James Frederick Thomas BugentalStefan E. Schulenberg, ''Approaching Terra Incognita with James F. T. Bugental: An Interview and an Overview of Existential-Humanistic Psychotherapy''. ''Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy'' (2003), 33, 4, pp. 273-285. (December 25, 1915 – September 17, 2008) was one of the predominant theorists and advocates of the Existential-humanistic therapy movement. He was a therapist, teacher and writer for over 50 years. He received his Ph.D. from

Ohio State University The Ohio State University, commonly called Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. A member of the University System of Ohio, it has been ranked by major institutional rankings among the best public ...

, was named a Fellow of the

American Psychological Association The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States, with over 133,000 members, including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students. It has ...

in 1955, and was the first recipient of the APA's Division of Humanistic Psychology's

Rollo May Rollo Reece May (April 21, 1909 – October 22, 1994) was an American existential psychologist and author of the influential book '' Love and Will'' (1969). He is often associated with humanistic psychology and existentialist philosophy, ...

Award. He held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations, including president of the California State Psychological Association.

Theory

In "The Search for Authenticity" (1965), Bugental summarized the postulates of

humanistic psychology Humanistic psychology is a psychological perspective that arose in the mid-20th century in answer to two theories: Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory and B. F. Skinner's behaviorism. Thus, Abraham Maslow established the need for a "third force ...

, 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) * "The Search for Existential Identity" (1976) * "Psychotherapy and Process" (1978) * "Intimate Journeys: Stories from Life-Changing Therapy" (1990) * "The Art of the Psychotherapist" (1992) * "Psychotherapy Isn't What You Think" (1999)

References

External links

Excerpts from ''Psychotherapy Isn't What you Think,'' by James Bugental

Existential-Humanistic Psychotherapy: An Interview with James Bugental, Ph.D.

Existential-Humanistic Psychotherapy in Action: Psychotherapy Training Video featuring James Bugental
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bugental, James 1915 births 2008 deaths 20th-century American psychologists Human Potential Movement Fellows of the American Psychological Association