In search of meaning: The integral nature of logotherapy in work with others – selected theoretical and practical perspectives

The third Viennese school of psychotherapy, known as logotherapy, is based on an integral view of the human being that considers not only somatic, emotional, and social development but also spiritual aspects, thus enabling the individual to find meaning even in the face of life’s crises. The non-reductionist nature of logotherapy helps to better understand and effectively support people in difficult life situations, which is particularly important in fields such as pedagogy, social work, resocialization, and psychotherapy. The chapter aims to demonstrate how the theoretical foundations of logotherapy translate into practical actions within a helping context, taking into account the integral nature of the person. The will to meaning, which according to the founder of logotherapy, Viktor E. Frankl, is the strongest motivating factor, constitutes a key element in the logotherapeutic process. The pursuit of meaning sometimes occurs through noopsychic antagonism or through noodynamic tension, because mental homeostasis is not conducive to human development. When suffering or crisis arises, finding meaning can serve as a foundation that helps to reevaluate existing attitudes and redefine one’s life direction. In the context of contemporary social challenges, which may take various forms of crises, including existential ones, the logotherapeutic approach becomes particularly significant.