Thomas Greening,PhD: A Forefather to Humanistic Existential Psychology

Abstract

A student’s memories of Dr. Thomas Greening, a giant in a nascent field of Existential Humanistic Psychology; lessons learned through leadership and demonstrated through example.

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of one of the forefathers of Humanistic Existential Psychology, Dr. Thomas Greening. While to many he was a brilliant theorist, educator, and healer, to me he was a father figure guiding me toward my dreams and goals with great compassion, gentleness, and a stern hand. In other words, he became my humanistic existential father figure; one in which I model my own therapeutic practice.

While there are many who will remember Dr. Greening, Tom, for his dedication to the science and craft of psychology; I will remember him for his overt human-ness. I first met Tom at the Division 32 Existential Humanistic Conference held at Pacifica Graduate Institute. As the conference treasurer, I was unloading my car to begin the process of setting up the conference. He walked over to me and introduced himself, curious as to what I was doing. For the remainder of the conference weekend, Tom would stop by the registration booth to check in on the conference, he went to my presentations in support of my research, and he found me during mealtimes just to chat. By the end of the conference, we were fast friends and I was in awe of his wisdom.

As our friendship grew, Tom became comfortable in sharing more about himself. He had learned throughout his life to guard his heart well while remaining open to possibilities. We shared many lunches and afternoons together discussing existential humanistic psychology, problem solving the worlds challenges, encouraging each other, and dreaming of a better more accepting world. It was during one of these afternoons that Tom asked me to present at conferences with him and to write his memoirs. Thus, we eagerly embarked on these projects; Tom keenly aware that time was short.

Our first conference presentation together was at the Division 32 Existential Humanistic Conference at Sofia University. Tom was absolutely delighted to be at this conference, clearly feeling young and in his element, eager to learn and to teach. Tom would often say that in discussing psychology with whom he considered to be the brightest minds of the time was “titillating.” He relished the interactions often stating “this is what keeps me alive.” He was always curious, always engaging, and seemingly always present in the moment. I remember during our presentation he had learned that there was another presentation taking place at the same time with the subject matter of “sex.” He became very interested with this presentation. At the beginning of our presentation, Tom introduced us while I handed out our slide presentation. He then asked if the audience was interested in sex. We could all see the twinkle in his eye as he joked about the importance of linking sex with humanistic existential psychology. He then got up, stated that he and I would be available for questions during the dinner hour and invited everyone to join him in listening to the presentation on sex. What Tom taught all of us in that moment was invaluable; to always be curious, to find humor in situations no matter how uncomfortable, and to live authentically.

Shortly after this presentation, we began to write his memoirs. We spent two afternoons a week for the proceeding 5 years as Tom recounted his childhood memories, revealed how these memories impacted him throughout his life, shared joys and crushing hurts, successes and mistakes, disappointments and triumphs. It was evident that Tom had lived a very full and rewarding life. I will never forget the very first time I saw Tom sad. He showed his raw emotions through tearfulness. To me, he was a hugely successful man, accomplished in his field, kind and attentive, a man showing his deepest emotions to a student. He was confident in his human-ness. The tears were for the regrets of his past specifically with his two daughters. He had said that they were “angry” with him and he could not figure out how to fix the relationship. He loved them fiercely and resolutely with an undying love. He praised them often and hoped for the very best for both of them. They were his joy in life, even above psychology, and his deepest regret was how he perceived he had hurt them with his human-ness.

I remember the first gift he gave to me—a year calendar filled with photos of dogs. Tom had an affinity for dogs as he said “they often saved me from myself.” The unique thing about this dog calendar was that it was a calendar raising money for abused dogs. Some of the stories he would recant of these dogs were horrific in nature but he held hope for each and every one of them. He gave of his time, his resources, and his life in helping to rescue as many as he could while understanding that he could not save all of them. The money Tom earned from any books he had written went specifically to help these animals. In the writing of his poetry, he found solace, grace, humor, and purpose but in the distributing of those poems he rescued dogs.

I remember the day he invited me into the den of his home. This was the area where he would sometimes see clients. The room was warm covered in wood. It was neatly organized with a desk in the corner, two bookshelves, a couch, an armchair and a fireplace. It was on the fireplace mantle that Tom kept his many awards. They were beautifully arranged signifying a lifetime of dedication and work toward the development of Existential Humanistic Psychology and to the art of healing. But, so very much like Tom, humbly displayed in a warm room, depicting the humbleness in which he lived his life. It was in this room that he shared with me the beginnings of the Division 32 Journal of which he was editor for over 30 years. It was a “crazy” idea he had shared with Dr. Jim Bugental and Dr. Rollo May in letters and phone calls. They figured out funding, formatting, printing, and distribution. Thus, it began, in this very room, Tom Greenings home office, typed on a typewriter long before computers and held together by a small group of men who believed in the difference this journal would make.

Yes, Dr. Tom Greening was influential in the field of psychology. He earned the rewards and awards to establish him among the Humanistic existential giants during the nascent years of this discipline. However, when I remember Dr. Thomas Greening, I will remember his many well-earned accolades, but I will mostly remember his human-ness, his love for life, his wonderful sense of humor, and his compassion toward all living things.