Gerald May

Gerald "Jerry" Gordon May (June 12, 1940 – April 8, 2005) was an American Psychiatrist and Theologian.[1]

Gerald Gordon May
BornJune 12, 1940 (1940-06-12)
Hillsdale, Michigan
DiedApril 8, 2005 (2005-04-09) (aged 64)
Baltimore, Maryland
OccupationPsychiatrist

He conducted workshops in contemplation and psychology, and wrote several books on how to combine spiritual direction with psychological treatment.

Early life

May was born June 12, 1940 in Hillsdale, Michigan.[2] He was the half-brother of the existential psychologist, Rollo May, who was 30 years Gerald's senior.[3] Their father died when Gerald was nine years old. He did his undergraduate work at Ohio Wesleyan University, graduated in 1962, and received a medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1965.[2]

Career

May initially worked as an Air Force psychiatrist in Vietnam where he was a conscientious objector and then became chief of inpatient services at Andrews Air Force Base. After he and his family moved to Columbia, Maryland,[2] he worked on staff treating patients at the Spring Grove Hospital Center and Patuxent Correctional Mental Health Center of the Maryland state prisons system. In 1973, May joined the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, Maryland, where he eventually became a senior fellow conducting workshops in contemplative theology and psychology.[3] May wrote several books which advanced his views on combining spiritual direction with psychological treatment.[4][5]

Personal life

May was married for 43 years to Elizabeth Jane Clark with whom he had three sons and a daughter.[1]

Selected works
  • The Wisdom of Wilderness: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature (2007) HarperCollins, ISBN 9780061146633
  • The Dark Night of the Soul: A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection Between Darkness and Spiritual Growth (2004) Harper & Row, ISBN 9780060750558
  • The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need (1993) HarperCollins, ISBN 9780060654733
  • Addiction and Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions (1988) Harper & Row, ISBN 9780060655365
  • Will and Spirit: A Contemplative Psychology (1983) Harper & Row, ISBN 9780060655341
  • Care of Mind, Care of Spirit: Psychiatric Dimensions of Spiritual Direction (1982) Harper & Row, ISBN 9780060655334
  • Pilgrimage Home: The Conduct of Contemplative Practice in Groups (1979) Paulist Press, ISBN 9780809121434
  • The Open Way: A Meditation Handbook (1977) Paulist Press, ISBN 9780809102280
  • Simply Sane: Stop Fixing Yourself and Start Really Living (1977) Paulist Press, ISBN 9780809102150

References
  1. Kelly, Jacques (April 12, 2005). "Dr. Gerald Gordon May, 64, psychiatrist for prison system, author and teacher". Baltimore Sun. p. Obituaries. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  2. "Gerald G. May, 64, psychiatrist, author". Washington Times. April 17, 2005. p. Obit. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  3. Bernstein, Adam (April 13, 2005). "Jerry May; Mixed Psychiatric, Spiritual Therapy". The Washington Post. p. B6. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  4. Collins, Brendan. "The changing relationship between psychology and contemporary spiritual direction." Pastoral Psychology 40.5 (1992): 285-292.
  5. Lapierre, Lawrence L. "A model for describing spirituality." Journal of religion and health 33.2 (1994): 153-161.
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