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The Viktor Frankl Centre NI www.viktorfranklcentreni.com ​ Diploma in Logotherapy & Existential Analysis Click Here The Diploma in Logotherapy and Existential Analysis is an advanced programme for existing Therapists/Counsellors, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and others with relevant expertise and professional standing. ​ The course is fully Accredited by the International Society of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis at the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna. F

When life presents us with difficult experiences, finding the right support can feel overwhelming. Trauma, in particular, can leave deep emotional wounds that affect our daily lives and relationships. Fortunately, the rise of technology has made it possible to access professional help from the comfort of our own homes. In this post, I want to share some insights into the benefits of online trauma therapy, highlighting how this approach can offer healing and hope in a gentle,

We may wonder from time-to-time if we are surrounding ourselves with the right people; such questions can arise from disappointment, heartache, or an uneasy realisation that all is not what it should be. The actor Rachel Boston expressed what matters most when she said, 'Being surrounded by love and people that care about your heart is the dream. That's what I would like on my last day.' It might seem like to much to ask that this maxim not only applies to our 'last day', but

As I write the course materials for the Diploma in Logotherapy & Existential Analysis, I am reflecting on love and its centrality to the human experience. We Logotherapists are cognisant of that and it is very much part of how we approach therapy. We will be, amongst many other texts, exploring Pablo Neruda’s Sonnet XVII from 100 Love Sonnets (1959). It is a profoundly intimate, non-traditional, and thought-provoking love poem that rejects superficial romance for a deeper, al

I have decided to relinquish my accreditation as a Consultant EMDR Therapist (and EMDR Therapist) and instead focus entirely on my role as a Logotherapist & Existential Analyst - seeing clients, and continuing to develop teaching/training and supervision through the Viktor Frankl Centre Northern Ireland. My passion has always been for Logotherapy, and to a lesser extent, Jungian Psychology and these modalities have always constituted the core of my practice. I look forward to

There are times in our lives when we choose to be silent. There are a myriad reasons why we make that choice. We may feel emotionally overwhelmed, or fear that our words do not matter, or that they may make a situation worse. We might feel misunderstood, or choose silence because we are experiencing shame, or we simply believe that, for whatever reason, it is the right thing to do. Whatever the context, silence is a powerful means of communication; where our words are inadequ

The shocking Epstein scandal that is engulfing politics, public life, and big business in the USA and across the globe, is a case study in greed, narcissism, and criminality writ large. Underpinning much of the narrative we see unfolding on a daily basis is a sense of entitlement that characterises the protagonists in this sordid story. Such entitlement cruelly casts aside human dignity and denies the inherent value of each person, seeking to dehumanise the vulnerable, regard

John Steinbeck was an American Writer who won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature, famous for such classics as 'The Grapes of Wrath', 'Of Mice and Men', 'East of Eden', and 'Cannery Row'. Although I have read all of the above over the years, I have found myself drawn to a beautiful letter he wrote to his 14 year old son, Thom, who was at boarding school at the time. Steinbeck offered gentle, but poignant fatherly advice after Thom confessed he had fallen in love with a girl na

Prayer often brings to mind religious rituals, sacred spaces, and specific beliefs. Yet, there is a growing practice known as secular prayer that offers a way to connect with oneself and the world without relying on religious frameworks. This form of prayer focuses on mindfulness, intention (personal values, hopes, gratitude, compassion, kindness) and reflection, making it accessible to people of all backgrounds. The core idea is to create a meaningful pause in the day to con

Making mistakes is part of being human. However, that is not an excuse for those times when we get it wrong, and in doing so, we hurt other people. How we respond to that reality is important, and that is where the concept of 'secular penance' is applicable. Secular penance refers to the voluntary acts of self-reflection, acknowledgment of wrongdoings, and efforts to make things right without necessarily involving religious practices. It is a personal commitment to recognise

True beauty in philosophy is generally understood not merely as a subjective preference ('in the eye of the beholder') but as an objective, or intersubjective, value often linked with truth, goodness, and harmony. Historically, it is defined as a quality that brings us closer to reality or the divine, moving beyond superficial aesthetics to a deeper, more profound experience. It reflects the reality that beauty is not about appearance, but is a matter of authenticity and valu

Existential exhaustion can feel like a heavy fog that dulls the mind, drains the spirit, and is unremitting. It often arises when life’s demands, uncertainties, and the search for purpose become overwhelming, or life has been particularly and unusually difficult over an extended period of time. This form of fatigue manifests physically, emotionally and spiritually, underpinned by a gnawing sense of despair and meaninglessness. As such, it can be difficult for sufferers to art

We often find ourselves hurting the people we care about the most, even when it is far from our intention. This paradox can be confusing and counterintuitive. Why do we sometimes cause pain to those closest to us? As the French writer Antoine de Saint Exupéry famously opined: 'Of course I’ll hurt you. Of course you’ll hurt me. Of course we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring means accepting the risk of winter. To become presence

Losing someone you love, even when they are still alive but no longer part of your life, creates a unique kind of pain. This absence can feel like a deep wound that is hard to explain or heal; it can be a desperately lonely experience. The first step is to acknowledge the breadth and depth of your emotions. Remember, these are unique to you and are reflective of your personality and character traits. Not everyone will understand, and that is fine. You can only feel loss when

Thomas Merton remains one of the most influential spiritual writers and thinkers of the 20th century. In his younger years, Merton felt a deep emptiness that worldly success could not fill; the Cistercian Monastery he eventually entered provided a structured environment focused on prayer, silence, and contemplation. It was in the Monastery that he was able to formulate and communicate complex spiritual ideas in accessible language that continues to resonate with an eclectic

This is a question that I am frequently asked and it requires a much more detailed answer than I am offering here. I will revisit this topic later, but for now I will summarise what the research tells us. The take home message is that Bipolar disorder does not cause a permanent 'transformation' of a person's core personality, but the extreme mood episodes it triggers can make a person act in ways that are completely foreign to their usual self.  How Bipolar Affects Personalit

The poem Desiderata has inspired many since its creation in the early 20th century. Its words offer guidance on how to live a meaningful and peaceful life. But what does Desiderata truly mean, and how can we interpret and apply its message in today’s world? This post explores the core ideas behind Desiderata and offers practical ways to apply its wisdom. What Is Desiderata? Desiderata is a Latin word meaning 'things desired' or 'things to be sought after.' The poem was wr

Desire is a powerful force that shapes our choices and fuels our passions. Yet, when desire burns quietly inside without expression, it can become a source of deep personal suffering. It can be agonising in its intensity and duration. The Spanish Poet and Playwright, Federico García Lorca, captured this truth when he wrote, “To burn with desire and keep quiet about it is the greatest punishment we can bring on ourselves.” Lorca understood that when people suppress their true

Life often tests our limits with unexpected challenges and hardships. When faced with adversity, the way we respond shapes our future. The phrase invictus maneo , Latin for 'I remain unconquered,' captures a powerful mindset of resilience and inner strength. This philosophy encourages us to stand firm, no matter the obstacles, and to maintain control over our spirit and actions. A solitary tree standing resilient on a rocky hill, symbolizing strength and perseverance. This mi

This is the second in a two-part series of reflections on trauma, bipolar disorder (BD) and Logotherapy and Existential Analysis (LTEA). The first blog post explored the connection between trauma and BD, as well as defining some key terms. This article sets out the key tenets of LTEA, what it is used for, how it works, and an overview of the scientific literature, primarily as it pertains to trauma. What Is LTEA? LTEA is an existential-phenomenological approach developed by t