Editorial

EDITORIAL

We are delighted to be able to open this, the second volume of the twenty-fourth edition of Existential Analysis, with a number of papers given by invited speakers at the 2012 Annual Conference of the Society for Existential Analysis. Readers will recall that the conference focused on the challenges for practice raised by the various work contexts in which we find ourselves, and engaged with the fundamental question: 'How do we respond both personally and professionally, when working at the social, political, spatial or cultural margins? The conference itself was an instance of working with the unknown as the afternoon session was thrown open to delegates spontaneously developing their own ideas through an Open Space structure. Marion Steel's paper seeks to address how we respond to a culture which values science over art, and which in an NHS context threatens to limit our ability to practice psychotherapy as an art. In our second paper Paul Gordon writes passionately about the impact of bureaucratisation and medicalisation of emotional suffering. Greg Madison's paper gives an account of his conference workshop on thinking freshly from our own experience of existence.

This edition also contains five papers that reflect a diverse range of subjects with which existentially-oriented colleagues are currently engaged. Among these are two that offer an alternative understanding of aspects of existential theory. Kathryn Jackson makes a case for a creative and liberating, rather than pessimistic, understanding of Sartre's concept of the look; Christian Gillian explores Heidegger's writing on boredom and suggests in its profound state it may provide a 'primary route to authenticity and life-affirmation'.

We are also delighted to include, in a departure from our usual practice, two extended papers in this edition. Ernesto Spinelli offers the first half of a paper which will conclude in our January 2014 edition, presenting his most recent thinking on human sexuality in which he further develops ideas first outlined in this Journal in 1996. Verity Gavin brings the articles in this edition to a close with a fascinating discussion of the innovative Creative Existential Therapy which she presented at the 2012 SEA Conference. We hope that readers will be stimulated and inspired by all of the papers, and particularly by these extended contributions. We encourage responses via papers or letters for inclusion in future volumes.

As usual we include a number of very informative book reviews; our thanks to Martin Adams who can be contacted if you are interested in reviewing any titles on the current book list.

We are very pleased to welcome two new distinguished members to our Editorial Board: Professor of Psychology Kevin Krycka from Seattle University and Dr Yaqui Martinez, Director of the Círculo de Estudios in Existential Psychotherapy based in Mexico City. We welcome them both to the Journal and look forward to working with them.

Simon du Plock
Greg Madison