Zhi Mian International Institute of Existential-Humanistic Psychology, LLC

Welcome to Zhi Mian International Institute of Existential-Humanistic Psychology, LLC (ZMIIEHP).  The institute's main focus is on international training in existential and humanistic psychologies, with a focus on dialogue, integration and indigenous practices.

Our Mission

Directly and indirectly helping those who are suffering worldwide by creating a sustainable institute that provides opportunities for education, research, training, and application of existential and humanistic psychological practices through cultural awareness and international dialogue.

Who We Are

ZMIIEHP was founded in July of 2011 by Mark Yank, PhD, Louis Hoffman, PhD, Michael Moats, PsyD, Trent Claypool, PsyD and Jason Dias, PsyD.

Director of ZMIIEHP: Mark Yang, PhD

Dr. Mark Yang is a licensed clinical psychologist from the United States.  The core of Dr. Yang’s clinical experience has been working in University Counseling Centers where he conducted short-term individual and group psychotherapy for students and consulted with faculty regarding mental health issues.  In addition, Dr. Yang has been and is currently involved in the training and supervision of psychology students from the Humanistic-Existential Perspective in Hong Kong.  Dr. Yang’s professional interests include:  Existential Psychology, Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Grief and Bereavement Counseling, and Cross-Cultural Psychology.
 
Dr. Yang earned his Doctorate of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) in 1994 from Fuller Theological Seminary’s, Graduate School of Psychology.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts in  psychology from the University of California in Santa Cruz.  Dr. Yang was born in Taiwan and immigrated with his family to the United States when he was nine years old.  Dr. Yang embraces the fact that he is a dog lover and laments the fact that he is unable to properly raise a dog here in Asia.  A broad range of interests keep Dr. Yang occupied during his free time – prime among them are tennis and ballroom dancing.

Assistant Director of ZMIIEHP: Louis Hoffman, PhD

Louis Hoffman, PhD, is an executive faculty member at Saybrook University in San Francisco, one of the most important institutions in the development of existential psychology in the United States. Dr. Hoffman has five books, including Existential Psychology East-West, as well as numerous journal articles and book chapters relevant to existential psychology. Currently, he is President-Elect of the Society of Humanistic Psychology (Division 32 of the American Psychological Association), and previously has served in many roles supporting the organization. Since 2007, Dr. Hoffman has regularly traveled to China with students to participate in dialogues, exchange, and training on the topics of existential psychology and the psychology of religion. He also actively presents at conferences across North American and in China on existential psychology. Dr. Hoffman resides in Northern California with his family. 

Director of Operations and Finance: Michael Moats, PsyD

Michael Moats, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Colorado who passionately works with clients who are facing loss in different facets and are who learning to redefine their lives through creating new meaning. Along with teaching cultural diversity at the college-level, Dr. Moats’ research interests have been a qualitative, cross-cultural study that investigated meaning making and the lessons learned through loss, and he is currently planning on qualitatively researching the use of existential group practices with individuals living with degenerative diseases. Dr. Moats is a published poet, as well as having authored various articles and a co-authored book chapter. His goal is to continue promoting and engaging in international dialogue to contribute to a more rounded perspective within the psychological community. 

Director of Marketing and Public Relations: Trent Claypool, PsyD

Trent Claypool, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist in the state of Colorado and works as a Staff Psychologist at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs where he provides psychological services to college students and supervises psychotherapy trainees.  Dr. Claypool also has a small private practice and is the Continuing Education Co-Chair for the Society for Humanistic Psychology (Division 32 of the American Psychological Association).  Since 2008, Dr. Claypool has traveled to China and engaged in dialogues, exchange, and training on the topics of existential psychology and training issues in existential-humanistic psychology.  Dr. Claypool resides in Colorado Springs with his family.

Director of Administration: Jason Dias, PsyD

Jason Dias is a university professor residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He has worked for over a decade with adults with developmental disabilities, people experiencing severe states, and people experiencing both conditions at once, as well as with sex offenders.  He is a cofounder of the Zhi Mian International Institute of Existential-Humanistic Psychology, whose mission is to provide basic counseling skills to students of psychotherapy in China.