LOGOTHERAPY: A PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACH AND ITS POTENTIALS

Abstract

The present work is the result of a systematic bibliographic literature review related to the pursuit of understanding the dynamics of a psychotherapy called Logotherapy. This clinical  psychotherapeutic approach was developed by psychiatrist and neurologist Viktor Emil  Frankl during the 1930s and is rooted in Existential and Humanistic Theories and  Techniques, which highlight elements of existentialist philosophy proposed by Sartre and  Nietzsche, as well as Husserlian and Heideggerian phenomenology. In the word 'Logotherapy,' we find the root 'logos,' which in this context refers to the sense or meaning of life. Therefore, Logotherapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that emphasizes the search for meaning in one's existence, encompassing an ontological explanation and focusing on the essence of human nature. The search for bibliographic material for this systematic review was conducted through the academic article indexing platform Scielo (Scielo.org).  This platform gathers scientific journals and articles that are also indexed in platforms related to health and psychology areas. The article selection investigation was carried out in June 2023, using the following inclusion and exclusion criteria: a) the keyword ‘logotherapy'; b) with the application of the Portuguese language filter, as the articles are widely accessible to the audience of national higher education institutions; c) without  applying any temporal restriction to the publication filter (selection). In this sense, a total of 11 articles were included, which were produced between 2007 and 2023. These academic and scientific sources allowed for the observation of fundamental concepts of Logotherapy, such as the will to meaning and self-transcendence of the individual. Additionally, they facilitated the recognition of opportunities for advancement in research and further deepening around psychotherapeutic approach, encompassing persons with diverse existential experiences and across different stages of life, from adolescents to the elderly  population.