Select Publications
- Spaeth, D. (2009) The Psychospiritual Roots of Adolescent Violence: The Importance of Rites of Passage. In D. Polizzi & M. Braswell (Eds.), Transforming Corrections: Humanistic Approaches to Corrections and OffendTreatment. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press.
- Spaeth, D.(2009). Celtic Shamanism. In D. Leeming, K. Madden, & S. Marlan (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. New York, NY: Springer Press.
- Spaeth, D.(2009). Celtic Spirituality. In D. Leeming, K. Madden, & S. Marlan (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. New York, NY: Springer Press.
- Spaeth, D.(2009). Psyche. In D. Leeming, K. Madden, & S. Marlan (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. New York, NY: Springer Press.
Select Presentations
- Spaeth, M. J. D (2012). Military Culture and Combat Trauma. Colloquium facilitated The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
- Spaeth, M. J. D (2012). Creativity in Psychotherapy with Contemporary Pagans. Paper presented at the Cultural Impact Conference, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago IL, January 20, 2012.
- Spaeth, M. J. D. and Larson, P. (2012). Consciousness creation in shamanic journeying. Workshop facilitated at the Cultural Impact Conference, Chicago, IL., The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, January 20, 2012.
- Spaeth, M. J. D. & Larson, P. (2011). Shamanic Journeywork. A workshop facilitated at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, November, 2011.
- Spaeth, M. J. D (2011). Othello: A Case of Narrative Possession. Colloquium facilitated The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
- Spaeth, M. J. D. (2011). Military Culture. Workshop facilitated through The Soldiers Project, Institute of Clinical Social Work, Chicago, IL, September 30, 2011.
- Spaeth, M. J. D.; Mudd, L.; Sargeant, G. (2011) Personal Spirituality as Professional Self Care. Panel presented at the first annual Multi-Campus Integration Conference., The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL. May, 2011.
- Spaeth, M J. D. & Larson, P. (2011). Shamanic Journeying. Experiential workshop and invited presentation at The Society for Humanistic Psychology (APA Div. 32) Annual Conference. Chicago, IL, April 2011.
- Spaeth, M. J. D. & Mitova, K. (2011). Combat Trauma: The Case of Odysseus. Colloquium facilitated at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, February 23, 2011.
- Mitova, K. & Spaeth, M. J. D. (2011). Odysseus’s Cretan Tales: Three Interpretations (Odysseus as a returning traumatized combat veteran). Paper presented at the First Friday Lecture Series, University of Chicago, February 11, 2011
- Spaeth, M. J. D. (2011). Magic as Psychotherapy: Honoring the Frameworks of Contemporary Pagans. Paper presented at the Cultural impact Conference, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, January 2011.
Community Involvement
- Psychotherapy and Spiritual Counseling, White Raven Counseling
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- Ministry Training Program Coordinator, Earth Traditions
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- Vice President, Spirit Lake Wellness
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Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Religion
- American Psychological Association
- Association for Humanistic Psychology
- Association for Transpersonal Psychology
- Illinois Psychological Association
Q&A
Q: Please describe your teaching philosophy.
A: I believe that students generally learn less from an exclusive emphasis on lecture and more through modalities such as active and lively discussion with faculty and each other, experiential participation in small and large group activities (such as presentations and role plays), and active application of educational concepts to "real life" examples of current and personal relevance to them. I try very hard to bring enthusiasm and humor to my teaching style, as I feel that "like begets like"--students will become passionate about psychology and counseling when faculty authentically show an active investment in such things themselves. Just as the quality of therapist genuineness in the counseling and psychotherapy context encourages growth and transformation in clients, I believe that students grow professionally when faculty work hard on being authentic, integrated individuals themselves. Students will be motivated to learn when they observe the positive benefits of such learning in an immediate and concrete way.
Q: Please provide a statement or philosophy regarding the practice of psychology.
A: Humanistic/existential/transpersonal psychology provides a substantive foundation for what is ultimately for me an integrative, empirically-informed emphasis on creating a context for positive therapeutic change.
Q: Why did you choose to enter the field of psychology?
A: In the seventh grade, I read a copy of The Portable Jung, edited by Joseph Campbell. I understood maybe a third of it, but what I did comprehend spoiled me for any other possibility as a career.
Q: What advice would you give to a student entering The Chicago School?
A: Graduate training in psychology is rigorous--take care of yourself but do not gloss over or fail to avail yourself of the singular apportunities offered here. Moreover, do not be shy about flexing your wings and showing your talents and interests.