Spiritual Existential Counseling: A Path with Heart and Soul

This profound writing presents counseling as a path, even perhaps as a spiritual path, rather than a job or even a profession. Randolph Severson understands the gift and the attendant responsibility of holding, with care, the soul and spirit life of someone suffering. And how that same suffering person holds the inner power to find 'true north' again, when, finally heard. The miracle of counseling as consoling lies not in 'knowing about' the person, but 'knowing-with.' This kind of knowing requires the counselor to have found the boundary between 'being' and 'doing', a deep kind of self-presence, a dedication of one's very being for the restoration of the the life of another. This writing is a needed inspiration for those who begin training to become a counselor and struggle to hold the idealism of the healing power of presence in the face of 'theories' of counseling that easily obscure the utter preciousness, the unrepeatable moment, the completely unique particularity of the person seeking help. This is the path of counseling, and it is brilliantly brought to life in this writing.

Randolph Severson, Ph.D. is a counselor whose many writings are known for their 'soul, ' their expressive blend of rich imagery, erudition, and compassionate humanity. An early student and assistant to James Hillman, he trained in the structural strategic therapies of Minuchin and Haley. Severson is a recipient of the Baran-Pannor Award for Excellence in Adoption, and the Congressional Angel of Adoption. He has practiced for thirty years in Dallas. 'In an age when those who attend to the suffering of others are squeezed between insurance company mandates for managed care and the increasing use of drugs for all manner of suffering, Dr. Severson's book creates a space where healers and their patients can pause, take a deep breath, engage and be engaged by the ordinary miracles at the heart of a truly human encounter. Reading this book is itself an unfolding of that mystery where author and reader meet each other as companions. Given the author's rich, evocative and loving celebration of language, companion is the apt word. Read this book and be nourished by the bread of words that feed the spirit.' Robert D. Romanyshyn, Ph.D. Affiliate Member of The Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, author of The Soul in Grief: Love, Death and Transformation.