Join us for a profound exploration into the life and work of Emmy van Deurzen, a revered psychotherapist and author, as she unpacks her personal journey from a war-torn upbringing to a career dedicated to alleviating human suffering. Emmy shares how the hardships faced by her mother during the Second World War shaped her own sense of responsibility and mission. With a deep appreciation for philosophy, especially the teachings of Socrates, Emmy reveals how these intellectual foundations enabled her to transform sensitivity into powerful, purposeful action in the field of psychotherapy.
Discover the transformative power of sharing wisdom and embracing the existential movement in this episode, where we illuminate the importance of dispersing knowledge generously in a world hungry for meaning. By fostering global communities of like-minded individuals, or “sanghas,” we envision a gentle revolution that redirects humanity towards authentic values and fulfillment. With optimism, we consider how reconnecting with wisdom can help humanity rediscover its purpose and heal both mentally and spiritually.
We also navigate the terrain of vulnerability and personal growth through adversity. Through a poignant story of resilience, we highlight a pivotal turning point at age 17 that led to a deeper understanding of vulnerability as a source of strength. By engaging with creative expression and community support, we see how adversities can become catalysts for personal renewal and growth. As we conclude, there’s a celebration of the courage found in embracing vulnerability and the profound resilience that emerges from life’s challenges.
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Malcolm Stern has worked as a group and individual psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He was a co-founder of Alternatives at St James’s Church in London and runs groups internationally.
He is the author of Falling in Love / Staying in Love (Piatkus 2004) and Slay Your Dragons with Compassion ( Watkins 2020). He co-presented Channel 4’s relationship series, ‘Made for Each Other’ in 2003 and 2004 and sailed on the ‘Rainbow Warrior’ with Greenpeace in the 1980s. The book he is currently writing is an exploration of the shadow and its necessity in our evolutionary development.
Emmy van Deurzen is a professor of Psychology and Psychotherapy with 18 books to her name, several of which have been translated into a dozen languages. She is the Co-Founder and Principal of the Existential Academy, where she also runs post graduate courses through the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in partnership with Middlesex University and her private practice.
Born and raised in the Netherlands, she lived, studied, and worked in France before settling in the UK in 1977. Emmy has been instrumental in founding or cofounding numerous organizations, including the Society for Existential Analysis, the Federation for Existential Therapy in Europe and the World Confederation of Existential Therapy. She has helped people in facing their life problems and suffering for nearly half a century.
Amongst her books are the bestsellers Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling in Practice (3d edition 2012), Psychotherapy and the Quest for Happiness (Sage, 2009), Everyday Mysteries (2nd edition Routledge, 2010) and Paradox and Passion (2nd edition, Wiley, 2015). Her book Rising from Existential Crisis was published with PCCS books in 2021. She is currently writing a book on Existential Freedom for Penguin.
