Selected Writings of Maureen O’Hara on the Art, Science, and Hope of Humanism

"What an incredible set of essays from one of the most influential visionaries we’ve had in the person-centred/humanistic psychology group of approaches. The first chapter, on O’Hara’s encounter with R. D. Laing, is worth the price of admission alone. The rest of the essays include ones on psychotherapy; intelligent, incisive analyses of the relationship of humanistic psychology to science; as well as prescient essays on the relationship of feminism, politics, and cultural world views to our Western, male, ego-centric psychologies (O’Hara was ahead of her time in writing about these things that have now become centre stage in academic therapy training programs). There is also a section entitled ‘Psychology Futures’ with prescient essays which provide insight into the troubling times we currently live in. Finally, there is a section education. The whole is complemented by insightful dialogues between O’Hara and the editor of the volume, Keith Tudor. A stimulating and thought-provoking book."

Art Bohart, Professor Emeritus, California State University Dominguez Hills, and Adjunct Faculty, Santa Clara University

"This collection of Maureen O’Hara’s writings is a magnificent guidepost and seedbed for those interested in the person-centred approach, humanistic psychology, third force science, client-centred therapy, psychology futures, and education. From its powerful opening chapter, which describes the impact of a meeting between R. D. Laing and Carl Rogers, the book represents the very best of person-centred processes and principles, lived with courage and vulnerability. This is a book for the here-and-now and the henceforth, and especially for the younger generations who are now the catalysts in the areas represented in these covers. This collection provides a cornucopia of brilliance and creativity in ideation and writing, not least by means of the extensive and rich dialogue after each chapter between Maureen O’Hara, the author of the original papers, and her colleague and editor, Keith Tudor."

Gay (Swenson) Barfield, PhD., Lic. (retired) MFT, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Carl Rogers Institute for Peace, Hilo, Hawaii

"Scholars typically produce a body of work pertaining to a specifically bounded arena of inquiry and discourse. However, in this future-oriented retrospective, we are gifted with a body of work that in its coherence, authenticity, congruence, depth, and originality is emblematic of the actualising imperative suggested by Miguel de Unamuno’s image: ‘throw yourself like seed… from your work, you will be able one day to gather yourself’.

In walking through the dialogic mindscape of this mystic scientist’s narrative, we can perceive fauna whose seeds can grow towards understanding and transforming the aridness of modernity and the nihilistic impoverishment of postmodernity. This book is a faithful artifact towards a cultural history of postmodern psychology that can serve towards reigniting a refreshing coherence within the turbulence of our times. How welcome these intimations of a possible centre that can hold!"

Aftab Omer, President, Meridian University, Petaluma, California, United States of America

"In recent years, a presentation by Maureen O’Hara at a conference featuring the work of person-centred theorists has been considered a major event. She has captured her audiences with her astute analyses of the prevailing conditions of the cultural climates in which we find ourselves. She supports us in our search for meaning and value in our work as person-centred practitioners. This book brings together some of her most important academic papers.

The collection evidences the high level of critical thinking and dedication that Maureen O’Hara has put into a career that stretches from her first meetings with Carl Rogers and colleagues in the 1970s to the present day. Her dialogue with Keith Tudor reviewing her work adds reflective spaces to the book which help bring the work alive for a new audience. Shining through all her work is the voice of a woman who is acutely aware of the times when difference and diversity have not been respected. A particular highlight is her first-person account of being an observer and participant in the somewhat explosive encounter between R. D. Laing’s UK-based team and that of the California-based Carl Rogers and colleagues. It was O’Hara’s level of personal engagement and her ability to express her sense of what was happening at a cultural level that made a difference. That sensitivity and analysis continues throughout the book in papers that reflect her deep dive into the epistemological foundations of the person-centred approach and client-centred therapy, as well as the broader field of humanistic psychology, to all of which she has been a major contributor.

Most of all, this is a very human and thoughtful read, which I hope will inform future debate."

Jo Hilton, Person-centred Practitioner and Trainer, Ceredigion, Wales, United Kingdom

"Amidst worldwide existential challenges to our shared humanity, the book Vitalising Persons for Turbulent Times is a rare and indispensable read. Maureen O’Hara’s theoretical writing is informed by the scientific rigor she developed early in her career, as well as significant encounters with R. D. Laing, Paulo Freire, and other thought leaders such as Walter T. Anderson. Her extensive experience working with Carl R. Rogers on the potential in large groups for nurturing social change animates her commitment to creating leaders capable of that cultural midwifery.

Maureen’s seminal writing, together with Keith Tudor’s own intellectually rich responses are philosophically current, authentically personal, and deeply layered. The organically developed relational format of their shared, reflective chapters illustrates how deeply they have embodied the theory and practice of the person-centred approach, and is a gift to the reader. Reading this book brough me back to the excitement, freshness of thought, and growth I experienced working with Rogers myself and interacting with his original partners in developing the person-centred approach. That itself renews my hope, and hopefully yours."

Carol Wolter-Gustafson, Independent Scholar, Boston, Massachusetts, USA