Short-Term Existential Intervention in Clinical Practice

Short-Term Existential Intervention in Clinical Practice presents an existential approach to clinical intervention with clients experiencing a variety of emotional problems stemming from biological, psychological, social, and meaning and purpose issues. The book also focuses on the realities of short-term intervention and the effects limited contact between clients and treatment providers has on successful intervention.

The authors first relate theoretical material to the nature and experience of crisis including short-term intervention, environmental modification strategies, the principles of existential intervention, and cross-cultural concerns in existential practice. They then apply the existential intervention approach to various client populations, focusing on the existential strategies of holding, telling, mastering, and honoring.

Joseph Walsh (PhD, MSW, The Ohio State University) is professor of social work at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has been a direct services practitioner in the field of mental health since 1974. He continues to provide direct services to clients at the university counseling center. Professor Walsh was the 1998 recipient of the National Mental Health Association's George Goodman Brudney and Ruth P. Brudney Social Work Award, given annually to recognize significant contributions to the care and treatment of persons with mental illness. He is author of Endings in Clinical Practice: Effective Closure in Diverse Setting.

Jim Lantz (PhD, MSW, The Ohio State University) (d. 2003) was a professor and counselor educator at the Ohio State University College of Social Work. He published extensively in the areas of existential family therapy and cross-cultural social work practice. Professor Lantz was elected graduate teacher of the year by the students at the Ohio State University College of Social Work eight times, and in 2000 was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. He was also co-author of Cross-Cultural Practice: Social Work With Diverse Populations.