The Desire to Live. Psychotherapy Against Cancer

For more than fifty years, Anne Anselin Schützenberger, in addition to her teaching and research work, helped cancer patients. She was convinced that this disease should be treated not only medically but also psychotherapeutically: positive visualization, stress management, analysis of beliefs, social context, and the patient's life history are necessary. In addition, Schützenberger conducted research on phenomena such as 'invisible family loyalty' and 'birthday syndrome.' Recovery from a serious illness requires not only medical support but also a desire to live, awakening the healing power that each person possesses, which the psychotherapist, along with the patient's loved ones, helps to identify.