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aimed at the releasing and freeingofemotionsthrough talking about one's pro­
blems. Ventilation, on the other hand, releases or discharges emotionsthathave
buildt up and caused the individual to have internal stress and conflict (Barker 1987).
In a social work context, Guttmann (1996:88) says thatwith ventilation the social
worker encourages purposeful expression offeelings by listening, asking relevant
questions, listeningintentlyto answers, and avoidingany behavior that seems intole­
rant or judgmental(Barker 1987:132& Guttmann1996:88).
Because catharsis and ventilationand the purposeful expression offeelings in
workingwith clients are insufficient for dealing with fears caused by anticipatory
anxiety, and because this neurotic conditionis further reinforcedby cripplinghyper­
reflection, the client is taught throughthe technique ofdereflection,to ignore the
symptoms and to divert his/her capacityto positive matters.
As long as a patient/client is not directed toward positive aspects, dereflection cannot
be attained. It is necessary that a patient/clientmust be dereflected from hislher dis­
turbance to the task at hand or the partner involved(Guttmann 1996:89). He/she
must be reorientedtoward his specific vocation and mission in life. In Franklian
language, he/she must be confrontedwith the "logos ofhis/her existence" (Frankl
1986:258). What it means in praxis is thata person looks away from himself7
herself and his/her problematicsymptoms,and focuses on matters thatare positive
and goal-directed; matters thatwill set him/her free and will heal himlher.
The cue to cure for logotherapeutic healing is self-commitment. As a technique dere­
flection opens horizons and widens an individual's circle ofmeaning, while, at the
same time, enrichinghis/her life. For Lukas (1986) this technique is an aid in which
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