Logotherapy in the Care of the Terminally Ill

Abstract

SUMMARY Logotherapy is very useful in dealing with a person with a terminal illness in that such a person often feels that life is meaningless. Viktor Frankl asserts that each person's life has a unique meaning even when the person is confronted with a terminal condition over which he/she seemingly has little control. It is the role of the logotherapist to help the person to discover that unique meaning within himself/herself. The logotherapist does not provide the meaning, but rather assists the person in discovering his/her own meaning. This article explores the various ways by which meaning may be discovered through the methods of logotherapy.