Graduate Theological Foundation
Graduate Certificate in Logotherapy and Existential Analysis
Introduction to the Program
The value of philosophy, theology, and anthropology education has been increasingly recognized today. These disciplines help to acquire critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication skills, problem solving abilities, analytical thinking, research proficiency, and a holistic understanding of human experience, which are the foundation for leadership skills with ethical reasoning and decision making in complex environments.
Specifically, philosophy is relevant for honing reasoning, debate and consensus building. Theology is relevant to foster conflict resolution, counseling and community engagement. Anthropological awareness is relevant for encounter, advocacy and community building.
Logotherapy and Existential Analysis (LTEA) offers a theoretical and practical framework that allows to build a bridge between philosophy, theology, anthropology, and engagement with the modern world. Its theory is rooted in philosophy, psychotherapy, and anthropology, with theological correlates. Its practice is based on a holistic view of the person as it affirms that the basic motivating force in human beings is the search for meaning. LTEA is a meaning-centered approach which provides tools that one can apply in a wide variety of personal and professional contexts.
The founder of LTEA is Viktor E. Frankl, MD, PhD (1905-1997), Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist and survivor of the holocaust. Frankl was head of the Vienna Polyclinic Hospital from 1946 until 1970, and Professor at the University of Vienna. He taught at 209 universities and was active until the year before his death. He held 29 honorary doctorates and was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He authored 40 books translated into 50 languages. His work is carried on by Institutes of Logotherapy that are accredited by the Viktor Frankl Institute, Vienna.
The most prominent student of Prof. Dr. Frankl is Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Lukas, who was Director of the South German Institute of Logotherapy (1986-2003). She is the author of over 40 books on logotherapy and is internationally known for her expertise in psychology and psychotherapy. She is credited with having trained a generation of professionals. In 2013, the Elisabeth Lukas Archives in Bamberg, Germany, published Dr. Lukas’s curriculum, which is currently only available in German. It comprises five semesters of didactic training endorsed by the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna as representing the gold standard of teaching LTEA.
Following the content of the Elisabeth Lukas Curriculum (2013), enriched with further international literature and up-to-date research findings, the Graduate Certificate Program in Logotherapy offers five courses in LTEA that lead to a “Concentration in LTEA” for the Masters and Doctorate Programs of GTF. The Graduate Certificate Program consists of five courses of six Modules each, resulting in a total of 30 Modules and 15 Credits. The courses in order are as follows: (1) Introduction and Historical Overview of Viktor E. Frankl’s Logotherapy and Existential Analysis; (2) Anthropological Basis of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis; (3) Existential Conceptualization in Logotherapy and Existential Analysis; (4) Logotherapy and Existential Analysis – Interventions; and (5) Evidence-based Logotherapy and Existential Analysis for Well-being. Since GTF is accredited by the International Association of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, Vienna, (IALEA) this program meets the requirements for membership and accreditation for individuals who complete the GTF Graduate Certificate in LTEA.
GTF Faculty, who offer this program. Professor Maria Marshall, PhD, RP, Diplomate Clinician in Logotherapy, Mignon G. Eisenberg Professor of Logotherapy, and Professor Edward Marshall, MD, PhD, RP, Diplomate Clinician in Logotherapy, Viktor E. Frankl Professor of Psychotherapy and Spirituality, are accredited members of International Association of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis (IALEA) They are authors of seventeen books and several peer reviewed articles on LTEA, and they are founders of the Ottawa Institute of Logotherapy.
The Program’s objectives are to familiarize students with the historical context within which LTEA was conceptualized; outline the basic principles and tenets of LTEA; present LTEA’s view of the person that is the basis of therapeutic interventions; illustrate the use of LTEA’s methods with clinical examples; highlight research results on the application of meaning-centered principles; enhance discernment about when LTEA is a method of choice, and when it can complement other treatment interventions; and foster the development of one’s competence in applying LTEA’s principles and methods in one’s own are of practice.
The textbook for the Program is “Viktor E. Frankl’s Logotherapy and Existential Analysis: Theory and Practice” (2023). This book is available in English, French, and Spanish editions.
Required Readings for the Program include chapters from the textbook and other books by Frankl, Lukas and Fabry. The assigned readings can be found in the textbook, and complementary literature. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the content of these books and to provide quotes in their written work. A list of the required reading is as follows:
Fabry, J. (2013). The Pursuit of Meaning: Viktor Frankl, Logotherapy, and Life. Charlottesville, VA: Purpose Research.
Fabry, J. (2021). Guideposts to Meaning.: Discovering What Really Matters. Charlottesville, VA: Purpose Research.
Frankl, V. E. (2000). Recollections: An autobiography. New York, NY: Basic Books
Frankl, V. E. (2000). Man’s Search for Ultimate Meaning. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Frankl, V. E. (2014). Man’s Search for Meaning. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.
Frankl, V. E. (2014). The Will to Meaning: Foundations and Applications of Logotherapy. New York: Plume.
Frankl, V. E. (2019). The Doctor and the Soul: From Psychotherapy to Logotherapy. New York, NY: Vintage Books.
Frankl, V. E. (2019). Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.
Frankl, V. E. (2024). Embracing Hope: On Freedom, Responsibility and the Meaning of Life. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.
Lukas, E. (2014). Meaning in Suffering: Comfort in Crisis through Logotherapy. Charlottesville, VA: Purpose Research.
Lukas, E. (2015). The Therapist and the Soul: From Fate to Freedom. Charlottesville, VA: Purpose Research.
Lukas, E. (2019). Meaningful Living: Introduction to Logotherapy Theory and Practice. Charlottesville, VA: Purpose Research.
Marshall, M. & Marshall, E. (2023). Viktor E. Frankl’s Logotherapy and Existential Analysis: Theory and Practice. Ottawa, ON: Ottawa Institute of Logotherapy.
Over twenty hours of videotaped lectures are offered as part of this program. The videos are produced by the Ottawa Institute of Logotherapy. They contain presentations, workshops, and didactic exercises to further knowledge and understanding of concepts and their practical applications. Links to the videos are sent to the students as they progress through the program. The videos are copyrighted to the Ottawa Institute of Logotherapy. They cannot be copied or distributed without permission from the Ottawa Institute of Logotherapy.
A unique feature of this program are 30-minute tutorial videoconferences following each Module. These meetings are mandatory as their purpose is to clarify concepts and personalize learning to students’ needs. The tutorials can be offered in English, French, or Spanish.
Required Written Assignments include one essay per Module containing 500-1000 words. One Final Essay is due at the completion of the sixth Module, containing 3000 words. One Final Essay is due per Course. The essay can be written in English, French, or Spanish. Its objective is to help students reflect on the readings and deepen their understanding; evaluate students’ comprehension of the material; and to prepare students to write their Masters or Doctorate Theses.
LTEA’s principles and methods can be applied across different professions, trans-culturally, and trans-nationally. We welcome you as you join our community!
FACULTY:
Maria Marshall, PhD
Mignon G. Eisenberg Professor of Logotherapy
Diplomate Clinician in Logotherapy
Edward Marshall, MD, PhD
Viktor E. Frankl Professor of Psychotherapy and Spirituality
Diplomate Clinician in Logotherapy