American Psychologist Works to Include Spirituality in Psychotherapeutic Practice
Dr. David Lukoff continues his groundbreaking work in Spiritual Psychology at Transpersonal Psychology Conference in Austria
American psychologist and mental health pioneer, Dr. David Lukoff, attended the Austrian Transpersonal Association Conference held at Schloss Puchberg, a 400-year-old palace that was renovated into a conference center by the Catholic Church. The theme of the conference was "Transpersonal Psychotherapy: Our Responsibility in the World".
Dr. David Lukoff is known for his groundbreaking work in the emerging field of Spiritual Psychology. His work has been instrumental in developing a specific category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association and provides a common language and standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders. The DSM is used in the United States of America and in varying degrees around the world, by clinicians, researchers, psychiatric drug regulation agencies, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and policy makers.
Dr. Lukoff is a Professor in the Spiritually-oriented Clinical Psy.D. Program at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and he is a licensed psychologist in California, with expertise in the treatment of schizophrenia, transpersonal psychotherapy, spiritual issues in clinical practice, and case study methodology. He incorporates many transpersonal approaches in his clinical work including meditation, compassion training, and guided imagery as well as leading groups on spirituality. He is author of 80 articles and chapters on spiritual issues and mental health; co-author of the DSM-IV category "Religious or Spiritual Problem"; founding board member of the Institute for Spirituality and Psychology and of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology; and maintains the Spiritual Competency Resource Center.
In addition to Dr. Lukoff's work around the world to incorporate Spirituality into the study of Psychology, he maintains an active role educating the next generation of clinicians at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology.
