News and Events

Les temps modernes: Existential leadership in existential times
Our current moment calls for Kirk Schneider’s existential leadership.

From the president: Can humanistic psychology heal the world?
Humanistic Psychology can heal the world if it avoids polarization and embraces complexity, mystery, ambiguity, and awe.

Endorsements of Kirk J. Schneider for president of the American Psychological Association
Individuals and members of Div. 32 share their endorsements of Kirk J. Schneider for APA president.

Official Div. 32 endorsement of Kirk Schneider for APA president
The executive board of Div. 32 has unanimously voted to endorse Kirk for APA president.

Comments Needed from Existential-Humanistic Psychologists on APA Proposal for Accreditation of MA Programs
The APA is working on setting up accreditation standards for MA programs in applied psychology. Seattle University has such a program, with an existential-phenomenological and humanistic orientation and so we are keenly interested in what directions this project moves.

Updated call for papers: Special issue of The Humanistic Psychologist
Submit manuscripts on women in humanistic psychology by Jan. 30, 2021.

Div. 32 announces Stefan J. Kasian, ND, PhD, as incoming chair of the Transpersonal Psychology Special Interest Group
Kasian’s unique breadth and depth of education, training, and expertise in these diverse fields provides a solid foundation for his vision to influence the evolution of society in humanitarian and sustainable ways, including, but not limited to, healthcare and housing sectors.

Society for Humanistic Psychology president-elect announcement
Todd DuBose, PhD, accepts the position of president-elect for Div. 32 and describes his plans for the division in "Transcending supremacy in a post-humanistic world: Aporias, pragmatics and (im)possibilities on the way to a communion of alterities."

When COVID-19 meets pandemic hope: Existential care of and in the impossible
Todd DuBose discusses existential issues related to the pandemic situation with COVID-19: "...Hope was and is stronger than what the virus has and can take from us. Hope can be as pandemic as the virus. The rub, of course, is how to offer hope without disrespecting abject anguish related to the horror and mourning of the havoc wrecked in the virus’ path."

Psychodiagnosis: Entering the multiverse
Edward Mendelowitz, PhD, as part of his Humanitas column in the Div. 32 newsletter, discusses diagnostic systems, both from a personal and professional perspective, while drawing on the work of psychologists such as Karl Jaspers and William James, among others.

Humanistic Psychologists Release New Book, Integrated Care for the Traumatized
Co-Editors Ilene Serlin, Stanley Krippner and Kirwan Rockefeller, Foreword by Charles Figley, publisher Rowman and Littlefield, on new models of Whole Person integrated care for the traumatized. More information is available in the Spring 2019 issue of the Psychotherapy and the Arts Newsletter.

Ilene Serlin, PhD, Awarded the 2019 Distinguished Humanitarian Contribution Award from the California Psychological Association
The the California Psychological Association (CPA) recently announced that Ilene Serlin, PhD, has been selected as the recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Humanitarian Contribution award. This award honors a person whose volunteer and career efforts have directly and significantly improved the quality of life for a broad range and large number of persons in our society.

Seeking Therapist Collaborators: "Treating" Couples with Low Desire/Frequency by Creating Optimal Erotic Intimacy
Peggy J. Kleinplatz, PhD, director of sex and couples therapy training at the University of Ottawa, reports on her team's research and provides information about upcoming trainings to experienced couples therapists.

Summit on Global Mental Health Sparks Critical Response from Service-Users and Rights-Groups
Mental health service-users, rights-groups and professionals advise caution before implementing a “scaling up” of mental health care globally. 

Renowned Mindfulness Expert Jon Kabat-Zinn Brought Message of Mindfulness to APA's 2018 Convention
What role can mindfulness play in promoting well-being? What aspects lend themselves to psychotherapy? Are there any dangers in a mindfulness approach? In his address at APA's 2018 Annual Convention, Jon Kabat-Zinn revealed the essential ingredients in living a mindful life.

Div. 32’s Psychotherapy and the Arts Special Interest Group, in collaboration with Div. 10, has recently relaunched the Psychotherapy and the Arts newsletter, a publication for sharing member accomplishments, resources, upcoming events and more for those interested in the connections between psychology and the arts. We invite you to browse our latest June 2018 issue.

No Guns in Schools
Div. 32 shares the following statement from some psychology faculty and students from the University of Massachusetts-Boston in opposition to the notion that teachers should be armed to prevent school shootings.

Div. 32 Response to Racism and Violence in Charlottesville and Its Aftermath
A statement from Div. 32 President Donna Rockwell, PsyD, on behalf of the Div. 32 board regarding the responsibility of psychologists to promote humanistic values of love in the wake of racism and tragedy.

Call for Papers
There is a call for interdivisional proposals on Martin Luther King Jr. and psychological diagnosis. Contact Brent Robbins for more information.

New Task Forces
Task Force on Human Dignity and Humanistic Values will be led by Nathaniel Granger Jr. and Brent Robbins. Subprojects on humanistic communications will be led by Amanda Lowe and humanistic values will be led by Brent Robbins.

Task Force on Humanistic Research has been created with the goals of setting up a research consortium, consulting with experts and utilizing research tools. For more information contact Paul Wong or Brent Robbins.

DSM-5 Reform in the News
Twitter feed, highlights at the APA Convention and letter to the American Psychiatric Association

Continuing Education
The Society for Humanistic Psychology is approved by the APA to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Society for Humanistic Psychology maintains responsibility for their Continuing Education content.

Society for Humanistic Psychology LGBT Position Statements
The Society offers its positions on the following LGBT issues: sexual and gender minorities, same-sex marriage, same-sex parenting and reparative/conversion therapy.

Div. 32 Annual Conference
Div. 32 hosts an annual conference to discuss and present the latest research and best practices relevant to humanistic psychology.

128th APA Annual Convention
Aug. 6-9, 2020
Washington, D.C.