Hanscarl Leuner (b. 1919 in Bautzen - d. 1996 in Göttingen) was a German psychiatrist and researcher.
His father was a leatherware factory owner. His study of medicine at Frankfurt University and Marburg University (1939–1946) was interrupted by his military service in World War II.
He was a pioneer in using psychoactive drugs for therapy in Germany. He created a system known as "Psycholytic Therapy", a combination of psychotherapy with hallucinogens with the intent of analyzing the subcouncious mind. He also developed Guided Affective Imagery
Bibliography (selected works)
- Die experimentelle Psychose. Ihre Psychopharmakologie, Phänomenologie und Dynamik in Beziehung zur Person. (Eng: The Experimental Psychoses: The psychopharmacology, phenomenology and dynamic in relation to the individual.) Springer, Berlin 1962, ISBN 978-3-540-02883-3. Reprint 1997: Berlin VWB.
- Katathymes Bilderleben: Unterstufe. Einführung in die Psychotherapie mit der Tagtraumtechnik. Ein Seminar. Thieme, Stuttgart 1970; 5. Auflage: Katathym-imaginative Psychotherapie (K.I.P.): „Katathymes Bilderleben“. Einführung in die Psychotherapie mit der Tagtraumtechnik. Ein Seminar. Thieme, Stuttgart 1994.
- Halluzinogene: Psychische Grenzzustände in Forschung und Psychotherapie. (Eng: "Hallucinogens: Psychiatric Limitations on Research and Psychotherapy") Huber, Bern 1981, ISBN 3-456-80933-6.
- Lehrbuch des Katathymen Bilderlebens. Huber, Bern 1985; 3. Auflage: Lehrbuch der Katathym-imaginativen Psychotherapie. Huber, Bern 1994, ISBN 3-456-82430-0.
- Ce qu’on n’a pas expliqué en France, Planète, n°33, mars-avril 1967, pp. 92–101