Louis Hoffman, PhD, and Veronica Lac, PhD, edited volume, The Evidence-Based Foundations of Existential-Humanistic Therapy was published by APA Books in May 2025. The book serves to align existential–humanistic therapy (EHT) with the standards of evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP). It provides a solid empirical foundation for EHT as a therapeutic modality (thereby debunking the common falsehood that it has no empirical support), while also demonstrating how EHT can serve as an integrative approach.
The book identifies evidence for primary existential competencies and best practices, as well as multicultural considerations for prioritizing an individual client’s needs. In each chapter, expert psychologists detail a key principle of EHT, including therapeutic presence, empathy, working with emotions, authenticity, therapist self-disclosure, here-and-now work, and the self within the therapeutic context. Integrative strategies including mindfulness, art therapy, experiential therapy, and equine-assisted therapy demonstrate the effectiveness of these foundational elements, when combined into a single approach. Contributors draw on three pillars of EBPP—research evidence, clinical experience, and client characteristics—to demonstrate how EHT can be just as effective as other evidence-based approaches, if not more so in some contexts.
In addition, an updated (third) edition of Kirk Schneider, PhD, and Orah Krug, PhD, book, Existential-Humanistic Therapy–also published by APA Books as part of its Theories of Psychotherapy series—will be available in October 2025. This primer to the theory, history, research, and practice of EHT helps therapists and trainees understand how to help people address critical life questions and attune to how clients relate to themselves and others, appropriately reflecting back aspects of themselves that are evident but unnoticed. New to this edition are significant updates to research and theory, including the work of Otto Rank, an often-overlooked pioneer in EHT, and new concepts like the existential unconscious and life-enhancing anxiety. The cultivation of presence as a central component of the therapeutic relationship also is emphasized.
Division 32’s Epistemological Diversity Task Force has prepared responses to APA’s calls for comments on its proposed updates to our Ethics Code and to the Professional and Clinical Practice Guidelines for PTSD. Those responses expressed appreciation for the substantial progress our discipline has made in recent years incorporating holistic theorizing and conceptualization; relational, experiential, and expressive healing approaches; qualitative inquiry; and cultural humility and sensitivity—all of which generations of humanistic psychologists have long advocated for. The responses also provide suggestions for directions psychologists can take in the way of further broadening and deepening their understanding and application of these perspectives and methods in their educational, research, therapeutic, and other applied psychology practices.
Division 32 thanks Scott Churchill, PhD, for 20 years of dedicated service as editor of our official journal, The Humanistic Psychologist, since 2006! We also welcome Louis Hoffman, PhD, as the incoming editor! Louis brings extensive editorial experience and familiarity with the humanistic literature. He has articulated a vision for the journal that includes enhancing both the theoretical and cultural diversity of its editorial board and working toward increasing its impact factor in order to bring greater visibility to humanistic psychology.