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Welcome to DrPaulWong.com! The central location for information about Paul. From recent writing and upcoming publications, workshops and conferences, to research and his clinical practice, it is all here. There is also plenty of biographical information, as well as his upcoming public calendar.  So just who is this Dr Paul Wong? In his own words:
"I'm a Psychology Prof, Clinical Psychologist, author, speaker and justice fighter. My greatest happiness is to bring happiness to the suffering people. Founder of Meaning-Centered Counselling Institute, International Network on Personal Meaning INPM, the International Society for Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy ISEPP, and PositivePeerReview.com. Married to Lilian with two sons Austin and Wesley." |
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 The first edition of The Human Quest for Meaning was a major publication on the empirical research of meaning in life and its vital role in well-being, resilience, and psychotherapy. This new edition continues that quest and seeks to answer the questions, what is the meaning of life? How do we explain what constitutes meaningful relationships, work, and living?
The answers, as the eminent scholars and practitioners who contributed to this text find, are neither simple nor straightforward. While seeking to clarify subjective vs. objective meaning in 21 new and 7 revised chapters, the authors also address the differences in cultural contexts, and identify 8 different sources of meaning, as well as at least 6 different stages in the process of the search for meaning. They also address different perspectives, including positive psychology, self-determination, integrative, narrative, and relational perspectives, to ensure that readers obtain the most thorough information possible. Mental health practitioners will find the numerous meaning-centered interventions, such as the PURE and ABCDE methods, highly useful in their own work with facilitating healing and personal growth in their clients. The Human Quest for Meaning represents a bold new vision for the future of meaning-oriented research and applications. No one seeking to truly understand the human condition should be without it. “The human heart is a meaning-making organ. Living meaningfully with intention is a fulcrum that can counter the gravity of any predicament. In The Human Quest for Meaning a host of old pros provide the theory, research, and methods of meaning-centered practice.”
–Jeffrey K. Zeig, PhD, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Arizona
“This new edition of The Human Quest for Meaning: Theories, Research, and Applications presents much of the best thinking and research on the human quest for meaning done in clinical, experimental, and social psychology today. Paul T. Wong has done a commendable job in selecting and bringing together leading researchers and their ideas. This book is destined to become a classic textbook in positive psychology, counseling, and the existential philosophy of psychology.”
–Alexander Batthyany, PhD, Lecturer of Philosophy of Psychology & Cognitive Science, University of Vienna; Director, Viktor Frankl Institute, Vienna; Author, Empirical Research on Logotherapy and Meaning-Oriented Psychotherapy and Mind and Materialism; Principal Editor, Collected Works of Viktor Frankl (14 volumes) You may pre-order The Human Quest for Meaning at Amazon.com using the link on the left under "Buy Books" or by clicking here. |
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 What is the greatest need in these uncertain times? What are people’s deepest yearnings? What is your most cherished dream?
Yes, I know the popular answers: Good economy, good paying jobs, happiness, success and all things that people typically strive for. But have you considered the unlikely answer that meaningful living might be what people really need? I’ve been struggling for almost 30 years trying to understand and explain the meaning of life. Neither science nor philosophy is able to penetrate the true nature of meaning or plumb the depth of the human cry for its fulfillment. All my research, clinical observations and life experiences could not dispel my self-doubts and feelings of inadequacy, because of the enormous complexity of human existence. But here I am before you my readers, compelled by a sense of urgency. The needs are great and the harvest is ready. Woe to me if I do not do my part. The primary reason is my age. Having devoted a big part of my life to developing the meaningful living project (M4L), I know that I will regret deeply if I do not share my findings before I am too old and too sick to write. Simply put, M4L represents my effort to provide road signs for all those who feel discouraged, confused or stressed out in their quest for a more meaningful and rewarding life. It is also intended for all individuals who have the noble vision of making life better for all people. |
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Paul T. P. Wong & Lilian C. J. Wong
An edited version will appear in Emmy van Deuzen and Susan Iacovou (Eds). Existential Perspectives on Relationship Therapy. Palgrave Publisher Introduction All the evidence on effective psychotherapy has confirmed that relationship heals regardless of what therapeutic approach is employed (Duncan, Miller, Wampold & Hubbel, 2009). However, from a humanistic-existential framework, relationship goes beyond building rapport and therapeutic alliance; the curative effect of relationship can only be fully understood in terms of Rogers’s (1951) preconditions for effective therapy: empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard as personal qualities of the therapist. These preconditions create a positive and safe environment in which clients are free to share their deepest fears as well as explore risky new options. |
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Paul T. P. Wong Life is what lies between birth and death. What makes this journey so difficult is that from the very outset, life moves relentlessly towards death like an unstoppable train racing towards a crushing end. Nothing in life can really prepare us for the inevitable and singular event of personal death. The human mind is not capable of comprehending the full enormity and the horror of biting the dust after a lifelong struggle to make life enjoyable. How can the mind defend itself against its own capacity to foresee one’s own demise? Confucius said: “If we don’t know life, how can we know death?” But I say: “If we don’t know death, how can we know life?” We cannot even begin to understand the meaning of life, until we stare at death unflinchingly. Paradoxically, death holds the key to life. We cannot truly live without awareness of life’s inevitable end. How can we live fully and vitally, if we spend a life time running away from death? In a strange way, life is defined by its fragility and finiteness, and death holds the key to authentic living. Only fools live as if there is no tomorrow. Only fools think that they can avoid death anxiety by immersing themselves in pursuing pleasures and worldly success. Death is like an unfathomable black hole, capable of destroying all our dreams, achievements, and happiness. But at the same time, the idea of death can save many lives by challenging us to fill the huge void by living a life of significance. The challenge for psychologists and death educators is to discover pathways to death acceptance. This essay focuses on meaning-making as a promising way to free us from the terror of death to self-actualization. |
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Paul T. P. Wong Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology (Campbell, 1971). His influence continues to grow in many areas, such as psychological types, dream work, play therapy, and the role of spirituality and religion (Aziz, 1990; Johnson, 1989; Jung, 1933, 1964). This brief essay focuses on his contributions to positive psychology. The importance of meaning The positive psychology of Viktor Frankl (Wong, 2007) and Jung can be classified as depth positive psychology, because both of them emphasize the need to integrate the unconscious realm. Both can be considered fathers of contemporary positive psychology because of their focus on the innate human potential for growth through meaning and spirituality. |
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Recently, Professor Harriet Wu from Fugung University emailed me, asking me where I got the energy to work long hours every day. I replied that whenever I felt exhausted, one look at the Global Love of Life Award from the[…] 
