Awakening Wonder: Exploring Psychological Study and Practice through a Transdisciplinary Scholarly Retreat
Yan Zhuang
Co-Presenters: Rachel Guanlao. Jennifer Block-Lerner, Hannah Blum, Kay Middleton
College: College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major: PSYD.SCHL/CLNL
Faculty Research Mentor: Lerner, Jennifer Kleiman, Keryn Marks, Donald
Abstract:
Title: Awakening wonder: Exploring psychological study and practice through a transdisciplinary scholarly retreatAuthors: Yan Zhuang, Rachel Guanlao, Jennifer Block-Lerner, Keryn Kleiman, Donald R. Marks, Hannah Blum, and Kay Middleton; Department of Advanced Studies in Psychology, Kean UniversityAbstract:This project is centered around a transdisciplinary scholarly retreat that aims to inform new currents within clinical psychology. The retreat invites panelists from a wide swath of disciplines and professions, representing the humanities, arts, life sciences, and ecopsychological perspectives (e.g., Adams, 2023, Fischer, 2013), to dialogue and engage in shared contemplative and experiential practices. As a shift away from many current objectifying practices, we are interested in perspectives and insights from these disciplines that may inform a reorientation within psychology around cultivating wonder, awe, and a deep sense of interconnectedness with one another and the larger natural world. We believe that this emphasis has significant implications for understanding and addressing the intersecting and amplifying crises of our time, including climate change, poverty, prejudice, and loneliness and other forms of psychological distress.After dialogue among panelists, for the second part of the retreat, other behavioral health providers and trainees will be invited to ask questions and continue the conversation. The aim of this program evaluation project is to explore these participants’ experiences with and perceptions of the retreat and its implications. We are also interested in the ways that participants’ life experiences, educational histories, religious/spiritual traditions, and other cultural dimensions may relate to their views on collaborating with professionals in other disciplines and this reorientation within psychology more broadly. These questions will be addressed via open-ended questions and post-retreat interviews and/or focus groups.Responses will shape similar offerings that aim to establish new priorities for clinical psychology and transform the discipline (and its applications) by fostering a richer, more holistic understanding of the human person.Keywords: Transdisciplinary, Scholarly Retreat, Interview, Ecopsychology, Mindfulness