Process psychology
Encyclopedia
Process Psychology is a branch of psychotherapeutic
psychology which was derived from Process Philosophy
as developed by Alfred North Whitehead
. It bears a similar name to Process Oriented Psychology
as developed by Arnold Mindell
and Amy Mindell
but is different in theoretical foundations and methods of treatment. Process Psychology got its start at a conference sponsored by the Center for Process Studies in 1998.
David Ray Griffin
, a noted Process Theologian, has also been instrumental in encouraging the development of Process Psychology. Process Psychology is closely aligned with Process Theology
and its practitioners frequently refer to spiritual concerns.
John Buchanan described Process Psychology as a transpersonal psychology providing an empirical basis for what has been called mystical experience.
Yet other theorists reference Systems Thinking
and the work of Ludwig von Bertalanffy
whose concept of a "system" is compared to Whitehead's idea of the "organism".
Finally, the influence of Carl G. Jung is also referenced and he is considered to be among the discipline's founding fathers.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
psychology which was derived from Process Philosophy
Process philosophy
Process philosophy identifies metaphysical reality with change and dynamism. Since the time of Plato and Aristotle, philosophers have posited true reality as "timeless", based on permanent substances, whilst processes are denied or subordinated to timeless substances...
as developed by Alfred North Whitehead
Alfred North Whitehead
Alfred North Whitehead, OM FRS was an English mathematician who became a philosopher. He wrote on algebra, logic, foundations of mathematics, philosophy of science, physics, metaphysics, and education...
. It bears a similar name to Process Oriented Psychology
Process Oriented Psychology
Process oriented psychology refers to a body of theory and practice that encompasses a broad range of psychotherapeutic, personal growth, and group process applications. It is more commonly called "process work" in the United States, the longer name being used in Europe and Asia...
as developed by Arnold Mindell
Arnold Mindell
Arnold Mindell is an American psychotherapist, writer and the founder of Process Oriented Psychology, living in Portland, Oregon. He has written 19 books that have been published in 20 languages.-Career:...
and Amy Mindell
Arnold Mindell
Arnold Mindell is an American psychotherapist, writer and the founder of Process Oriented Psychology, living in Portland, Oregon. He has written 19 books that have been published in 20 languages.-Career:...
but is different in theoretical foundations and methods of treatment. Process Psychology got its start at a conference sponsored by the Center for Process Studies in 1998.
David Ray Griffin
David Ray Griffin
David Ray Griffin is a retired American professor of philosophy of religion and theology. Along with John B. Cobb, Jr., he founded the Center for Process Studies in 1973, a research center of Claremont School of Theology which seeks to promote the common good by means of the relational approach...
, a noted Process Theologian, has also been instrumental in encouraging the development of Process Psychology. Process Psychology is closely aligned with Process Theology
Process theology
Process theology is a school of thought influenced by the metaphysical process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead and further developed by Charles Hartshorne . While there are process theologies that are similar, but unrelated to the work of Whitehead the term is generally applied to the...
and its practitioners frequently refer to spiritual concerns.
John Buchanan described Process Psychology as a transpersonal psychology providing an empirical basis for what has been called mystical experience.
Yet other theorists reference Systems Thinking
Systems thinking
Systems thinking is the process of understanding how things influence one another within a whole. In nature, systems thinking examples include ecosystems in which various elements such as air, water, movement, plants, and animals work together to survive or perish...
and the work of Ludwig von Bertalanffy
Ludwig von Bertalanffy
Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy was an Austrian-born biologist known as one of the founders of general systems theory . GST is an interdisciplinary practice that describes systems with interacting components, applicable to biology, cybernetics, and other fields...
whose concept of a "system" is compared to Whitehead's idea of the "organism".
Finally, the influence of Carl G. Jung is also referenced and he is considered to be among the discipline's founding fathers.