Problems of the Beyond: Exploring the Holistic Thought of Otto Rank

What is it about?

This article elucidates psychoanalyst Otto Rank’s to date undervalued impact on contemporary psychotherapy. It offers an analysis of some of the key tenets of Rank’s psychology, with attention to the philosophical and predominantly existential underpinnings of his thought. It outlines ways in which Rank understood the therapeutic situation and argues that his work offers guiding principles for further development of related 21st-century therapies.

Featured Image

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Why is it important?

It is an opportune moment in the history of ideas about human reality and psycho- therapeutic practice, to (re)engage with the existential psychoanalysis of Otto Rank, especially as we are becoming more process oriented and slowly move towards integrative approaches to mental health and wellbeing. Rank is a thinker for the 21st century who was ahead of his time, delving into participatory thinking and quantum-relativistic physics a century ago! This is now an emerging field and we can learn from Rank in terms of how it informs our understanding of agency, relationality, and co-creativity in the therapeutic situation.

Perspectives

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Rank is one of the most compelling thinkers in the history of psychoanalysis and existential psychology. I believe it is important to make room for Rank’s post-Freudian, holistic and progressive work, which has been somewhat neglected.

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