Abstract
An existential approach to the treatment of couples facing breast cancer, as well as qualitative themes describing the central clinical concerns of the couples in treatment, is outlined and described. In addition, a descriptive clinical study that reviews the changes made by 27 couples facing breast cancer treated by the first author between 1978 and 1998 is also outlined and described. A non-parametric test was used to determine that changes in scores on two clinical measures were significant, suggesting the usefulness of the presented existential clinical approach.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Crumbaugh, J., &; Maholick, L. (1964). Purpose in Life Test. Murfreesbro, TN: Psychometric Affiliates.
Frankl, V. (1959). From death camp to existentialism. Boston: Beacon Hill Press.
Glanze, W., Anderson, K., &; Anderson, L. (1996). Mosby medical encyclopedia. New York: Signet Books.
Heidegger, M. (1962). Being and time. New York: Harper and Row.
Kaplan, H. (1974). The new sex therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Lantz, J. (1974a). Existential treatment and the Vietnam veteran family.” In Ohio Department of Mental Health Yearly Report (pp. 33–36). Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Mental Health.
Lantz, J. (1974b). Marital Relationship Perceptions Test. Columbus: Lantz Counseling Associates.
Lantz, J. (1978). Family and marital therapy. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Lantz, J. (1993). Existential family therapy: Using the concepts of Viktor Frankl. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, Inc.
Lantz, J. (1996). Existential psychotherapy with chronic illness couples. Contemporary Family Therapy, 18, 197–208.
Lantz, J. (1999). Meaning and the post-parental couple. Journal of Religion and Health, 38, 53–65.
Lantz, J. (2000). Meaning-centered marital and family therapy: Learning to bear the beams of love. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Lantz, J., &; Alford, K. (1995). Existential family therapy with an urban-Appalachian adolescent. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 6, 15–27.
Lantz, J., &; Frazer, P. (1996). Existential psychotherapy with migration crisis couples. Crisis Intervention and Time Limited Treatment, 3, 155–163.
Lantz, J., &; Gregoire, T. (2000). Existential psychotherapy with Vietnam veteran couples: A twenty-five year report. Contemporary Family Therapy, 22, 19–37.
Lantz, J., &; Stuck, A. (1998). The art of working with traumatized couples. Journal of Couples Therapy, 7, 5–18.
Lantz, J., &; Witter, M. (1994). Existential psychotherapy with fast-track, suburban couples. Journal Contemporary Psychotherapy, 24, 281–293.
Marcel, G. (1948). The philosophy of existence. New York: Philosophical Library.
McDaniel, S., Hepworth, J., &; Doherty, W. (1992). Medical family therapy. New York: Norton.
Veach, T. (1999). Families of adult cancer patients. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 10, 43–60.
Yalom, I. (1970). Theory and practice of group psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.
Yalom, I. (1980). Existential psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.
Yalom, I., &; Greaves, L. (1977). Group therapy with the terminally ill. American Journal of Psychiatry, 134, 396–400.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lantz, J., Gregoire, T. Existential Psychotherapy with Couples Facing Breast Cancer: A Twenty Year Report. Contemporary Family Therapy 22, 315–327 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007812624449
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007812624449