The growth in the dissemination of the existential-phenomenological approach to therapy is likely to have exciting repercussions for the delivery of mental health care in the United Kingdom in the future. Many authors developed their own various interpretations of existential-phenomenological therapy, including Hans Cohn, who had a more analytical and group therapy approach. The relevance of existential-phenomenological therapy in the United Kingdom and Europe has been much augmented by the work of Emmy van Deurzen. Ernesto Spinelli built up a considerable body of publications in the form of case studies, existential-phenomenological reformulations of classic therapeutic perspectives, and developments of phenomenological psychology. R. D. Laing and David Cooper were the new Existentialists, the liberators who could engage with the nothingness and rebellion in people, rather than curing them of psychiatric disorders. The aspects of Laing's work that many value are his directness in talking to his patients.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the experience of intimate relationships of women who have been diagnosed with Autism in adulthood. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were used to interview eight participants. The data were transcribed and analysed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis method. Findings Four overall themes were identified. These included “Response to the diagnosis and receiving more information about Autism”, “Factors influencing dating behaviour”, “Sex and sexual experiences” and “Experience of intimate relationships as a person with Autism”. Research limitations/implications The results of this study have implications for both research and clinical practice as it highlights the areas in which women newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could benefit from support. Practical implications The study hopes to add to the limited existing research on adult women with ASD. Originality/value To date no similar research has investigated the same phenomenon through a similar method.

Chapter 30 Challenges and New Developments in Existential Group Therapy Digby Tantam, Digby TantamSearch for more papers by this author Digby Tantam, Digby TantamSearch for more papers by this author Book Editor(s):Emmy van Deurzen, Emmy van DeurzenSearch for more papers by this authorErik Craig, Erik CraigSearch for more papers by this authorAlfried Längle, Alfried LängleSearch for more papers by this authorKirk J. Schneider, Kirk J. SchneiderSearch for more papers by this authorDigby Tantam, Digby TantamSearch for more papers by this authorSimon du Plock, Simon du PlockSearch for more papers by this author First published: 12 April 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119167198.ch30 AboutPDFPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShareShare a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Summary Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) groups, or groups that are the context in which other active therapies are provided are symptom focused and it is appropriate to use symptomatic changes as one of the principle outcome measures. CBT in groups can afford to ignore group-as-a-whole effects and other non-specific therapeutic factors, and instead focus on target behaviors such as negative automatic thoughts, avoidance, or ruminations. There is a consensus among group therapists and clients that participants in longer-term, exploratory groups gain more than an improvement in symptoms. The interbrain and the narrative connections between people are not independent, and generally add to each other. It will be an exciting period for existential group psychotherapists who will not only need to learn their trade, but to be able to research existential philosophers, and calibrate a variety of neuroimaging machines. The Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy RelatedInformation

The Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy is a work representing the collaboration of existential psychotherapists, teachers, and researchers. It's a book to guide readers in understanding human life better through the exploration of aspects and applications of existential therapy. The book presents the therapy as a way for clients to explore their experiences and make the most of their lives. Its contributors offer an accurate and in-depth view of the field. An introduction of existential therapy is provided, along with a summary of its historical foundations. Chapters are organized into sections that cover: daseinsanalysis; existential-phenomenonological, humanistic, and -integrative therapies; and existential group therapy. International developments in theory, practice and research are also examined.

Background There is limited information on the presentation and characteristics of psychotic illness experienced by people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Aims To describe autistic and psychotic phenomenology in a group of individuals with comorbid ASD and psychosis (ASD–P) and compare this group with populations affected by either, alone. Method We studied 116 individuals with ASD–P. We compared features of their ASD with people with ASD and no comorbid psychosis (ASD–NP), and clinical characteristics of psychosis in ASD–P with people with psychosis only. Results Individuals with ASD–P had more diagnoses of atypical psychosis and fewer of schizophrenia compared with individuals with psychosis only. People with ASD–P had fewer stereotyped interests/behaviours compared with those with ASD–NP. Conclusions Our data show there may be a specific subtype of ASD linked to comorbid psychosis. The results support findings that psychosis in people with ASD is often atypical, particularly regarding affective disturbance.

The genetic association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia is complicated and mirrors the clinical overlap between these conditions to some degree. However, no studies to date have examined the genetics of individuals dually diagnosed with both ASD and psychosis. In this study, we present findings of copy number variants (CNVs) from a study of 116 well-characterised individuals with this dual diagnosis. DNA was extracted and arrayed using the Affymetrix CytoScan HD 2.8M array or the Affymetrix Cytogenetics arrays and compared with existing samples from the Database of Genomic Variants and the Simons Simplex Collection of CNVs from individuals with ASD and their families. Twenty-seven novel CNVs ≥20k base pairs were identified in the sample, most occurring in only a single individual, although two were found in two female participants. Forty-nine rare CNVs (<1.5% rate in general population) were also found at significantly higher frequencies than expected. The findings may provide evidence for areas of further study in the understanding of the development of both ASD and psychosis due to the number of affected genetic regions that have not previously been linked to these conditions.

The epidemiology of autistic spectrum (ASD) disorder remains uncertain, particularly in adults. Whether or not people with an ASD are more or less likely to offend, or to be aggressive, remains uncertain. When offending does occur it presents special problems: of risk assessment, of prevention; and of understanding. Some of these are considered in this chapter, as are the difficulties that people with an ASD have in dealing with the criminal justice system at every stage: being interviewed, giving evidence, rebutting accusations, and following court processes. This chapter will generally (with respect to legal process) refer to the courts and the law in England and Wales.