Faculty Emeritus

Alan C. Tjeltveit, Ph.D., Emeritus

Psychology

Professor of Psychology, Emeritus
[email protected]

Education
Ph.D. (clinical psychology), M.A. (Theology), Fuller Theological Seminary
B.A., St. Olaf College

Teaching: 1989–2021

  • Introductory Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Psychotherapy and Counseling
  • Advanced Research Methods: Clinical Research
  • Philosophical Psychology
  • History of Psychology
  • The Psychology of Good and Evil
  • Tests and Measurements
  • Character
  • The Psychology of Love of Neighbor
  • First Year Seminars (The Good Life: Health and Happiness; Spiritual Lives)
  • Independent Research and Internship sponsorship

Scholarship

  • Exploring the intersections and integrations of the psychological, moral, biological, sociocultural, and spiritual dimensions of human persons
  • Exploring the intersections and integrations of psychology, philosophy, ethics, theology, religion studies, and history, including
    • the ethical dimensions of psychology, including values and ethics in psychotherapy;
    • professional ethics, including how psychologists can be educated most effectively to avoid ethical violations and achieve ethical excellence;
    • the connections among psychology and philosophy, and especially the subfield of theoretical and philosophical psychology;
    • the epistemology of (ways of knowing about) the ethical dimensions of psychology
    • the ethics of science–practice integration in clinical psychology;
    • appropriate and inappropriate influence of ethical convictions (including social justice) on psychological science and practice;
    • a variety of the many intersections among psychology and spirituality, religion, and theology;
    • the psychology of love of God and love of neighbor, including caring, compassion, and grace;
    • the history of the role of science and other ways of knowing in clinical psychology;
    • the history of professional ethics; and
    • the history of the term values in philosophical and psychological discourse.

Honors & Awards

  • Elected Fellow of American Psychological Association
    • Division 24, the Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology
    • Division 29, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
  • Pennsylvania Psychological Association, 2012 Ethics Educator Award—“for outstanding contributions to ethics education for psychologists.”
  • Steve Harrist Distinguished Service Award (2020)—the Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (APA Division 24)

Selected Publications and Presentations

  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2021). A brief moral history of psychotherapy. In M. Trachsel, Ş. Tekin, N. Biller-Andorno, J. Gaab, & J. Z. Sadler (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of psychotherapy ethics (pp. 31–46). Oxford University Press. Doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198817338.013.4 R
  • Tjeltveit, A. (2021, March 25). Ethics. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. Oxford University Press. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.013.632 R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2019). Disentangling the many meanings of values. In G. B. Sullivan, J. Cresswell, B. Ellis, M. Morgan, & E. Schraube (Eds.), Resistance and renewal in theoretical psychology (pp. 69–77). Captus. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2019, November). A brief moral history of psychotherapy. In M. Trachsel, Ş. Tekin, N. Biller-Andorno, J. Gaab, & J. Z. Sadler (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of psychotherapy ethics. Oxford University Press. Advance online publication. Doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198817338.013.4 R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2016). Value conversion and moral (and spiritual?) transformations: Addressing some complexities of the ethical dimensions of psychotherapy. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 35, 330–343.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2015). Appropriately addressing scientists’ inescapable cognitive and moral values. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 35, 35–52. doi:10.1037/a0037909 R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2013). Psychotherapy and Christian ethics. In R. K. Sanders (Ed.), Christian counseling ethics: A handbook for psychologists, therapists, and pastors (2nd ed., pp. 33–58). InterVarsity Press.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C., & Gottlieb, M. C. (2012, April). Avoiding ethical missteps. APA Monitor, 43, 68–74.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2012). Lost opportunities, partial successes, and key questions: Some historical lessons. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 20, 16–20. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (Ed.). (2012). Theology-informed psychologies of love for God and love for neighbor-as-self [Special issue]. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 31. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2012). What (if anything) can theologies contribute to psychologies of love? An introduction to the special issue. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 31, 99–104.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2011). Understanding the psychological dimensions of love for God and neighbor-as-self: Science, scripture, cross [discussion article]. Edification: The Transdisciplinary Journal of Christian Psychology, 5, 84–99.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2011). Religion, spirituality, and mental health. In S. Knapp (Ed.), APA handbook of ethics in psychology (Vol. 1, pp. 279–294). American Psychological Association.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2011). Understanding the psychological dimensions of love for God and neighbor-as-self: Science, scripture, cross [discussion article]. Edification, 5, 84–99.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C., & Gottlieb, M. C. (2010). Avoiding the road to ethical hell: Overcoming vulnerabilities and developing resilience. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 47, 98–110. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2008). God’s love encountering human love: Psychological perspectives informing (and informed by) theology. In C. A. Boyd (Ed.), Visions of agapé: Problems and possibilities in human and divine love (pp. 103–121). Ashgate.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2007). The psychotherapist as Christian ethicist: Theology applied to practice. In D. H. Stevenson, B. E. Eck, & P. C. Hill (Eds.), Psychology and Christianity integration: Seminal works that shaped the movement (pp. 268–276). Christian Association for Psychological Studies. [reprint of Tjeltveit, 1992] R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (Ed.). (2006, Spring). Love [of God, love of neighbor-as-self], psychology, and theology [Special issue]. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 34 (1). R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2006). Psychology returns to love … of God and neighbor-as-self: An introduction to the special issue. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 34, 3–7. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2006). Psychology’s love–hate relationship with love: Critiques, affirmations, and Christian responses. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 34, 8–22. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2006). To what ends? Psychotherapy goals and outcomes, the good life, and the principle of beneficence. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 43, 186-200.
  • Knapp, S., & Tjeltveit, A. C. (2005). A review and critical analysis of philosophical counseling. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36, 558–565. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2004). Understanding human beings in the light of grace: The possibility and promise of theology-informed psychologies. Consensus: A Canadian Lutheran Journal of Theology, 29, 99–122.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2004). The good, the bad, the obligatory, and the virtuous: The ethical contexts of psychotherapy. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 14, 149–167. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C., & Fowers, B. F. (Eds.). (2003). Explorations of human excellence in behavioral science: Rediscovering virtue in scholarship, teaching, and practice [Special issue]. American Behavioral Scientist, 47 (4).
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2000). There's more to ethics than codes of professional ethics: Social ethics, theoretical ethics, and managed care. The Counseling Psychologist, 28, 242–252. R
  • Richards, P. S., Rector, J. M., & Tjeltveit, A. C. (1999). Values, spirituality, and psychotherapy. In W. R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating spirituality in treatment: Resources for practitioners (pp. 133–160). American Psychological Association.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1999). Ethics and Values in Psychotherapy. Routledge.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1997). Case study in P. S. Richards & A. E. Bergin (Eds.), A spiritual strategy for counseling and psychotherapy (pp. 286–291). American Psychological Association.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C., Fiordalisi, A. M., & Smith, C. (1996). Relationships among mental health values and various dimensions of religiousness. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 15, 364-377. (Muhlenberg student co-authors) R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1996). Aptly addressing values in societal contracts about psychotherapy professionals: Professional, Christian, and societal responsibilities. In P. J. Verhagen & G. Glas (Eds.), Psyche and faith: Beyond professionalism (pp. 119–137). Boekencentrum. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1993). Christian ethics and psychological explanations of "religious values" in therapy: Critical connections. In E. L. Worthington, Jr. (Ed.), Psychotherapy and religious values (pp. 209–223). Baker.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1989). Psychotherapeutic triumphalism and freedom from mental illness: Diverse concepts of mental health. Word and World: Theology for Christian Ministry, 9, 132–139.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1989). The ubiquity of models of human beings in psychotherapy: The need for rigorous reflection. Psychotherapy, 26, 1–10. R
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1986). The ethics of value conversion in psychotherapy: Appropriate and inappropriate therapist influence on client values. Clinical Psychology Review, 6, 515-537.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2021, August). Ethical Ideals Concerning Integration Need to Address Science, Practice, and More. In A. C. Tjeltveit (Chair), The Ethics of Integrating Science and Practice: Which Ethics? Which Integration? Which Science? Paper presented in a symposium at the (virtual) annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (recorded).
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2019, June). Interpreting the Boulder Conference III: Changing Normative Visions of the Science–Practice Relationship in Clinical Psychology. Paper presented at the annual meeting of Cheiron: The International Society for the History of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2018, August). Professional Ethics Needs Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, and Vice Versa [presidential address]. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2018, June). Interpreting the Boulder Conference II: Changing Normative Visions of the Science–Practice Relationship in Clinical Psychology. Paper presented at the annual meeting of Cheiron: The International Society for the History of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Akron, OH.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2018, March). Knowing in the Ethical Spheres of Psychology. Paper presented as part of A. C.
  • Tjeltveit (Chair), Some Diverse Ways of Knowing [presidential symposium], at the Midwinter Meeting of the Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (Division 24 of the American Psychological Association), Phoenix, AZ.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2017, August). Kinds of ethics and ethical kinds: Disentangling discordant and related meanings and/or realities. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2017, June). Interpreting the Boulder Conference: The development of normative visions of the science–practice relationship in clinical psychology. Paper presented at the annual meeting of Cheiron: The International Society for the History of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Starkville, MS.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2017, March). Which psychology? Endorsing (and enforcing?) which ethical ideals? On whose behalf? Paper presented as part of D. Aalbers & A. C. Tjeltveit (Co-chairs), Ethics and psychology after the Hoffman Report: Reflections, questions, discussion, at the Midwinter Meeting of the Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (Division 24 of the American Psychological Association), Richmond, VA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2017, March). Seeing justice, seeing benefit, seeing harm: The reciprocal relationships among psychological inquiry, ethical ideals, and action. Paper presented at the Midwinter Meeting of the Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (Division 24 of the American Psychological Association), Richmond, VA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2016, August). Ethical theories: Impairing and improving science–practice relationships. Paper presented as part of A. C. Tjeltveit (Chair), Integrating science and practice: Beneficial theory; detrimental theory, at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Denver, CO.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2016, May). Provoking one another to love: Psychological pitfalls; psychological contributions. Paper presented at the Meaning of Love conference, Biola University, La Mirada, CA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2016, March). Exhibiting love and justice in psychotherapy: Ethical tensions and resolutions. Continuing education presentation at the annual meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies International, Pasadena, CA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2015, September). Ethical practice with clients who act badly and disgust us. Continuing Education presentation for the Immaculata pre-doctoral internship consortium supervisors, presented at Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2015, June). Disentangling the many meanings of values. Paper presented as part of B. S. Held (Chair), Several slippery concepts—Past and present, presented at the meeting of the International Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, Coventry, England.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2015, August). Value- and science-informed understandings of psychological problems: Taking persons seriously. Paper presented as part of R. B. Miller (Chair), Abnormal psychology: Finding conceptual coherence without the DSM-5, at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2014, August). Theories of moral perception: When “neutrality” blinds, but moral convictions illumine. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2011, August). Appropriately addressing scientists’ inescapable (cognitive and moral) values: Epistemology, methodology, ethics, wisdom. Paper presented as part of Practical philosophies of science that acknowledge the personal: Addressing emotional, cognitive, ethical, and financial biases and contributions (A. C. Tjeltveit & A. S. Mundis, Chairs), at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2009, August). Moral perception: A legitimate role for moral value-informed epistemologies? Paper presented as part of Values, Morality, and Ethics (A. C. Tjeltveit, Chair), at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada,.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2010, April). Understanding Christian love: Scripture, science, cross. Invited “Distinguished Scholar” lecture presented at the annual meeting of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Kansas City, KS.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2010, February). The merits of moral perception and philosophies of science that take moral values seriously. Paper presented as part of Tjeltveit, A. C., & Osbeck, L. M., Re-evaluating science: Finding a proper role for emotions and ethical convictions in science practice, at the mid-winter meeting of the Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (Division 24 of the American Psychological Association), Miami, FL.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2008, February). Ethics-informed psychologies: Problems and promise. Paper presented as part of The proper role of ethical convictions in psychological inquiry: A symposium and discussion (A. C. Tjeltveit, Chair), at the mid-winter meeting of the Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (Division 24 of the American Psychological Association), Miami, FL.
  • Heller, C. A., & Tjeltveit, A. C. Asperger’s versus Autistic Disorder? Clinician and student diagnosis and attitudes. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA, August, 2007. (Muhlenberg student co-author)
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. Caring and compassion in the clinic: Dangerous, essential dimensions of ethical practice. Invited "Distinguished Lecture" presented at Widener University, Chester, PA, March 22, 2005.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2004, May). Understanding the virtue of love by multiple (orthogonal? conflictual?) means. Invited address presented at Scripture and the Disciplines: Setting a New Agenda: The Bible in Dialogue with the Academy, Wheaton, IL.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2003, June). Variegated values: The origins of “values” as term of science, ethics, deconstruction, autonomy, and authenticity. Paper presented at the 35th annual meeting of Cheiron: The International Society for the History of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Durham, NH.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2003, June). Psychology’s love–hate relationship with love: Critiques and affirmations. Paper presented at the Works of Love: Scientific and Religious Perspectives on Altruism conference, Villanova University, Villanova, PA.
  • Gioe, V. J., Knauss, L. K., Tjeltveit, A. C., & Bersoff, D. N. (2002, October). New directions in ethics education. Presentation at the 8th annual Pennsylvania Psychological Association Ethics Educators meeting, Harrisburg, PA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2002, April 12). The good, the bad, the obligatory, and the virtuous: The ethical contexts of psychotherapy. The Inaugural Moran Lecture on Psychology and Ethics, University of Nevada, Reno.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2001, August). Implicit virtues, divergent goods, multiple communities: Psychology explicitly addressing virtue. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (2001, June). Applied psychology is (and should be) based on science and ethics, not science alone. Paper presented at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Theoretical Psychology, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1999, August). Thinking ethically about psychotherapy: Philosophical ethics and clinical practice. American Psychological Association Division 24 Preconvention Continuing Education workshop, Boston, MA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1998, August). Practice-relevant values research: Fruitfully addressing ethical and methodological heterogeneity. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1998, August). Understanding psychotherapy's ethical character: Respective roles of science and ethics. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C., Myers, B., Lanham, J., & Kelly, T. A. Measuring values relevant to mental health: Psychometric investigations of the Kelly Values Questionnaire. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, Geilo, Norway, June, 1997. (2nd & 3rd co-authors: Muhlenberg students)
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1996, August). Is research on "values" in therapy about facts or values? Part of a symposium, Values in psychotherapy: What, where, and how? Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1996, August). Understanding values in psychotherapy apart from religion: Yes and no. Part of a symposium, Understanding/addressing values in psychotherapy: The role(s) of spirituality/religion, at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.
  • Vera, T. Y., & Tjeltveit, A. C. The importance of gender and ethnic identity in Latinas. Presentation at the annual meeting of the American Association of Applied and Preventive Psychology, New York, New York, July, 1995. (Muhlenberg student co-author)
  • Bergin, A. E., Beutler, L. E., Consoli, A. J., Kelly, T. A., Kubacki, S. R., & Tjeltveit, A. C. (Chair). (1994, July). Panel presentation: New approaches to measuring values in psychotherapy. Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, York, England.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1992, August). Clarifying the meanings of "values": Some relevant history. Paper presented at the 100th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
  • Tjeltveit, A. C. (1987, August). Treating concurrent substance abuse and other psychopathology: Interactions are important! 95th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, New York, New York.
    Cohen, E., McColl, C., & Tjeltveit, A. (1980, February). Values clarification: An alternative approach to premarital counseling. Presented at the 32nd Annual Convention of the California State Psychological Association, Pasadena, California.