James Bugental

Assessment | Biopsychology | Comparative | Cognitive | Developmental | Language | Individual differences | Personality | Philosophy | Social |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |

Clinical: Approaches · Group therapy · Techniques · Types of problem · Areas of specialism · Taxonomies · Therapeutic issues · Modes of delivery · Model translation project · Personal experiences ·

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Elizabeth & Jim Bugental

James Bugental is one of the predominant theorists and advocates of the Existential-Humanistic Therapy movement. He has been an active therapist, teacher and writer in for over 50 years. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University, was named a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in 1955, and was the first recipient of the APA's Division of Humanistic Psychology's Rollo May Award. He has held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations, including president of the California State Psychological Association. Currently, he serves as a consultant and teacher, and continues to write about existential psychotherapy.

Theory

In "The Search for Authenticity" (1965), Bugental summarized the postulates of Humanistic Psychology, often quoted by other theorists:

• Human beings cannot be reduced to components.
• Human beings have in them a uniquely human context.
• Human consciousness includes an awareness of oneself in the context of other people.
• Human beings have choices and responsibilities.
• Human beings are intentional, they seek meaning, value and creativity.

Publications

• "The Search for Authenticity" (1965)
• "Psychotherapy and Process" (1978)
• "The Art of the Psychotherapist" (1992)
• "Psychotherapy Isn't What You Think" (1999)