The seminal, two-volume APA Handbook of Humanistic and Existential Psychology, edited by Louis Hoffman, L. Xochitl Vallejos, Dan Hocoy, Pratyusha Tummala-Narra, and Eugene DeRobertis was published in February 2026. The handbook has 61 chapters; Volume 1 covers “History, Research, Philosophy, and Theory,” and Volume 2 covers “Clinical and Social Applications.” Spanning the early foundations of humanistic and existential psychology to contemporary and future developments, the handbook touches on important theorists and scholars; aspects of human nature and existence, including creativity, freedom, social connectedness, authenticity, meaning making, and self-actualization; the relationship of humanistic and existential psychology to other approaches, such as positive psychology, community psychology, and liberation psychology; and multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice in relation to practice, research, and theoretical development within humanistic and existential psychology. Leading global scholars in existential and humanistic psychology wrote the chapters, making this the most comprehensive scholarship on these fields in print. The Handbook preserves the legacy and details the current state of humanistic and existential psychology while envisioning a more global and inclusive future. The APA Handbook of Humanistic and Existential Psychology can be purchased on the APA website.
In June 2026, the Society for Humanistic Psychology was a primary sponsor of the 4th World Congress of Existential Therapy in Denver, Colorado, which was hosted by the Rocky Mountain Humanistic Counseling and Psychological Association. The Congress theme was Community, Authenticity, and the Mystery of Being. The four-day congress hosted over 500 participants from 40 countries with over 150 presentations. Beyond the rich intellectual engagement, the Congress was an important time for community building within the international existential community. The 4th World Congress of Existential Therapyopens in new window presentation recordingsopens in new window are available online.
Division 32 members have also been involved in shaping the future of humanistic approaches to clinical training and education. In February 2024, Jonathan Raskin published the second edition of Psychopathology and Mental Distress: Contrasting Perspectives (Bloomsbury). This unique textbook can be utilized in introductory and advanced psychopathology, clinical science, and diagnosis courses for undergraduate and graduate-level students. It provides an overview of diverse perspectives on mental health and psychological distress. Rather than focusing on one theory or diagnostic model, the textbook reflects the growing pluralism of the field and introduces different diagnostic perspectives (e.g., the DSM-5-TR, ICD-11 and PDM) as well as contrasting and intersecting conceptual orientations, including psychological, biological, historical, and sociocultural approaches.
Learn more about Division 32.