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In this paper the Mexican psychiatrist Roncal describes the ideas of V. E. Frankl about 'existential analysis' and 'logotherapy'. Before he describes these new theories of psychotherapy he attempts to define psychotherapy, but he believes that the only point of view about it which can be stated unequivocally is that any psychotherapeutic method and its theory is of necessity one and the same thing. '… the conception of the human personality and the psychotherapeutic method are, underneath, the same thing. The method is the application of the theory, the theory the justification of the method which has been, on the other hand, confirmed by the historical evolution of the different doctrines.'
He is aware of the dangers involved when those countries in which psychotherapeutic techniques were not part of historical medical practice are saturated with an outpouring of the latest books (translated). He gives as an example the translation into Spanish for Mexican consumption of Szondi's latest book, which should have been preceded by Szondi's earlier publications to enable the reader to understand the scientific basis of his test. To this danger there is added the belief still present, even among physicians, that psychology and psychotherapy should be left to the philosopher or the father confessor. The Malleus Maleficarum was the textbook of theologicians of the sixteenth century and the remnants of its medieval attitudes exist today in those physicians who think neuroses are the domain of religious ministry.
This introduction is followed by a brief and all too compact summary of the theories of Freud, Adler, and Jung, which are discussed together with