From the Back Cover
Working in the people professions - as a counsellor, coach, nurse or pastoral carer - means working with people who are facing difficult times, and who may have lost touch with what is meaningful in their life. For instance, transitory phases in life, such as graduating, retiring or diagnosis with terminal illness, can evoke questions about how one is to understand and overcome dissatisfaction or uncertainty, and rediscover meaning in life.
This inspiring, insightful new text provides a practical guide to helping clients live a meaningful and satisfying life despite the challenges they may be facing. The first part reviews the large body of research literature on meaning - in a wide range of psychological, philosophical and research approaches - translates this into specific recommendations for practitioners, and demonstrates the effectiveness of meaning-oriented approaches. The second part explores the basic skillset required for working effectively in this area - from how to assess clients' needs to address issues of meaning, to specific existential, phenomenological and mindfulness skills. Finally, it provides a step-wise ten-session treatment manual for practitioners seeking to help individuals with chronic or life-threatening physical diseases to live a meaningful and satisfying life despite the limitations of their illnesses.
In what is still an emerging area of practice, Meaning in Life stands alone as a comprehensive source of reference for both students and practitioners across the full range of people professions.
Dr Joel Vos is psychologist and philosopher. He is Director of the online education, therapy and research platform Meaning Online. He is an internationally recognised researcher on meaning in life, and is chairman of the IMEC International Meaning Conferences. Dr Vos gives lectures, training and supervision at universities and mental health services in the United Kingdom and abroad, such as the Metanoia Institute and the New School for Psychotherapy and Counselling in London. He has worked as Deputy Director of the Centre for Research in Social and psychological Transformation at the University of Roehampton, and as researcher at Leiden University and Amsterdam Vrije Universiteit. www.joelvos.com
Dr Joel Vos is psychologist and philosopher. He is Director of the online education, therapy and research platform Meaning Online. He is an internationally recognised researcher on meaning in life, and is chairman of the IMEC International Meaning Conferences. Dr Vos gives lectures, training and supervision at universities and mental health services in the United Kingdom and abroad, such as the Metanoia Institute and the New School for Psychotherapy and Counselling in London. He has worked as Deputy Director of the Centre for Research in Social and psychological Transformation at the University of Roehampton, and as researcher at Leiden University and Amsterdam Vrije Universiteit. www.joelvos.com
