Maciocia's The Psyche in Chinese Medicine
The Treatment of Emotional and Mental Disharmonies with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs
- 2nd Edition - August 4, 2026
- Latest edition
- Authors: Sebastian Maciocia, Thomas Kouo
- Language: English
A comprehensive textbook to understanding and treating psychological and emotional patterns through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Maciocia's The Psyche in Chinese Me… Read more
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Description
Description
A comprehensive textbook to understanding and treating psychological and emotional patterns through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Maciocia's The Psyche in Chinese Medicine, 2nd Edition, guides you through the treatment of mental-emotional disorders using both acupuncture and herbal medicine techniques.
Building on Giovanni Maciocia’s pioneering contributions to the understanding of the psyche in Chinese Medicine, this second edition extends his legacy with updated clinical insights, clear case-based reasoning, and an integrative East–West perspective. This revised edition preserves Maciocia’s original framework while incorporating contemporary clinical insights and updated research contributed by Dr. Thomas Kouo.
Covering disorders from etiology and pathology to diagnosis, this book explores the nature of the Mind (shen), Ethereal Soul (Hun), Corporeal Soul (Po), Intellect (Yi), and Will-Power (Zhi). Individual chapters address the treatment of common conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
With added commentary, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter Q&A by Dr. Thomas Kouo and Sebastian Maciocia, this edition enhances Giovanni Maciocia’s original work — maintaining his authoritative voice while improving usability for students and educators.
Building on Giovanni Maciocia’s pioneering contributions to the understanding of the psyche in Chinese Medicine, this second edition extends his legacy with updated clinical insights, clear case-based reasoning, and an integrative East–West perspective. This revised edition preserves Maciocia’s original framework while incorporating contemporary clinical insights and updated research contributed by Dr. Thomas Kouo.
Covering disorders from etiology and pathology to diagnosis, this book explores the nature of the Mind (shen), Ethereal Soul (Hun), Corporeal Soul (Po), Intellect (Yi), and Will-Power (Zhi). Individual chapters address the treatment of common conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
With added commentary, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter Q&A by Dr. Thomas Kouo and Sebastian Maciocia, this edition enhances Giovanni Maciocia’s original work — maintaining his authoritative voice while improving usability for students and educators.
Key features
Key features
- Case studies offer realistic insights and understanding of the range of diagnostic and treatment choices the practitioner can make
- Expert perspective from Giovanni Maciocia means that you are learning from the West’s seminal figure in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Comprehensive discussion examines the nature of the shen, Hun, Po, Yi and Zhi in Chinese medicine
- Expanded clinical commentary linking shen–Hun–Po–Yi–Zhi to contemporary emotional presentations
- The updated structure enables practitioners to navigate theory, integrative perspectives, and clinical conditions with clarity and precision
- Chapter summaries
- End of chapter Q&A
- Ideal for Acupuncturists and herbalists seeking deeper understanding of the psyche, Integrative clinicians exploring cross-disciplinary approaches, and Students of East Asian Medicine seeking a structured, clinically relevant guide
Readership
Readership
Acupuncturists, herbalists, holistic practitioner; Integrative clinicians; TCAM students; general public
Table of contents
Table of contents
Section 1: The Psyche in Classical Chinese Medicine Theory
1. The Psyche in Chinese Medicine
2. The Role of Chinese Medicine in Disorders of the Psyche
3. The 12 Internal Organs and the Psyche
4. The Nature of the Mind (Shen) in Chinese Medicine
5. The Will-Power (Zhi)
6. The Ethereal Soul (Hun)
7. The Corporeal Soul (Po)
8. The Intellect (Yi)
9. The Emotions
10. The Gui
Section 2: Integrating the Psyche into the Clinical Process
11. Etiology of Mental-Emotional Problems
12. Diagnosis of Mental-Emotional Problems
13. Patterns in Mental-Emotional Problems and Their Treatment with Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture
14. Acupuncture in the Treatment of Mental-Emotional Problems
Section 3: Understanding Diseases of the Psyche According to Chinese Medicine
15. Depression
16. Anxiety
17. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
18. Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression) (Dullness and Mania, Dian Kuang)
19. Insomnia (Excessive Dreaming, Somnolence, Poor Memory)
20. Night Terrors
Review quotes
Review quotes
Review of the previous edition:
"Handsomely bound and weighty, clearly presented and packed with a wealth of thought provoking information, The Psyche in Chinese Medicine will make an attractive read for anyone interested in the subject as well as good clinical reference point for those difficult to decipher signs and symptoms." --(European Journal of Oriental Medicine, Summer 2010)
"Handsomely bound and weighty, clearly presented and packed with a wealth of thought provoking information, The Psyche in Chinese Medicine will make an attractive read for anyone interested in the subject as well as good clinical reference point for those difficult to decipher signs and symptoms." --(European Journal of Oriental Medicine, Summer 2010)
Product details
Product details
- Edition: 2
- Latest edition
- Published: November 13, 2026
- Language: English
About the author
About the author
TK
Thomas Kouo
Dr. Thomas Kouo served at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM) as the Academic Dean and Chair of the Herbology department. While at VUIM, he led the university through the ACAOM accreditation process and the university was awarded the maximum five years initial accreditation in March 2015. Prior to VUIM, Dr. Kouo worked at Pacific College of Health Sciences San Diego, where he was the chair of the Herbal Department and taught in both the Master's and Doctoral programs while also serving as a Clinical Supervisor. A graduate of the Master's and Doctoral programs at Pacific College, Dr. Kouo founded and was the clinical director of Elemental Harmony Acupuncture in San Diego. Elemental Harmony Acupuncture served San Diego and was one of the foremost clinics for pediatrics, orthopedics, and women's health. He was also the creator of a special facial rejuvenation protocol named "Age-Reversal Therapy" (ART) that was featured at the renowned A & B Medical Spa in Hillcrest, California.
Dr. Kouo has treated athletes on the San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Lakers, the US Winter Olympic Training team, and was the acupuncturist for the La Jolla Open Tennis Tournament at the La Jolla Tennis Center. Dr. Kouo was one of the original acupuncturists selected to pilot UCSD's Center for Integrative Medicine and was on staff in family medicine with hospital privileges working alongside UCSD's best physicians. He has also worked in the oncology department of Radys Children's Hospital in San Diego where he developed his love and compassion in working with children.
Dr. Kouo is honored to serve on the medical advisory board of Miracle Babies, a non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of women and families with babies born prematurely. He has lectured both locally and nationally on topics such as Chinese Medicine and HIV/AIDS, Fatty Liver Disease, healthy pregnancy, pediatric care, sports injury care, and integrative medicine. He was also the Director of Wellness for a Fortune 500 company in Los Angeles and was the herbal consultant for the licensure review preparatory company, TCM Tests.