The Doctor and the Soul: From Psychotherapy to Logotherapy by Viktor E. Frankl is a profound exploration of human existence, suffering, and the healing power of meaning. In this book, Frankl, the founder of logotherapy, moves beyond traditional psychoanalysis and psychotherapy to propose that the deepest human drive is not pleasure or power, but the “will to meaning”—the need to find purpose in life, even in the face of suffering. He argues that many psychological struggles, including depression and feelings of emptiness, stem from a lack of meaning rather than unresolved conflicts or unmet desires. Drawing on his experiences as a psychiatrist, neurologist, and Holocaust survivor, Frankl illustrates how even the most difficult situations can be endured if a person can connect with a sense of purpose, whether through love, creativity, service, or spiritual faith.

The book bridges medicine, psychology, and philosophy by discussing how psychotherapy can address the soul, not just the mind. Frankl emphasizes that suffering is not inherently meaningless—rather, it becomes bearable when individuals are able to discover a greater purpose behind it. He provides case studies to show how logotherapy helps patients confront despair by reorienting them toward meaning, encouraging responsibility, freedom of choice, and self-transcendence. Unlike approaches that focus only on pathology, Frankl stresses the importance of values, existential questions, and the human spirit in healing.

Ultimately, The Doctor and the Soul presents logotherapy as both a philosophy of life and a clinical method, one that empowers individuals to confront life’s challenges with courage, dignity, and hope. It conveys the message that even in the face of suffering, loss, or death, life retains potential meaning, and that discovering this meaning is central to true psychological and spiritual well-being.