AHP’s Tribute To Dr. Stan Charnofsky
By Dr. Carroy (Cuf) Ferguson, Ph.D. AHP President The Association for Humanistic Psychology (AHP) mourns the “transition” of a very dear soul, Dr. Stan Charnofsky. And, while his transition is a tremendous loss to his family, friends, and colleagues, we also want to honor and celebrate a life well-lived. As a former AHP president, Stan provided outstanding leadership. Upon his passing, he also held the distinction of being the longest-serving AHP board member. He was very much cherished and highly respected by all board members throughout his long, dedicated
Archetypal Energies and Global Mental Health
Archetypal Energies and Global Mental Health By Dr. Carroy (Cuf) Ferguson, Ph.D. Blog Article for 2024 Global Mental Health Conference, August 16-18 Evolving the Human Race Game: A Spiritual and Soul-Centered Perspective is an award-winning book that has profound implications for global mental health. One reviewer observed: “This is not just another book about race relations. It is about a quantum shift in our consciousness and understanding about who we are as souls” (Leland Baggett, Past President, NC Mental Health Association; Author, Waking Up Together). Another reviewer noted: “(Dr.
A Humanistic Approach To Politics: AHP’s Call For An “Authentic” Politics Of Truth and Accountability
The purpose of this blog is to call attention to a recent article I wrote for AHP Perspective, titled “A Humanistic Approach To Politics: AHP’s Call For An ‘Authentic’ Politics Of Truth And Accountability”. The article was also presented on ScholarWorks (Psychology Faculty Publication Series). If you are reading this blog and click on the article, it is not accidental. So please read it carefully and please share the article with all who are in your various networks—family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, organizations, etc. The article seeks to build on the
Postponed: International Humanistic Transpersonal Conference
The 2024 AHP-ATP-Sofia International Conference has been postponed. We are discussing possible options. We will keep you informed of the future event. International Humanistic Transpersonal Conference March 28-30, 2024 Costa Mesa, California Conference Theme: Pathways To Peace Extended Deadline for Call for Proposals and Early Bird Registration Here is a link to the website for an International Humanistic Transpersonal Conference, March 28-30, 2024: ahp-atp-sofia-conference2024.org During this period of upheaval and divisiveness, all creative and constructive voices are important for finding, implementing, and/or reinforcing “Pathways to Peace,” the theme of
It’s a Brain Thing: Using the Arts to Grieve
In the early to mid 90s, when my youngest son Kenneth was living with AIDs, and I was in the role of his primary supporter, I had a personal physician who offered a unique perspective. An appointment with Dr. Mary Anne began with her listening attentively as I reported my symptoms and updated her on how things were going with my son’s health. She would then examine me and after I had exchanged the patient gown for my street clothes, we would finish the session in her office. After a
Dr. Gladys McGarey: The Mother of Holistic Medicine
UPDATE: Pre-order the new paperback book here and get tickets to a raffle where you can win a 1-hour Life Consultation with Dr. Gladys, valued at $450, and other prizes. Women’s History Month may have come and went, but when you’re dubbed “The Mother of Holistic Medicine,” have a new book coming out and you’re 102-years old, you more than deserve to be mentioned along with the greatest women alive. Gladys McGarey, MD’s life and achievements have may have eluded the history books, but that’s about to change as her
Eulogy For An Innovative Trailblazer: Ilana Rubenfeld
By Sheila K. Collins PhD I first saw Ilana Rubenfeld in February 1975, in an auditorium at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. As a faculty member I was helping to facilitate a touring presentation from Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. This retreat center and creative incubator of the human potential movement had sent four of their star faculty members, three men and a woman, to raise issues not likely to be addressed by traditional universities. One of the questions, still on their current website, fits with the presentation
Shedding The Shackles Of Systemic Racism: Conversations With Black Men
On the planet, there is a need to heal race-linked wounds, particularly anti-black race-linked wounds that stem from systemic racism. It is well known and chronicled that anti-black race-linked wounds are embedded in cultural scripts and societal practices and have been inflicted historically on enslaved people of African descent in the United States, as well as on darker complexion people globally. More specifically, Black men more often have been the targets for many of the inhumane acts exhibited by those who consciously or unconsciously created and/or maintain systemic racism. Systemic
The Value of Existential Guilt
Existential guilt is a beneficial emotion. By Bob Edelstein, LMFT, MFT This blog was originally posted in Psychology Today on November 15, 2022 KEY POINTS Existential guilt, which acknowledges that guilt is inherent in being human, is a beneficial emotion for healing and personal growth. Neurotic guilt means we take too much responsibility for our relationships and the world. Denial or avoidance of guilt means we take too little responsibility for our relationships and the world. Often in our culture, guilt is not considered a valuable emotion. It is viewed as an
3 Key Processes to Live an Actualized Life
The importance of intention, intuition, and action. By Bob Edelstein, LMFT, MFT This blog was originally posted in Psychology Today on May 17, 2022 KEY POINTS Self-actualization is not a one-time event, but goes on throughout life as one is faced with opportunities. Intention, intuition, and action are all required to move toward an actualized life, and that process is not linear. While navigating toward actualizing an intention, one needs to continuously do a gut check. As human beings, we want to live an actualized life, both personally and in
We Are Always Connected and We Are Always Alone
Personal reflections evoked by the pandemic. By Bob Edelstein, LMFT, MFT This blog was originally posted in Psychology Today on August 4, 2020 Human beings are always connected and always alone. This paradox is inherent in being human. It is a given of existence, no matter our status in life. We can be surrounded by thousands, or in a forest by ourselves. Whatever the circumstance, we will still be alone within ourselves and simultaneously connected to a planet of 7 billion-plus people. The COVID-19 pandemic is shining a light on this existential
How to Engage Life’s Deeper Questions
Uniting existential and humanistic philosophies By Bob Edelstein, LMFT, MFT This blog was originally posted in Psychology Today on January 30, 2020 How is an existential philosophy compatible with a humanistic philosophy? A few days ago, a colleague of mine posed this question to me. I think it’s worth exploring because I believe the two philosophies make an integrated whole. The existential philosophy explores what it means to exist and how we make meaning of our existence. The humanistic philosophy explores what it means to be human and values the uniqueness of each