About

Dr. Slife is a clinical psychologist who was, until recently, Professor of Psychology at Brigham Young University. While there, he was the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding, and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, an APA journal. He has been honored recently with several awards for his scholarship and teaching, including the Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association for his contribution to psychology, the Eliza R. Snow Award for research on the interface of science and religion, the Karl G. Maeser Award for top researcher at BYU, the Circle of Honor Award from the Student Honor Association, and both "Teacher of the Year" by the university and “Most Outstanding Professor” by the psychology student honorary, Psi Chi.

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Professor Slife moved from Baylor University where he served as Director of Clinical Training for many years and was honored there as "Outstanding Research Professor" as well as the "Circle of Achievement" award for his teaching.  As a Fellow of several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, he served as the President of the Society of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, on the Council of the American Psychological Association, and on the editorial boards of eight journals:  Journal of Mind and Behavior, Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, Humanistic Psychologist, Journal of Qualitative Research in Psychology, International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy, Qualitative Psychology, Terrorism Research, and The Open Philosophy Journal. 

He has authored or co-authored over 200 articles and 10 books. The books include: 

• Routledge International handbook of Theorectical and Philosophical Psychology: Critiques, Problems, and Alternatives to Psychological Ideas (Routledge, 2022), 

• Hermeneutic Moral Realism in Psychology (Routledge, 2019),

• The Hidden Worldviews of Psychology's Theory, Research, and Practice (Routledge, 2017),

• Frailty, Suffering, and Vice: Flourishing in the Face of Human Limitations (2017, APA Books),

• Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Psychological Issues (1980 - 2013, McGraw-Hill, 19 editions),

• Critical Thinking About Psychology: Hidden Assumptions and Plausible Alternatives (2005, APA Books),

• Critical Issues in Psychotherapy: Translating New Ideas into Practice (2001, Sage Publications),

• Psychology's Fragmentation:  Problems and Prospects (2000, Mind and Behavior Press),

• What’s Behind the Research?  Hidden Assumptions in the Behavioral Sciences (1995, Sage Publications), and

• Time and Psychological Explanation (1993, SUNY Press).

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Dr. Slife has retired from his psychotherapy practice of over 35 years, where he specialized in marital and family therapies.