Editorial

Welcome to the first issue of volume 24 of Existential Analysis. It is our sad privilege to open this issue with tributes to two esteemed figures in the world of existential psychotherapy, Maurice Friedman and Thomas Szasz, both of whom have recently passed from our midst. Simon du Plock offers a personal reflection on his friendship with Prof. Friedman, while Anthony Stadlen contributes his insights into the man and the work of Prof. Szasz.

The issue continues with a scholarly article by our Italian colleague, Gianfranco Buffardi, President of the Istituto di Scienze Umane ed Esistenziali, Napoli, exploring the ethical ramifications of psychiatric treatment. Rodrigues and Montenegro, colleagues from Lisbon, continue the broad theme of diagnosis by suggesting that existential therapists need to make ontological sense of the diagnosis of personality disorder.

Martin Adams' address to the International Federation of Daseinsanalysis describes human development as a "lifelong process model" rather than a stage model, and Bull's personal account of "mental health services" brings us back to the theme of practice ethics and the individual impact of our language and assumptions as therapists.

Todd Dubose's article utilises Kierkegaard's insights to question "evidence-based" criteria while Bean draws upon Merleau-Ponty to explore the phenomenon of seeing and being seen and its therapeutic relevance.

Guiomar Gabriel continues the emphasis on "clinical" practice in this issue, with her case study account of a psychotherapy journey seen through the concept of freedom. Ryan Kemp's article "Rock-Bottom As An Event Of Truth" gives us a rethinking of addiction and 12-step recovery in existential-phenomenological terms.

Foust investigates "the tragic", by comparing the thought of William James and Simone de Beauvoir, followed by Louise Lumb's rethinking of resentment and finally, Pagdin's model of existential phenomenological supervision. Following these articles are a number of insightful and useful book reviews and a list of books waiting to be reviewed.

We are delighted by the rich assortment and international flavour to the contributions in this edition of Existential Analysis and would like to remind readers that responses and replies are always welcome, in the true spirit of open dialogue.

Simon du Plock

Greg Madison