Arnold Mindell (1940-2024) was an American author, therapist, and teacher recognized for his contributions to transpersonal psychology, body psychotherapy, and social change. He founded process oriented psychology, also known as process work, which emerged as an evolution of Jungian psychology, drawing influence from Taoism, shamanism, and physics. Mindell's work extended Jungian dream analysis to encompass bodily symptoms and applied psychological principles to large-group conflict resolution and social issues through concepts like 'deep democracy' and 'worldwork.'

His academic background included studies in applied physics before he turned to Jungian psychology in Switzerland. Mindell trained as a Jungian analyst and later established the Institute for Process Work. He explored the connection between dreams and physical experiences, proposing that 'symptoms are dreams trying to come true.' Mindell's innovative approaches, including his 'dreambody' concept, have been noted for their potential to bridge cultural divides and integrate mind-body healing, aligning with some traditional African healing concepts. He also explored applications of his work in areas such as near-death states and psychiatric interventions.

Arnold Mindell developed process oriented psychology, or process work, a system that expanded upon Jungian psychology. A central concept is the 'dreambody,' which posits a connection between an individual's dreams and their physical experiences or symptoms. Mindell suggested that bodily symptoms could be understood as 'dreams trying to come true.' This approach integrates psychological phenomena with somatic awareness, drawing inspiration from disciplines like yoga and tai chi. His initial work in this area, particularly 'Dreambody: The Body's Role in Revealing the Self,' linked the mind's dreaming process with physical health and illness, establishing a foundation for his subsequent therapeutic methods.

Mindell's theoretical framework was significantly shaped by a diverse range of influences, including Taoism, shamanism, and modern physics. He sought to interpret concepts from mathematics and physics, both classical and quantum, within a psychological context, often including exercises in his books for readers to explore these connections. This interdisciplinary approach extended to his work in social change and conflict resolution, where he developed methods like 'worldwork' and the principle of 'deep democracy.' These tools were applied to address tensions in large groups, including issues of racism and diversity, and his concept of 'rank' has been utilized in mediation training to foster gender awareness.

While recognized as a pioneer in transpersonal psychology and body psychotherapy, Mindell's work also faced criticism. Some commentators found his concepts and practices to be outside the mainstream of psychology and potentially unclear, with his 'dreambody' work being described as 'metaphysical healthcare.' Concerns were also raised about the potential for process oriented psychology to be misused. Despite these critiques, Mindell received accolades, including a Pioneer Award from the US Association of Body Psychotherapy, and his work has been described as natural for building intercultural relationships due to its focus on nonverbal communication and viewpoint shifting.