Frank A. Gerbode

Gerbode and "Modern Metapsychology"

Frank A. Gerbode founded a psychotherapeutic modality he called metapsychology, a term formed as a portmanteau of metaphysics and psychology. His approach is client-centered, supporting clients in improving self-organization and coping with past negative experiences. Using metapsychology as a basis, Gerbode applies traumatic incident reduction to treat people experiencing psychological effects from traumatic incidents or those with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Metapsychology is a theoretically explicit psychology that aims to connect mind and body while maintaining a client-centered setting. It serves as a foundation in client-centered psychology by involving what is common in experience, leading to agreement and understanding. The modality considers different aspects and views from the client to explain how a psychological issue functions as a whole. It emphasizes experiences as viewed by the client, not by a psychologist interpreting what the experience means.

Metapsychology allows people to recognize they are in control of their own experiences, and once they recognize these experiences, they become aware of ways to improve themselves and their environment. The modern metapsychology movement frames therapy as a way of developing the spirit for personal growth, rather than as treatment for mental disorders. Gerbode's reasoning for the term is illustrated in his formulation: while parapsychology and metaphysics concern uncommon experiences, metapsychology deals with what is common in experience.