"Who Needs Yalom When We Have Žižek?"
paper published in the International Journal of Zizek Studies, v.2, n.2 (2008)
Existential issues in marriage and family therapy
Cleare-Hoffman, H. P. (2010, April). Existential issues in marriage and family therapy. Paper presented at the First International Conference on Existential Psychology, Nanjing, China.
An existential analysis of Junkanoo
Cleare-Hoffman, H. P. (2011, November). An existential analysis of Junkanoo. Poster session presented at the Caribbean Regional Conference of Psychology, Nassau, Bahamas.
Reflections on Marriage and Family Therapy Emergent from International Dialogues in China
Published in The Humanistic Psychologist
Family is a central construct in Chinese life. Although central, it is also a changing construct as China becomes an... more Family is a central construct in Chinese life. Although central, it is also a changing construct as China becomes an increasingly international nation. This article discusses the Chinese family system in context, the challenges to existing constructs, and issues of cultural competence in the midst of change. Using diverse constructs such as pastoral care, existential ethics, and systemic approaches, it is possible to develop means of approaching family life in China both therapeutically and in a way that respects the freedom and dignity of a people in flux.
Existential Therapy and Emotions: Lessons from Cross-Cultural Exchange
Published in The Humanistic Psychologist
Existential therapy affirms that emotions are a given of human existence, experienced by all people regardless of... more Existential therapy affirms that emotions are a given of human existence, experienced by all people regardless of culture. However, the experience and expression of emotion is highly influenced by culture, including influencing whether an emotion is perceived as healthy or problematic. Unfortunately, many Western approaches to psychology are prone to pathologizing the way different cultures experience emotion. In this article, the cultural exchange between United States, Bahamian, and Chinese culture is used to illustrate different ways of perceiving, experiencing, and expressing emotion, all of which can be healthy within their own cultural context, but often be oppressive and problematic in others. Cultural exchanges such as this can be highly instructive in helping therapist develop the necessary skills to work with client emotions in a culturally sensitive manner inclusive of varied approaches to emotions.
Existential therapy in a Bahamian context
Hoffman, L. & Cleare-Hoffman, H. P. (2011, November). Existential therapy in a Bahamian context. Paper presented at the Caribbean Regional Conference of Psychology, Nassau, Bahamas.
Existential therapy is an experiential, depth-oriented psychotherapy that addresses symptom reduction as well as... more Existential therapy is an experiential, depth-oriented psychotherapy that addresses symptom reduction as well as extra-therapeutic benefits such as increased self-awareness, improved relationship quality and intimacy, and greater life satisfaction. Existential therapy can tap deeply into the Bahamian spirit, bringing forth aspects of Bahamian clients’ culture into their meaning system.
Download (.pdf) An existential framework for Buddhism, world religions, and psychotherapy: Culture and diversity considerations
Book chapter in F. Kaklauskas, S. Nimanheminda, L. Hoffman, & M. Jack, (Eds.) Brilliant Sanity: Buddhist... more Book chapter in F. Kaklauskas, S. Nimanheminda, L. Hoffman, & M. Jack, (Eds.) Brilliant Sanity: Buddhist Approaches to Psychotherapy (pp. 19-38).
The dynamics of religious experience and psychological health: An existential-psychodynamic perspective
Glendon Moriarty & Natalie Williamsson, co-authors
Book chapter in J. H. Ellens (Ed.), The healing power of spirituality: How faith helps humans thrive (Vol. 3:... more Book chapter in J. H. Ellens (Ed.), The healing power of spirituality: How faith helps humans thrive (Vol. 3: Psychodynamics; pp. 147-170).
Existential psychology’s religious roots: The influence of Paul Tillich
Matthew Mejia, co-author
Review of the book Paul Tillich and psychology, PsycCRITIQUES-Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 52 (No. 4). Review of the book Paul Tillich and psychology, PsycCRITIQUES-Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 52 (No. 4).
Toward a Sustainable Myth of Self
Sharon Steward, Denise Warren, and Lisa Meek, co-authors
The self has come under considerable attack in postmodern times. Amidst many deconstructions and reformulations of the... more
The self has come under considerable attack in postmodern times. Amidst many deconstructions and reformulations of the self, various myths of self have lost their sustainability. This article reviews various theoretical perspectives on the self along with many postmodern challenges to the self. It is proposed that
the self is a socially constructed entity which can be conceptualized from a variety of perspectives; however, not all myths of self are equal. In particular, premodern and modern myths of self are inadequate for postmodern times. Building from an existential–integrative perspective, we propose Schneider’s paradoxical self as a promising myth of self for postmodern times.
Introduction to existential psychology in a cross-cultural context: An east-west dialogue.
Book chapter in the book Existential Psychology East-West Book chapter in the book Existential Psychology East-West
Gordo's ghost: An introduction to existential perspectives on myth
Book chapter in Existential Psychology East-West Book chapter in Existential Psychology East-West
Existential Therapy and Emotions: Lessons from Cross-Cultural Exchange
Heatherlyn Cleare-Hoffman, co-author
Existential therapy affirms that emotions are a given of human existence, experienced by all people regardless of... more Existential therapy affirms that emotions are a given of human existence, experienced by all people regardless of culture. However, the experience and expression of emotion is highly influenced by culture, including influencing whether an emotion is perceived as healthy or problematic. Unfortunately, many Western approaches to psychology are prone to pathologizing the way different cultures experience emotion. In this article, the cultural exchange between United States, Bahamian, and Chinese culture is used to illustrate different ways of perceiving, experiencing, and expressing emotion, all of which can be healthy within their own cultural context, but often be oppressive and problematic in others. Cultural exchanges such as this can be highly instructive in helping therapist develop the necessary skills to work with client emotions in a culturally sensitive manner inclusive of varied approaches to emotions.
Existential Psychology Dialogues in China: Beginning the Conversation
Christy Dyer, Francis J. Kaklauskas, Michael Dow, Elizabeth Saxon, and Mark Yang, co-authors
Book chapter in Existential Psychology East-West Book chapter in Existential Psychology East-West
Paradoxes of time in existential therapy: Can a time-limited existential approach work?.
Elizabeth Saxon, co-author
PscyCRITIQUES of the book, Short-term existential intervention in clinical practice by Joseph Walsh and Jim Lantz PscyCRITIQUES of the book, Short-term existential intervention in clinical practice by Joseph Walsh and Jim Lantz
Finitude and the infinite: The crossroads of existential psychology and spirituality.
Nathaniel Granger, co-author
PsycCRITIQUES review of the book, Existential and spiritual issues in death attitudes edited by Adrian Tomer, Grafton... more PsycCRITIQUES review of the book, Existential and spiritual issues in death attitudes edited by Adrian Tomer, Grafton T. Eliason, and Paul T. P. Wong
An Existential Psychotherapy Case Illustration
Nathaniel Granger, co-author
Chapter in the book "Existential Psychology East-West" Chapter in the book "Existential Psychology East-West"
An Existential-Phenomenological Approach to the Psychology of Religion
A primary aspect of existential and phenomenological methodologies is an attempt to understand one’s experience. In... more A primary aspect of existential and phenomenological methodologies is an attempt to understand one’s experience. In particular, phenomenology attempts to understand one’s experience in as pure of a form as possible. From an existential perspective, additional emphasis is placed upon the lived aspects of one’s experience. This paper outlines an existential-phenomenological approach to the psychology of religion. First, a brief history and summary of major themes of existential psychology is introduced. Next, this is applied to the psychology of religion. Last, the existential-phenomenological approach is considered in the context of the existential givens.
Chapter 6. Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy and God Image
Chapter in Kirk Schneider's book, "Existential Integrative Psychotherapy: Guideposts to the Core of Practice"