Logotherapy: Concept of the Human Being (Coursera)

Logotherapy: Concept of the Human Being (Coursera)

The main aim of the course is to provide you with insights into the logotherapeutic approach to psychotherapeutic practice and the practice of living one’s life; to teach you the main concepts of logotherapy, with reference to what a human being is; to demonstrate the application of logotherapy in some tasks and issues; to inspire you to get to know yourself and help you live freely and responsibly, solving the most important issues of choice and, as a result, leading a dignified existence.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Our task is also to inspire you to further study the entire course of logotherapy and move on to living a logotherapeutic life and understanding the practical methods and techniques.
Upon completion of the course, psychologists will be able to greatly enrich their view of phenomena occurring in their patients and clients and understand the main concepts of logotherapy. Students will be able to make the right decision concerning their future Specialization. Many seemingly complex and complicated situations will look different to you, and in spite of everything, you will experience, in the words of Schweitzer, a “reverence for life”.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Philosophical foundations
In the first module you will study biography of Viktor Frankl, which is in many respects a result of his unique attitude and response to tough life circumstances. You will study the concept of the human being according to logotherapy, based on the unity and integrity of physical, psychic and spiritual. Understanding this unity will allow you to make a free choice.

WEEK 2
Psychonoetic antagonism
In this module you will learn about the essential human phenomenon, "the defiant power of the human spirit", and how it can be efficiently used by psychotherapists in their practical work.
You will see that attempts to limit yourself by psychophysics, disregarding the noetic dimension, will lead you to a distorted image of man. People often don’t see themselves as free. Still, it is an illusion, and the logotherapeutic approach presented in this module will show you what it looks like, in the form of a roleplay, and how we can deal with the lack of freedom.

WEEK 3
Psychonoetic antagonism (continuation)
In the third module, you will get to know the logotherapeutic approach to the concepts “aggression” and “happiness.” You will see that the original and reasonable view of these concepts inspires people and engages their key resources. Addressing your personal experience will confirm this information, and a detailed case analysis will show the peculiarities of logotherapy in dealing with problems and symptoms.

WEEK 4
The concept of meaning in logotherapy
The module “The concept of meaning in logotherapy” will give you an understanding of what is meant by ‘meaning’ in logotherapy and how to make meaningful choices. Applying the knowledge of making meaningful decisions, in both your personal and professional life, will give you a wider and calmer outlook on everything happening in the world. You will understand the difference between what you are obliged to do and what should happen in the world because of you. The role play, illustrating choice based on conscience, will show you the possibility of finding a decent solution to a complicated problem

WEEK 5
Dealing with oneself
This module “Dealing with oneself” introduces the essential human abilities: self-detachment and self-transcendence, which allow a person to distance themselves from a symptom and relate to something bigger than themselves. After studying self-awareness from a logotherapeutic point of view, you will not only be able to change the way you look at your personal development and change process, but also be able to take care of your clients and yourself in the best possible way. By applying a logotherapeutic approach to burnout, you will be able to achieve an effective balance in your professional and personal life.

WEEK 6
Crisis prevention
This module will teach you how to apply a logotherapeutic approach to stress and trauma, focusing not only on things that cause damage, but also how to overcome them. This aspect is not well studied, but it is particularly interesting for a productive life. You will learn and be able to apply a noopsychosomatic approach when the usual explanations for what is happening to a person are not enough, and you will be able to support them with your logotherapeutic knowledge. You will be able to form your own position towards the burdens of life and apply it in practice.

WEEK 7
The human being as a deciding being
The module “The human being as a deciding being” will not only explain how the mechanism of indecision and procrastination works, but it will also prove that any decision is always connected with stress and pain, and that people should be able to find the optimum based on pro-motivation, and not counter-motivation. You will see an example of how this works in the form of a role-play. The explanation offered will inspire you to change.

WEEK 8
The pathology of time
The module “The pathology of time” provides information about individual and collective positions that lead to a crisis. It will allow you to understand destructive human motives and to develop your own position toward destructive influences. You will be more durable in cases when it is necessary and more loyal in other situations. Besides, it will influence the people around you.

WEEK 9
Methods of Logotherapy
The closing module “Methods of logotherapy” will provide you with the idea of practical tools used in therapeutic process. You will learn about those methods and will be able to understand why logotherapy works this way. You will also be able to use this knowledge in your practice

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Evidence-based Toxicology (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Evidence-based Toxicology (Coursera)

Welcome to the Evidence-based Toxicology (EBT) course. In medicine and healthcare, evidence-based medicine has revolutionized the way that information is evaluated transparently and objectively. Over the past ten years, a movement in North America and Europe has attempted to translate this revolution to the field of toxicology.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Curanderismo: Traditional Healing Using Plants (Coursera) Coursera
University of New Mexico

Curanderismo: Traditional Healing Using Plants (Coursera)

As one of four courses on Curanderismo, the art of Hispanic/Latino traditional medicine, this course focuses specifically on the use of plants in traditional healing. As an educational and cultural platform, this course will share the history, influences, and contributions of traditional medicine. Trained traditional healers will share their knowledge of the healing properties of plants commonly found in the Southwestern United States and Mexico through practical applications that can still be used today.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera) Coursera
University of Copenhagen

Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera)

Diabetes and obesity are growing health problems in rich and poor countries alike. With this course you will get updated on cutting-edge diabetes and obesity research including biological, genetic and clinical aspects as well as prevention and epidemiology of diabetes and obesity. All lectures are provided by high-profile scientists from one the world's leading universities in diabetes research.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Psychology of Popularity (Coursera) Coursera
University of North Carolina

Psychology of Popularity (Coursera)

The level of popularity you experienced in childhood and adolescence is still affecting you today in ways that you may not even realize. Learn about how psychologists study popularity and how these same concepts can be used in adulthood to be more successful at work, become better parents, and have a happier life.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Preventing Chronic Pain: A Human Systems Approach (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Preventing Chronic Pain: A Human Systems Approach (Coursera)

Chronic pain is at epidemic levels and has become the highest-cost condition in health care. This course uses both creative and experiential learning to better understand chronic pain conditions and how they can be prevented through self-management in our cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental realms.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness (Coursera)

Learn how social factors promote mental health, influence the onset and course of mental illness, and affect how mental illnesses are diagnosed and treated. This course explores how our understanding of mental health and illness has been influenced by social attitudes and social developments in North America and around the world. The course begins by situating our contemporary mental health practices in historical context, then looks at different aspects of mental health, mental illness and mental health services and their connections to what’s going on in our social environment.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Curanderismo: Global & Cultural Influences of Traditional Healing (Coursera) Coursera
University of New Mexico

Curanderismo: Global & Cultural Influences of Traditional Healing (Coursera)

As the last of four courses on Curanderismo, the art of Hispanic/Latino traditional medicine, this course focuses specifically on traditional healing using different techniques of many countries around the world. As an educational and cultural platform, this course will share a number of traditional global perspectives.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Everyday Chinese Medicine (Coursera) Coursera
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Everyday Chinese Medicine (Coursera)

This course aims to serve as an education platform on Chinese medicine (CM) for the general public. Our primary goal is to empower healthcare choices by promoting awareness and practical application on CM diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as well as regulation on CM services and herbal products using international examples.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Stories of Infection (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University

Stories of Infection (Coursera)

This course introduces learners to a variety of infectious diseases using a patient-centered, story-based approach. Through illustrated, short videos, learners will follow the course of each patient’s illness, from initial presentation to resolution. Integrating the relevant microbiology, pathophysiology and immunology, this course aims to engage and entice the learner towards future studies in microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Clinical Kidney, Pancreas and Islet Transplantation (Coursera) Coursera
Leiden University,Leiden University Medical Center

Clinical Kidney, Pancreas and Islet Transplantation (Coursera)

Kidney transplantation is a major advance of modern medicine which provides high-quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease. What used to be an experimental, risky, and very limited treatment option more than 50 years ago is now routinely performed in many countries worldwide. The number of renal transplants is expected to rise sharply in the next decade since the proportion of patients with end stage renal disease is increasing.

Oct 12th 2026
4 Weeks
De-Mystifying Mindfulness (Coursera) Coursera
Leiden University

De-Mystifying Mindfulness (Coursera)

Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown exponentially in recent years. Rather than being seen as mystical practices from ancient Buddhism or esoteric philosophy, they are increasingly seen as technologies rooted in evidence from psychology and neuroscience. Mindfulness has become the basis for numerous therapeutic interventions, both as a treatment in healthcare and as a means of enhancing well-being and happiness. For millions around the world, mindfulness has become a life-style choice, enhancing and enriching everyday experience. Mindfulness is big business.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks