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It is clear that this logotherapeutic techniquebas the general aim ofguidingand di­
rectingthe client/patient inIawayfromhislher problematic attitudelbehavior/situa­
tion. It is a method that is specific, goal-directedand futuristically-orientated.
Ittries to assist the patient/clientin such a way that he/she must first make a choice
about hislher situationand then deliberately and purposely, in a meaningful way,
move away from the "present distressing situation/symptoms" to a more meaning­
ful and positive lifestyle.
The individual decides hislher own fate and no one else can be blamed. This, in
short, is what modificationofattitudes tries to do. It is a deliberate cognitiveprocess
that not only makes a patient/clientaware ofdifferentmeaningful possibilities, but it
"also
tries to definitely move/direct/steerhim/her into that direction which the the-
rapist and the client/patientthinklbelieve is the correct one. Ina certain sense one
can say that the "affective" aspects ofa patient's1client's life are confronted in such a
way that it is transformedinto conative and cognitivegoal-directed behaviorthat is
focused on a meaningful "future."
This technique will be criticized fromapsychodynamic point ofview, because, a­
gain, the past ofthe person is put aside. The status quo ofa person's present situa­
tion is here taken as the point ofdeparture and not the past thatactually holds the key
to thepresent symptomatic and problematic situation Logotherapistswill deny this,
but the filet is thatthe past ofthe patient/clientdoes not really matter. What is more
importantfor logotherapists,is the specific attitude what a patient/clientwill reveal in
that givensituationto hisIherproblems/symptoms.
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