Viktor Frankl is best described as a founder of which therapy?

Viktor Frankl is best described as a founder of which therapy?

• A. Existential therapy
• B. Psychoanalytic therapy
• C. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• D. Humanistic therapy

Answer: (A)

At the heart of Viktor Frankl’s approach is the belief that meaning is the primary motive of human life. He created logotherapy, a form of existential therapy, to help people discover purpose in their lives and even in difficult or painful circumstances. In practice, the focus is on identifying what gives a person meaning, exploring values, and choosing attitudes and actions that align with that meaning, even when external conditions cannot be changed. This stands in contrast to other traditions: psychoanalytic therapy emphasizes uncovering unconscious conflicts, cognitive-behavioral therapy centers on changing thoughts and behaviors, and humanistic therapy highlights self-actualization within a client-centered relationship. Frankl’s emphasis on meaning, freedom of choice, and responsibility under pressure is what makes existential therapy the best fit for describing his contribution.

At the heart of Viktor Frankl’s approach is the belief that meaning is the primary motive of human life. He created logotherapy, a form of existential therapy, to help people discover purpose in their lives and even in difficult or painful circumstances. In practice, the focus is on identifying what gives a person meaning, exploring values, and choosing attitudes and actions that align with that meaning, even when external conditions cannot be changed. This stands in contrast to other traditions: psychoanalytic therapy emphasizes uncovering unconscious conflicts, cognitive-behavioral therapy centers on changing thoughts and behaviors, and humanistic therapy highlights self-actualization within a client-centered relationship. Frankl’s emphasis on meaning, freedom of choice, and responsibility under pressure is what makes existential therapy the best fit for describing his contribution.