Dr. Patty Hlava holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and enjoys ongoing research that encompasses the intersection of somatic psychology practices, transcendent emotion, post-traumatic growth, embodiment, and nondual awareness.
With a background as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Hlava transitioned her focus to teaching, bringing with her over 15 years of experience in direct client work and clinical supervision. Additionally, she holds certifications as a Meditation Instructor, Ayurveda Wellness Counselor, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Practitioner, and Intrinsic Coach, reflecting a multifaceted perspective of healing and personal development.
Dr. Hlava’s diverse background reflects a rich tapestry of experiences, all contributing to her belief in the harmony of Western psychology and Eastern wisdom traditions. Her commitment to bridging diverse psychological perspectives underscores her dedication to fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience and facilitating meaningful transformations in individuals and communities alike.
As lead core faculty in the Global Ph.D. program at Sofia University, Dr. Hlava enjoys supporting the growth and development of the next generation of scholars and therapists by actively engaging and empowering students on their academic journeys.
University Email: Patty.Hlava@sofia.edu
Pronouns (optional): She/Her
Credentials: Ph.D.
Program: GPHD, MACP, MATP
Research Interests (Ph.D. Faculty): transcendent emotion, post-traumatic growth, somatic psychology, embodiment, and nondual awareness
Education:
- Ph.D. in Psychology (Concentration in Transpersonal Psychology) – Sofia University (formerly ITP) 2009
- MA in Marriage and Family Therapy – MN School of Professional Psychology 2006
- BA in Fine Art—American Academy of Art and Graphic Design, Chicago, 1997
Publications:
Elfers, J., Hlava, P., Sudduth, M. P., Gaddis, C., Foster, E. L., Richards, S., & Zhu, Y. (2025). Good Grief: After-death communication, grief, and gratitude. Religions 16: 894. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070894
Hlava, P., Elfers, J., Bieber, J., Maitra, S., Burge, C., Howard, A., Carbajal, R., Jamieson, M., Casey, A. (2024). Reorienting through the body: The correlation among self-transcendent emotion experiences and interoceptive awareness. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 65(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678241292482
Elfers, J. & Hlava, P. (2024). Empathy, Ethics, and Empowerment: Supervising the Transpersonal Therapist. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive. 89. https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/advance-archive/89
Elfers, J., Hlava, P., Sharpe, F., Arreguin, S., & McGregor, D.C. (2023). Resilience and loss: The correlation of grief and gratitude. International Journal of Applied Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00126-1
Elfers, J. & Hlava, P. (2017). The spectrum of gratitude experience. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan
Hlava, P., Elfers, J., & Offringa, R. (2014). A transcendent view of gratitude: The transpersonal gratitude scale. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 33(1), 1-14.
Hlava, P. & Elfers, J. (2014). The lived experience of gratitude. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 54(4), 434-455.
