Dr. SUSAN Gordon - BOOKs

Susan Gordon, PhD is a Professor of Psychology at National University, San Diego, California, and Research Director and Psychotherapist at the Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, Connecticut. She has a doctorate in the History and Philosophy of Psychology from Saybrook University and studied Naturopathic medicine at Bastyr University. Her publications include The Mind-Brain Continuum: Psychoneurointracrinology (Springer, 2023), Neurophenomenology and Its Applications to Psychology and “Psychoneurointracrinology: The Embodied Self” (Springer, 2013), “Alan Watts and Neurophenomenology” in The Relevance of Alan Watts in Contemporary Culture (Routledge, 2021), and “Humanistic Neuropsychology: The Implications of Neurophenomenology for Psychology” in The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology: Leading Edges in Theory, Research, and Practice (Sage, 2015). She is an invited lecturer at L’Institut des Systèmes Complexes, Paris Île-de-France, Society for Endocrinology, London, UK, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Universität Heidelberg, Hospital for General Psychiatry, Germany, and the Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs, Guangxi Province, PRC.

Gordon, S. (2022). The mind-brain continuum: Psychoneurointracrinology. Springer.

This book proposes a holistic theory of the development of self, drawing on interdisciplinary literature in history and philosophy, existential-phenomenology, neurophenomenology, intracrinology, endocrinology, and naturopathic medicine. The psychoneurointracrine hypothesis bridges the gap between the mind and brain, providing a framework to explain the complex system that facilitates development of one's sense of self and well-being. The book challenges assumptions in present day neuroscience and psychiatry, placing the mind and brain on a continuum of health and growth rather than reducing the study of human consciousness to neurobiological terms and pathological classifications. Readers will find this book a practical reference, while a broad interdisciplinary audience will find it a unique perspective on cognition and the self.

Springer Nature | Hardcover | January 2, 2023 | ISBN: 978-3-031-10058-1

eBook | January 1, 2023 | ISBN: 978-3-031-10059-8

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10059-8

Endorsement

“In this landmark book, Susan Gordon presents a bold hypothesis, one that underscores the importance of psychoneurointracrine activity and links it to female neurology and the development of one’s sense of self. She brilliantly places this activity, which serves as a mind-body bridge, within the frameworks of neurophenomenology and non-linear dynamics. Her psychoneurointracrine hypothesis is a tour de force, one that is holistic, integrating intracrinology with psychology and neurology. This hypothesis undercuts the current assumption that the mind is an epiphenomenon of the brain, creating a paradigm that impacts science’s understanding of behavior, experience, consciousness, and human agency.”

--Stanley Krippner, PhD, Affiliated Distinguished Faculty, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA

“In her fascinating book, Susan Gordon develops a novel theory about the biological connection between mind, brain, and organism. Drawing on empirical research on the role of the female hormonal system in basal states of self and mood, she shows that the biochemistry of the endocrine system must be viewed as an indispensable foundation for the emergence of embodied self-awareness. The homeostasis and hormonal balance of the organism is integral to the sense of well-being and the development of meaning, but it is also continually modulated and influenced by the subject’s experience of his or her world. In this way, she makes a decisive contribution to a theory of embodiment that goes far beyond a computational theory of the brain to focus on the biochemical-organismic processes at the root of the mind.”

--Thomas Fuchs, MD, PhD, Karl Jaspers Professor of Philosophy and Psychiatry,

University of Heidelberg, DE

“This book is a deep dive into the complex interactions within the endocrine system, which are well explained. These interactions with the consciousness process are demonstrated and clarified. With reference to the menstrual cycle and especially the menopausal process, this information provides a new way of understanding its intricacies for the primary care practitioner. It provided a new way for me as a physician to understand my patients’ process within this complexity, and to know better not only what is taking place on a biochemical level but also which direction may provide increased ease for my patient. Thank you for providing this detailed understanding.”

--Jared L. Zeff, ND, VNMI, Former Dean of Academics, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, OR

“An excellent, profoundly thorough reference, for deepening one’s acumen in the multi strata, complex field of psychoneurointracrinology. Dr. Gordon delves into and explains the underlying physiological intricacies masterfully. I particularly love her hypothesis that these hormones fluctuate with the sense of self as the boundaries of the personality are integrated. We have known for decades that hormones are the messengers of human experience. I too believe that our physiology is influenced by both conscious and unconscious experiences. A fabulous read, both comprehensive and enjoyable.”

--Dr. Leila Turner, ND, FABNE, President, Endocrine Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Phoenix, AZ

“Academic libraries are filled with numerous theories of physical, emotional, and psychological development, some right, some wrong, and many using a reductive methodology to present their ideas. Dr. Susan Gordon looks across the interdisciplinary spectrum to lay out the path that connects a shared construct, explaining the mechanisms involved in the psychoneurointracrine system and associated developmental outcomes. Her work provides a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection, and how to empower our personal evolution to even higher levels.”

--Sarah Hiner, Former CEO Bottom Line Inc., Westport, CT

Gordon, S. (Ed.). (2013). Neurophenomenology and its applications to psychology. Springer.

Gordon, S. (2013). Psychoneurointracrinology: The embodied self. In S. Gordon (Ed.), Neurophenomenology and its applications to psychology (pp. 115-148). Springer.

This book explores the meaning and import of neurophenomenology and the philosophy of enactive or embodied cognition. It introduces the psychologist to an experiential, non-reductive, holistic, theoretical, and practical framework that integrates the approaches of natural and human science to consciousness. In integrating phenomenology with cognitive science, neurophenomenology provides a bridge between the natural and human sciences that opens an interdisciplinary dialogue on the nature of awareness, the ontological primacy of experience, the perception of the observer, and the mind-brain relationship that will shape the future of psychological theory, research, and practice.

Endorsement

"Dr. Gordon's psychoneurointracrine model is eclectic and interdisciplinary. It reveals the mind-brain interface, the growth-oriented dimension of the person, and the myth-making dimension of human experience. My colleagues and I were aware of this process when we wrote about "personal myths" or existential life beliefs, stressing their roots in an individual's biochemistry. Her model has considerable explanatory value, providing a way to bridge the explanatory gap between the mind and the brain, how the mind develops not only meaning, but one's sense of well-being, and - ultimately - how the notion of "self" emerges from this complex system."

--Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Integrative Inquiry, Saybrook University, San Francisco, CA

"Susan Gordon has produced a timely book with her new volume on Neurophenomenology. Neurophenomenology is a hot topic within philosophy and neuroscience, yet its assimilation within mainstream psychology is lagging. This book attempts to bridge the gap between philosophical neurophenomenology and such psychological domains as cognition, emotion, learning, pedagogy, meditation, and psychoneuroimmunology. The book also establishes the kinship of neurophenomenology with humanistic psychology, William James’ radical empiricism, and transpersonal psychology."

--Don Moss, Ph.D., Dean, College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences,

Chair, School of Mind-Body Medicine, Saybrook University, Oakland, CA

“A much welcome, if not over-due, translation of neurophenomenological principles—which have previously remained limited to philosophical discourse—to some of the central concerns of psychologists. Exploring how the mind is embodied in emotion, learning, and self-reflection, this volume is a fitting tribute to the pioneering work of Taylor and Varela.”

--Larry Davidson, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University,

New Haven, CT

“This volume accomplishes the elegant and timely synthesis of phenomenology, transpersonal and humanistic-somatic psychologies as they apply to contemporary neuroscience. Both beginners and more advanced scholars will benefit greatly from studying the applications of neurophenomenology to psychology in this book.”

--Aaron L. Mishara, Ph.D., Psy.D., Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Sofia University, Palo Alto, CA

“A heady mix of articles that elucidates the 'hard problem' of mind/brain interrelations and travels some distance in closing the circle of psychology on neuroscience. It is true: William James over a century ago was 150 years ahead of his time.”

--Edward Mendelowitz, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, School of Psychology and Interdisciplinary Inquiry, Saybrook University, San Francisco, CA