Clark Moustakas, EDD, PhD
(1924-2012)
President Emeritus & Co-Founder, CHS
Columbia University
Educational and Clinical Psychology
The Union Institute
Philosophy
Licensed Psychologist
Together with Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, Clark Moustakas is recognized as a leader in the field of humanistic psychology. He was instrumental in establishing APA’s Division of Humanistic Psychology and the Journal for Humanistic Psychology. In 1980 Dr. Moustakas co-founded the Center for Humanistic studies, now the Michigan School of Psychology, which was the first graduate school in the Midwest to offer a Master’s degree in Humanistic and Clinical Psychology.
Throughout his leadership and presidency, Dr. Moustakas’ main focus was the integration of philosophy, research, and psychology in the education and training of humanistic clinical psychologists. He authored 40 books and numerous articles on psychology, philosophy, education, and human science research, including The Self; Heuristic Research: Design, Methodology, and Applications; Loneliness; Creativity and Love: Awakening Meanings in Life; Phenomenological Research Methods; Existential Psychotherapy and The Interpretation of Dreams; Being-In, Being-For, Being-With; and Relationship Play Therapy. His works have been printed in 10 languages worldwide.
All who have been touched by Dr. Moustakas’ teaching and mentorship speak of his wisdom, caring, and exceptional capacity for empathy. He leaves a lasting and international legacy in the field of humanistic psychology.
Cereta Perry, PhD
(1919-2010)
Professor Emeritus & Co-Founder, CHS
Michigan State University
Educational and Clinical Psychology
Guidance and Counseling
Dr. Cereta Perry was an early pioneer in the field of humanistic psychology. In the early 1970s Dr. Perry, along with Dr. Moustakas, developed the Enhancing Human Potential program at the Merrill-Palmer Institute in Detroit, and was subsequently one of the founders of the Center for Humanistic Studies (CHS), now the Michigan School of Psychology (MSP). As administrator and professor, Dr. Perry was highly regarded for her leadership and teaching excellence. She was an author and contributor to many publications, and was often referenced in articles and books related to children, teaching, and humanistic psychology.
Although she formally retired from CHS in 1998, Dr. Perry remained an advocate for the Michigan School of Psychology and its mission; her principles and teachings continue to this day. MSP’s Cereta Perry Scholarship honors her distinctive contributions to the institution and to the field of psychology; it was established for the purpose of recruiting diverse students who have traditionally been underrepresented in the field of psychology.
During her lifetime Dr. Perry also served as a dedicated educator in the Washington, D.C. and Maryland Public Schools, as well as Howard University and the Union Institute in Ohio. In the late 1990s, she became Professor Emerita at MSP and moved back to Washington, D.C. where she resided until her death in 2010.
Diane Blau, PhD
President Emeritus & Co-Founder, CHS
Saybrook Institute
Humanistic and Clinical Psychology
Licensed Psychologist
As President Emeritus, co-founder, and previous Dean of Academic Affairs at MSP, Dr. Blau has long been involved in furthering the mission of the institution as a unique and outstanding graduate school. She holds a PhD in Humanistic and Clinical Psychology from the Saybrook Institute. Over many years of service, Dr. Blau worked collaboratively with faculty and administration to develop both the masters and doctoral programs. With the goal of promoting the study of humanistic psychotherapy and qualitative research, Dr. Blau contributed extensive experience as an administrator, educator and clinician.
Dr. Blau co-authored the book The Imperfect Therapist. She is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Michigan Psychological Association, and the Society for Humanistic Psychology. Dr. Blau is a Fellow of the APA and along with MSP in 2018, received the Charlotte and Karl Buhler Award from the Society for Humanistic Psychology of APA for outstanding and lasting contributions to humanistic psychology.
Bruce Douglass, PhD
Professor Emeritus & Co-Founder, CHS
Professor Emeritus, Union Institute & University
Clinical Psychology
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Douglass was a co-founder of the Center for Humanistic Studies Graduate School (now MSP), and served at the institution’s first Administrative Coordinator. He was instrumental in gathering participants for CHS’s inaugural class, and in launching its Master’s Degree Program. Dr. Douglass was also a member of the faculty at the Merrill-Palmer Institute and is Professor Emeritus at Union Institute and University, where he served for many years as professor of psychology and Assistant Dean.
Dr. Douglass has taught numerous courses and seminars in research methods, professional and scientific ethics, and psychotherapeutic techniques. He has been a guest editor for professional journals and has delivered invited presentations to numerous universities. Dr. Douglass maintains a private practice in Traverse City and serves as a Consulting Psychologist for the Medical Services Unit of the Disability Determination Service, Social Security Administration.
