Marina Smirnova
Marina
Smirnova
Full Professor, Specialization Director
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Director of Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH) Specialization
Campus:
- Saybrook University
- College of Social Sciences
- Department
- Humanistic Psychology
- Institution
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Saybrook University
- Biography
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Ave, Visionary Scholar-Practitioners, Heart-Centered Leaders, and Wisdom Keepers,
Welcome!
My name is Marina A. Smirnova. I was born on Sakhalin Island (the Far East of Russia), and, well over twenty years ago, I made the U.S.A. my home. My journey has been enriched by earning a Bachelor degree in Music Education (Minsk State Pedagogical University, 1996), a Master of Arts degree in Counseling (Central Michigan University, 2003), and a PhD degree in Psychology, with Transpersonal Psychology Concentration (Sofia University, formerly Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, 2013).
I started my teaching path at the age of 18 as a K-12 music teacher. In 2013, I began my contribution to Saybrook University. In 2016, I became an Assistant Program Director for the Department of Humanistic and Clinical Psychology; in 2017-an Interim Psychology Chair. Currently, as a core faculty member of the Department of Humanistic Psychology at Saybrook, I serve as a Full Professor of Psychology and Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH) Specialization Director. I am a recipient of two recent Saybrook University awards: Presidential Award for Excellence (November 2021) and Exemplary Humanistic Educator Award (August 2024). My interests are deeply humanistic and transpersonal in nature. Outside of the halls of academia, I support adults' inner development by helping them to integrate fully their deeply evocative, Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs). Such experiences often arise within and out of dreams, visions, visitations, spiritual practices, breathwork, visionary journeys, and reality-shattering encounters with Non-Human Intelligences. I support experiencers transpersonally in their quests for spiritual vitality, fulfillment, vibrant longevity, soulful sovereignty, wholeness, exceptional human functioning, and ascension.
I have a deep sense of appreciation for contemplative spirituality, mystical and esoteric traditions, and contemplative practices. My current overarching focus is on examining and cultivating Vibrant Longevity, as well as on exploring, potentiating, and integrating Exceptional Experiences (EEs) and Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs), in general, and reality-shattering UFO /ET /Alien / Non-Human Intelligences encounters, in particular. My heart-centered art and interests include: (1) intuitive spiritual support and guidance; (2) transpersonal ways of knowing, embodiment, ascension mentoring, and spiritual consultation; (3) extreme, deeply evocative, and visionary transpersonal/holotropic states; (4) John E. Mack's transpersonal research on UFO / ET /Alien encounters and human transformation; (5) Stan Grof's expanded cartography of the psyche, holotropic states of consciousness, and GROF® Breathwork / Holotropic Breathwork®; (6) C.G. Jung's transpersonal legacy, Joe Campbell's heroic journey, and James Hillman's acorn theory; (7) psionics, remote viewing, mythology and personal mythology, dreamwork, guided imagery, clinical hypnosis, and alchemy of ascension; (8) consciousness calibration work by David R. Hawkins, (9) the biology of personal empowerment by Bruce H. Lipton; (10) Enneagram; (11) Gene Keys and Dream Arc (by Richard Rudd); (12) indigenous traditions and heart-centered spirituality; and (13) other embodied spiritual approaches that engage inner resources to optimize soulful sovereignty, fulfillment, vibrant longevity, exceptional human abilities and functioning, and joy.
My son is a decorated U.S. Army Veteran. I live and create in Sedona, Arizona.
With Many Blessings and Joy of Joys,
Marina
Marina A. Smirnova, PhD
- Areas of Expertise
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Area Expertise Consciousness & Spirituality Studies Consciousness Studies / Altered States of Consciousness Personal Mythology Spirituality Creativity Studies Arts and healing Dream Studies Dream Studies Psychology Transpersonal Psychology - Education History
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Degree Institution Year Bachelor in Music Education Minsk M. Tank Pedagogical University, Minsk, Belarus 1996 Master of Arts in Counseling Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 2003 PhD in Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology Concentration Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University), Palo Alto, California 2013 - Community Involvement
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Role Organization Smirnova, M.A. (2025, March 14-16). Served as a GROF® Legacy Training (GLT) co-facilitator at the 3-day GROF® Breathwork workshop offered to the public at the Sane Living Center, Ojai, CA. Smirnova, M.A. (2025, January 13-17). Served on the Holotropic Breathwork® facilitators' team at the 5-day immersive Holotropic Breathwork® intensive offered at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA Peer Reviewer International Journal of Transpersonal Studies (IJTS) Peer Reviewer The Journal of Humanistic Psychology Peer Reviewer Possibility Studies and Society journal Kalamazoo Valley Community College Adjunct Humanities Instructor, Department of Humanities - Media Exposure
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Appearance - Presentations
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Title Location Date Smirnova, M. A. (2024, November 9). Exceptional Human Experiences: Optimal Lifelong Learning and Exceptional Human Performance. Session presented virtually at the 30th Annual Conference of the Midwest Institute for International/Intercultural Education. November 2024 Smirnova, M. A. (2024, June 19-20). The Art of Spiritual Transformation through Embodied Vulnerability: Reflecting on Dr. John E. Mack's Transpersonal Research on Alien Encounters. Session presented at the 15th International Conference on Religion and Spirituality in Society, Rome, Italy. June 2024 Smirnova, M. A. (2024, May 19). Longevity and Ascension: Creative Awakening and Spirituality in the Embodied World. Session presented at the Southern Oregon University Creativity Conference. May 2024 Smirnova, M. A. (2024, April 21). On Reality-Shattering Experiences: Conscious Preparation, Experience, and Integration. Earth Origins-VI Conference in Sedona, Arizona. April 19-21, 2024 Smirnova, M. A. (2024, March 8). Standing the Ground of the Heart: The Alchemy of Ascension and Transformation in Contemporary Communities of Learning. Professional presentation at the 2024 Annual Conference of the Michigan Academy Science, Arts, and Letters. March 2024 Santo, C., & Smirnova, M. A. (2023, September 28). Self-Care: Simple Steps Toward Optimal Wellbeing. A Faculty Ambassadors presentation offered to the entire Saybrook University community. September 2023 Smirnova, M. A. (2023, May 18). Composing Your Hallelujah: Vibrant Longevity as a Creative Masterpiece and a Modus Vivendi. Session presented at the Southern Oregon University Creativity Conference. May 2023 Smirnova, M. A. (2023, March 17). Soul and Imagination in 21st-Century Sanctuaries of Learning: Humanistic and Transpersonal Pedagogy. Professional presentation at the 2023 Annual Conference of the Michigan Academy Science, Arts, and Letters. March 2023 Smirnova, M. A. (2022, October 21). Approaches and pedagogy for global education: The alchemy of student engagement. Workshop presented at the 27th Annual Conference of the Midwest Institute for International/Intercultural Education, Schoolcraft College, Livonia, MI. October 2022 Smirnova, M. A. (2022, July 14). Unveiling, Retrieving, and Redeeming Creativity and Creative Living in Midlife: An Inward Gaze. Session presented at the Southern Oregon University Creativity Conference. July 2022 Smirnova, M. A. (2022, March 11). The risk is on me!: Cultivating creative risk taking in online and/or hybrid classrooms. Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters Conference. March 2022 Spaeth, D., & Smirnova, M. A. (2020, March 21). Saybrook Insights: Episode 1: Beauty and the Hero’s Journey. Interview with Saybrook President Dr. Nathan Long for Unbound. March 21, 2020 Smirnova, M. A. (2019, September). The Holy Spirit as the Essential, Truth-Centered Context of Human Life and as an Infinite, Non-Linear Field. Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters Conference. September 2019 Smirnova, M. A. (2018, April). Mythopoetic and Archetypal Sensibilities in the Halls of Ivy: Considerations for International Relevance. Workshop resented at the 25th Annual Conference of the Midwest Institute for International/Intercultural Education, Dayton, OH. April 2018 Graber, L., Willmarth, E., Rosemond, K., & Smirnova, M. A. (2017, October). Music of the Soul: The Art and Science of Transformative Hypnotic Relationships, Mutual Regulation, and Gene Expression Modulation. Workshop co-resented at the 68th Annual Workshop and Scientific Program of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH), the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL. October 2017 Smirnova, M. A., Willmarth, E., & Zarren, H. (2017, March). Galvanizing and Cultivating Wellness-Oriented Epigenetic Changes in Adolescents and in Adults Trough Mindful, Embodied Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Experiences in Clinical Hypnosis: A Practitioner’s Guide to Epigenetic Psychology Theory, Research, and Practice. Workshop co-presented at the 59th Annual American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) Scientific Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. March 2017 Smirnova, M. A. (2016, April). Archetypal Intelligence for Teachers and for the Art of Teaching. Workshop presented at the 23rd Annual Conference of the Midwest Institute for International/Intercultural Education, Schoolcraft College, Livonia, MI. April 2016 Smirnova, M. A., & Willmarth, E. (2015, March). Clinical hypnosis and gene expression modulation: Theoretical, clinical, and empirical Insights into the “top-down” pathways to healing and wholeness. Workshop co-presented at the 57th Annual American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) Scientific Meeting, Jacksonville, Florida. March 2015 Willmarth, E., & Smirnova, M. A. (2013, March). Mesmer, Music, and Movement: Integrative Approaches in Mind-Body Medicine. Workshop presented at the 55th Annual American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) Scientific Meeting, Louisville, Kentucky. March 2013 - Research
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Heuristic Self-Search Inquiry (HSSI)
- Publications
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Chapter Smirnova, M.A. (2020). Holistic benefits of clinical hypnosis. In C. L. Fracasso, S. Krippner, & H. L. Friedman (Ed.) Holistic treatment in mental health: A handbook of practitioners' perspectives (McFarland Health Topics) (pp. 119-126). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland.
Smirnova, M.A. (2020). Holotropic Breathwork in a Clinical Setting. In C. L. Fracasso, S. Krippner, & H. L. Friedman (Ed.) Holistic treatment in mental health: A handbook of practitioners' perspectives (McFarland Health Topics) (pp. 127-135). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland.
Journal Smirnova, M.A. (2025). Review of the book "Rapid hypnosis: The clinician’s guide" By Dr. G. Filo. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 67 (2; https://doi-org.tcsedsystem.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/00029157.2025.2497199), pp. 191-192.
Smirnova, M.A. (2024). A Twenty-Year Retrospective and Tribute: Transpersonal Bestowals and Legacy of John E. Mack, M.D. October 4, 1929—September 27, 2004. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 56 (1), pp. 1-5.
Smirnova, M.A. (2024). Musings on Keith Thompson’s New Book, "The UFO Paradox;" Reflections on Cosmic Requisitions, Transpersonal Ordeals, and Other Entrancing Mysteries of Earthside Living. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 56 (2),
Smirnova, M.A. (2022). Review of the book "Becoming an existential-humanistic therapist: Narratives from the journey". The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 54 (2), pp. 207-210.
Smirnova, M. A. (2022). Review of the book "Psyche unbound: Essays in honor of Stanislav Grof" by Richard Tarnas and Sean Kelly (Eds.). The Humanistic Psychologist, 50 (2), pp. 320-321.
Smirnova, M.A. (2022). Review of the book "Evocation: Enhancing the psychotherapeutic encounter (with transcripts and cases of Milton H. Erickson)" by J. K. Zeig. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 64 (3), pp. 279-280.
Smirnova, M. A. (2014). Review of the book "Neurolinguistic psychotherapy: A postmodern perspective" by Lisa Wake [Review of the book Neurolinguistic psychotherapy: A postmodern perspective, by L.Wake]. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 56 (3), pp. 308-309.
Magazine Saybrook University with M.A. Smirnova, C. Kerson, S. McLain, & A. Dance. (2024). How To Manage Stress During an Election Year Using Integrative Medicine. UNBOUND: NUTRITION & WELLNESS. https://www.saybrook.edu/unbound/how-to-manage-stress-during-an-election-year-using-integrative-medicine/
Other Smirnova, M. A. (2013). Atonement with the Dreadful Manifestations of the Sacred in Holotropic Breathwork: Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of the Breather’s Embodied Experience and the Meaning Arising Within and Out of It. (Doctoral Dissertation). Palo Alto, CA: Sofia University. . doi:UMI Number: 3557624
Smirnova, M. (with Adams, Z., & Akhrymuk, S.). (2012). Research Edition Translation into Russian of TA-285-Body Insight Scale (BIS) by Rosemarie Anderson. Menlo Park, CA: Mind Garden. .
- Professional Skills
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(1) integrating reality-shattering spiritual experiences arising within and out of dreams, visions, visitations, visionary journeys, and UFO /ET /Alien / Non-Human Intelligences encounters, (2) potentiating Exceptional Experiences (EEs) and cultivating and integrating Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs), (3) cultivating the art of transformation and the alchemy of ascension, (4) offering transpersonal/spiritual mentoring, guidance, facilitation, and consultation, (5) working with expanded and holotropic states of consciousness, as well facilitating Grof Breathwork / Holotropic Breathwork, (6) investigating and cultivating vibrant longevity, spiritual vitality, attitudinal vitality, wholeness, and creative living
