Research & Publications

The primary focus of my research is exploring and developing interventions and mechanisms that promote, in the words of Karl Popper, "self-liberation from metal prisons." 

My current research is in developing the theory and practice of 'philosophy as a way of life' for addiction recovery, the development of an integrated meta-theory of addiction [Integrated Metatheoretical Model of Addiction], developing an addiction ontology, and articulating the Theory of Ideology Addiction. 

My other research interests are: Friedrich Nietzsche's moral philosophy and metaphysics; Karl Popper's Myth of the Framework; philosophy as a way of life; existential philosophy and psychology; Simone de Beauvoir's existential ethics; and the role of humor, creativity and beauty in dealing with the existential givens of existence. 

Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications

• Du Plessis, G. (In press). A dispositional account of self-deception: A critical analysis of Sartre’s theory of bad faith.
• Du Plessis, G. (In press). Simone De Beauvoir’s existential ethics as a prophylactic against ideological obsession and addiction.
• Du Plessis, G. (2022). Philosophy as a way of life for addiction recovery: A logic-based therapy case study. International Journal of Applied Philosophy, 35(1), 68 - 87. (Download)
• Du Plessis, G. & Weathers, R. (2022). The utility of Jan Smuts' theory of Holism for philosophical counseling. International Journal of Philosophical Practice, 8(1), 80-104. (Download)
• Du Plessis, G. (2019). An existential perspective on addiction treatment: A logic-based therapy case study. International Journal of Philosophical Practice. 5(1), 1-32. (Download)
• Du Plessis, G. (2014). An integral ontology of addiction: A multiple object existing as a continuum of ontological complexity. Journal of Integral Theory and Practice, 9(1), 38–54. (Download)
• Du Plessis, G. (2012). Integrated recovery therapy: Toward an integrally informed individual psychotherapy for addicted populations. Journal of Integral Theory and Practice, 7(1), 124-148. (Download)
• Du Plessis, G. (2012). Toward an integral model of addiction: By means of integral methodological pluralism as a metatheoretical and integrative conceptual framework. Journal of Integral Theory and Practice, 7(3), 1-24. (Download)
• Du Plessis, G. (2010). The integrated recovery model for addiction treatment and recovery. Journal of Integral Theory and Practice, 5(3), 68-87. (Download)

Books

• Du Plessis, G., Weathers, R., Tollefson, D., & Webb, K. (Forthcoming, 2023). Addiction Recovery & Relapse Prevention Workbook: An I-System Model Application. Cambridge University Press.
• Du Plessis, G., Weathers, R., Tollefson, D., & Webb, K. (Forthcoming, 2023). Recovery Resilience Program Facilitator’s Guide: An I-System Model Application. Cambridge University Press.
• Du Plessis, G., Webb, K. G., & Tollefson, D. (2022). Productive Mind Program Workbook: Facilitator’s Guide. Utah State University. ISBN 978-1-4118024-8-3
• Du Plessis, G., Webb, K. G., & Tollefson, D. (2021). Resilient Mind Skills Workbook. Utah State University. ISBN 978-14118-0203-2
• Block, S. H, Block, C. B., Tollefson, D.  & Du Plessis, G. (2020). Social Unrest: Resolving the Dichotomies of You/Me an Us/Them. Utah State University. ISBN 978-1-4118-0164-6
• Du Plessis, G. (2018). An Integral Foundation for Addiction and its Treatment: Beyond the Biopsychosocial Model. Integral Publishers. ISBN 978-1-4951-8778-0
• Block, S., Block, C., & Du Plessis, G. (2016). Mind-body Workbook for Addiction: Effective Tools for Relapse Prevention and Recovery. New Harbinger. ISBN 978-1-6262-5409-1
• Du Plessis, G. (2015). An Integral Guide to Recovery: Twelve Steps and Beyond. Integral Publishers. ISBN 978-0-9904-4195-3

Book Chapters

• Du Plessis, G. (2019). Incompatible Knots in Harm Reduction: A Philosophical Analysis. In T. Waetjen (Ed.), Opioids in South Africa: Towards a Policy of Harm Reduction. Human Sciences Research Council Press. (Download)

• Du Plessis, G. (2023). The Integrated Metatheoretical Model of addiction. In E. Ermagan (Ed.) Current Trends in Addiction Psychology. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. (Download)

• Du Plessis, G. (2023). A dispositional account of self-deception: A critical analysis of Sartre’s theory of bad faith. Qeios, 1-13. 
• Du Plessis, G. (2023). Simone de Beauvoir’s existential ethics as a prophylactic for ideological obsession and addiction: An uplifting philosophy for philosophical practice, Qeios, 1-14
• Du Plessis G. (2023). More human than all too human: Challenges in machine ethics for humanity becoming a space faring civilization. Qeios, 1-14. 
• Du Plessis, G. (2022). The Integrated Metatheoretical Model of Addiction: Towards an architectonic of a metatheory of addiction. Qeios, 1-25. 
• Du Plessis, G. (2022). Philosophy as a way of life as a pathway to recovery for addicted individuals. Qeios, 1-15.
• Du Plessis, G. (2022). A philosophical analysis of the foundational suppositions in harm reduction theory and practice. Qeios, 1-12.
• Du Plessis, G. (2022). A philosophical analysis of Sartre’s critique of Freud’s depth-psychological account of self-deception, Qeios, 1-9. 
• Du Plessis, G. & Weathers, R. (2022). Jan Smuts’ theory of Holism as an uplifting philosophy for philosophical practice, Qeios, 1-22. 

Peer-Reviewed Conference Papers & Abstracts 

• Du Plessis, G. (2023, February). Simone de Beauvoir’s Existential Ethics as a Prophylactic for Ideology Obsession and Addiction: An Uplifting Philosophy for Philosophical Practice. [Paper presentation]. 5th International Conference of Philosophical Counselling and Practice. (Download)
  
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K. (2022, June). The recovery resilience program: A novel relapse prevention and addiction recovery program. [Paper Presentation]. Addictions Update Conference, University of Utah, Utah, Salt Lake City.
• Du Plessis, G. (2022, February). A philosophical psychotherapy: Logic-based therapy in the treatment of addicted populations. [Paper presentation]. 4th International Conference of Philosophical Counselling and Practice. (Download)
• Webb, K. & Du Plessis, G. (2021, September). Mind-Body Bridging for professional self-care: Preventing and treating secondary trauma. [Paper presentation published online]. Domestic Violence Solutions Conference, Utah State University, Utah, Provo.
• Du Plessis, G., Webb, K. (2019, May). Addiction as mode of being: An existential-psychodynamic foundation for Mind-Body Bridging Therapy in the treatment of addicted populations. [Paper Presentation]. 2nd Annual Mind-Body Bridging Conference, University of Utah, Utah, Salt Lake City.
• Webb, K. & Du Plessis, G. (2019, September). Mind-Body Bridging for professional self-care: Treating Secondary Trauma. [Paper presentation published online]. Domestic Violence Solutions Conference, Utah State University, Utah, Provo. (Download)
• Du Plessis, G., & Weathers, B. (2015, July). The Integral Jan Smuts. [Paper presentation]. 4th International Integral Theory Conference, California, San Francisco. (Download)
• Du Plessis, G. (2013, July). The import of integral pluralism in striving towards an integral metatheory of addiction. [Paper presentation]. The Third International Integral Theory Conference, CA: San Francisco. (Download)

• "The Glass Bead Game as Addiction Recovery: A Metaphor for an Integrated and Philosophical Approach,” Illumination, Medium, 2023.
• “More Human than All Too Human: Challenges in Machine Ethics and Artificial Intelligence for Humanity Becoming a Spacefaring Civilization,” Illumination, Medium, 2023.
• “Narcissists in Wonderland: Simone de Beauvoir’s Existential Ethics as a Prophylactic for Ideology Obsession and Ideology Addiction, Illumination, Medium, 2023.
• “Ideology Addiction,” Illumination, Medium, 2021.
• “Jan Smuts' Influence on Philosophy and Psychology,” Medium, 2021.
• “The Ontology of Addiction,” Illumination, Medium, 2021
• “'Incompatible Knots' in Harm Reduction,” Medium, 2021.
• “The Influence of the Philosophy of Pragmatism on the 12-Step Program,” Illumination, Medium, 2021.
• “Addiction as a Misguided Method for the Satisfaction of Basic Existential Needs,” Illumination, Medium, 2021.
• “Philosophy as a Way of Life for Addiction Recovery,” Illumination, Medium, 2021
• “An Existential-phenomenological Perspective of Addiction Recovery and 12-Step Programs,” Medium, 2021.
• “Is Addiction Really a Brain Disease? No, and Here’s Why,” Clinicians Corner, New Harbinger, 2016.
• “Mind-Body Bridging Skills,” Quick Tips for Therapists, New Harbinger, 2016.

•  Webb, K., Olsen, N. & Du Plessis, G. (2019, May). An Introduction to the I-System Analysis. [Conference Presentation]. 2nd Annual Mind-Body Bridging Conference, University of Utah, Utah, Salt Lake City.
• Webb, K., & Du Plessis, G. (2019, May). I-System Analysis and Mind-Body Bridging treatment planning. [Conference Presentation].  2nd Annual Mind-Body Bridging Conference, University of Utah, Utah, Salt Lake City.
• Du Plessis, G. & Newmark, R. (2018, March). Family and commercial mediation for specialization areas: Disability and substance abuse. [Conference Presentation]. Mediation and Justice in South Africa Conference, Western Cape, Paarl.
• Block, S & Du Plessis, G. (2015, August). An Overview of Mind-Body Bridging [Keynote presentation.] Inaugural Mind-Body Bridging Conference: Origin, Theory and Practice. University of Utah, Utah, Salt Lake City.
• Dupuy, J., Harris, B., & Du Plessis, G. (2010, June). The theory and practice of Integral Recovery. [Conference Panel]. 2nd International Integral Theory Conference, San Francisco, United States.

• “What is Phenomenology, and its Relevance to Virtual Reality?” Presentation for the Department of Philosophy, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, March 2023.
• “Theory and Practice of the Recovery Resilience Program: Facilitator’s Certification Training,” Finnish Association of Mental Health and the Finish Mind-Body Bridging Association, 2 – 28 March 2022.
• “The Unconscious in Nietzsche and Schopenhauer: Antecedents to Freud.” Presentation for the Department of Philosophy, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, May 2022.
• “Building Teams with the Productive Mind Business Solutions Program.” Training presentation for the Department of Education, Western Cape Government, Cape Town, July 2022.
• “An Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation.” Training presentation for the Education Department, Western Cape Government, Paarl, February 2020.
• “A Metatheoretical Foundation for Mind-Body Bridging in the Treatment of Addicted Populations.” Presentation at the Addiction Seminar, Finnish Mind-Body Bridging Association, Finland, Helsinki, September 2019.
• “Theoretical Foundation of the Mind-Body Bridging Sleep Program.” Presentation at the Mind-Body Bridging Sleep Seminar, Finnish Mind-Body Bridging Association, Finland, Helsinki, September 2019.
• “Metatheory of Addiction: A Philosophical Perspective.” Opioids and Harm Reduction in South Africa: Opening a Multidisciplinary Conversation. Presentation at the Johannesburg Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, August 2017.
• “Perspectives from Philosophy: Current Research and Reflections on Applications/Relevance.” Panel discussion on Opioids and Harm Reduction in South Africa: Opening a Multidisciplinary Conversation. Johannesburg Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, August 2017.
• "Integral Metatheory within a South African Context." Presentation to students of the Master in Health Administration program from TIAS Business School, University of Tilburg, Netherlands, 15 May 2014
• “Theory and Practice of Integrated Recovery Meta-Therapy.”  Training presentation to staff at Drakenstein Recovery Centre, Paarl, December 2014.
  
• “Theory and Practice of the Integrated Recovery Program.”  Training presentation to staff at Seascape Recovery Centre, Cape Town, June-November 2010.
• “Foundations of Integrated Recovery Program.”  Training presentation to staff at Tabankuklu Secondary Recovery Centre, Cape Town, June-December 2008.
• “The Integrated Recovery Model.”  Training presentation to staff at Tabankuklu Primary Care Centre, Cape Town, March-June 2007.
• “The Integrated Recovery Approach and Aftercare.”  Training presentation to staff at Tabankuklu Tertiary Recovery Centre, Cape Town, October-December 2007.

Presentation given at Helsinki, Finland

• “The Theoretical Foundation of the I-System Model.” Webinar presentation for the Finnish Association of Mental Health and the Finish Mind-Body Bridging Association,  July 2020.
  
• “The I-System Model of Individual and Collective Human Behavior.” Webinar presentation for the Finnish Association of Mental Health and the Finish Mind-Body Bridging Association, October 2020.
• “Existential Considerations for Rural Substance Use Disorder Treatment.” Presentation for the LSAAG community-based substance abuse outpatient treatment program launch conference, Paarl, South Africa, February 2019.
• “Integrally Informed Approaches to Addiction Treatment.” Presentation for Momentum Mental Health Care, Stellenbosch, September 2017.
• “The Application of Integral Theory in Addiction Treatment,” Presentation for Educational Psychology Department, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, June 2016.
• “A Metatheoretical Approach to Theories of Addiction,” Presentation for Educational Psychology Department, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, June 2016.
• “Towards an Integral Metatheory within a South African Context.” Presentation for students in the MA Health Administration program from TIAS Business School, University of Tilburg, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, May 2014.
  
• “Philosophy for Children” Presentation 7th grade students at Waldorf School, Kommetjie, South Africa, June 2014.
• “Dangers of Drug Use.” Various presentation to students at Camp Africa, Noordhoek, South Africa, 2011-2013.

• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2022). Recovery Resilience Program Workbook. I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2022). Recovery Resilience Program Facilitator’s Guide. I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2021). Resilient Mind for Law Enforcement Officers. I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2020). Resilient Mind for Child Welfare Workforce Workbook. I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2020). Resilient Mind Program for Athletes. I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Utah State University.
• Webb, K., Du Plessis, G., & Tollefson, D. (2020). Mind-Body Bridging Certification Course (Foundation) Syllabus. Academic Publishing, Utah State University.
• Webb, K., Du Plessis, G., & Tollefson, D. (2020). Mind-Body Bridging Certification Course (Intermediate). Academic Publishing, Utah State University.
• Webb, K., Du Plessis, G., & Tollefson, D. (2020). Mind-Body Bridging Certification Course (Advanced). Academic Publishing, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2020). Resilience and Human Flourishing. Academic Publishing, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2019). Building Resilience Program. I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2019). Big Mind for Schools Program Manual (Grades K-3). I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2019). Big Mind for Schools Program Manual (Grades 4-6). I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G. & Webb, K., & Tollefson, D. (2019). Big Mind for Schools Program Manual (Grades 7-12). I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G, Dupuy, J., & Weathers, B. (2018). Integral Recovery Client Workbook: Certification Program. Integral Recovery Institute.
• Du Plessis, G., Webb K., & Tollefson, D. (2018). Mind-body Bridging Skills Workbook 1st Printing. Academic Publishing, Utah State University.
• Du Plessis, G., Webb K., & Tollefson, D. (2018). I-System Analysis. Academic Publishing, Utah State University.
• Block, S. H. & Du Plessis, G. (2016). Mind-Body Bridging Sleep Program Client Workbook. I-Systems Inc. Listed on the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHA), US Department of Health and Human Services (HSS), (Unpublished document).
• Du Plessis, G. & Block, S. H. (2016). Mind-Body Bridging Substance Abuse Program Client Workbook. I-Systems Inc. (Listed on NREPP by the SAMHA, US Department of HHS), (Unpublished document).
• Block, S. H. & Du Plessis, G. (2016). Mind-Body Bridging Sleep Program: Therapist Guide. I-Systems Inc. (Listed on the NREPP by SAMHA, US Department of HHS).
• Du Plessis, G.  & Bloch, S. H. (2016). Mind-Body Bridging Substance Abuse Program: Therapist Guide. I-Systems Inc. (Listed on NREPP by the SAMHA, US Department of HHS).
• Du Plessis, G. (2014). Clinical Program Manual of Rustenburg Addiction Care. Momentum Mental Health Care South Africa.
• Du Plessis, G. (2014). Therapeutic Intervention Manual for HKZ Holland. Momentum Mental Health Care South Africa.
• Du Plessis, G. (2008). Integrated Recovery Workbook: Tabankulu Secondary Care. Tabankulu Addiction Treatment Centre.
• Du Plessis, G. (2008). Integrated Recovery Workbook: Tabankulu Tertiary Care. Tabankulu Addiction Treatment Centre.
• Du Plessis, G. (2007). Integrated Recovery Workbook: Tabankulu Primary Care. Tabankulu Addiction Treatment Centre.
• Du Plessis, G. (2007). Counsellor Manual: Tabankulu Primary Care. Tabankulu Addiction Treatment Centre.
• Du Plessis, G. (2007). Counsellor Manual: Tabankulu Secondary Care. Tabankulu Addiction Treatment Centre.

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Academic publications that reference and discuss my research and therapeutic methodologies on the application of integral-metatheory in addiction treatment and studies.

• The SAGE Encyclopaedia of Theory in Counseling and Psychotherapy by Edward S. Neukrug (Editor)

• ‪Understanding Psychopathology: An Integral Exploration by R. Elliott Ingersoll and Andre Marquis

• The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy and Science (Routledge Handbooks in Philosophy) by Hanna Pickard (Editor), Serge H. Ahmed (Editor)

• Integral Theory and Transdisciplinary Action Research in Education (Advances in Educational Technologies and Instructional Design) by Veronika Bohac Clarke

• Theoretical Models of Counseling and Psychotherapy 3rd Edition by Kevin A. Fall, Janice Miner Holden and Andre Marquis

Trade publications that reference and discuss my research and therapeutic methodologies

• Integral Recovery : A Revolutionary Approach to the Treatment of Alcoholism and Addiction by John Dupuy

• Religion of Tomorrow: A Vision for the Future of the Great Traditions - More Inclusive, More Comprehensive, More Complete by Ken Wilber