive in it: • Work at theturningtowardsthegiven.

27. 4. The Existential Structure 2. Turning towards: Develop and caring of relationships, pleasure, closeness, to make life valuable.

28. 4. The Existential Structure • 3. Structure: • Tobeoneself in it: • → work at thelooking at the (own/other) person

29. 4. The Existential Structure 3. Looking at: Development of decisiveness, genuin, responsibility, appreciation, to be able to encounterauthentically.

30. 4. The Existential Structure • 4. Structure: • To deal withthefuture. • → work at thetuningwiththesituation

31. 4. The Existential Structure 4. Tuning: Openness for thesituation, for theneeded, for theoffered – instead of looking at programs, fixe aims and rigid plans – for findingmeaning.

32. Life is not “something” – it is the chance for something.(V. Frankl)

33. Thankyou for yourattention! www.laengle.info www.existential-analysis.org www.ieapp.ru