David B. Feldman is an American psychologist who is a full professor of psychology at Santa Clara University. His research focuses on hope, meaning, and growth in the face of life's difficulties, and he has been instrumental in developing Hope Therapy and applying it to various populations.[1]
Feldman has been a professor (2005–present) at Santa Clara University's graduate department of Counseling Psychology. Additionally, Feldman has taught in Santa Clara University's Center for Professional Development (2006–present), a continuing education program. Feldman has held supervision positions at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (2004-2005) and the University of Kansas (2000-2003). During the 2025-26 academic year, he was awarded a visiting adjunct professorship in the faculty of psychology at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. [2]
Awards and accolades
“Great Psychology Book” of the month by all-about-psychology.com for Speaking for Psychologists. (March 2010)[2]
During the 2025-26 academic year, he was awarded a visiting adjunct professorship in the faculty of psychology at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. [2] This position is described by Chulalongkorn’s Office of Research Affairs as fostering “long-term collaboration with renowned international experts…to promote research, develop academic partnerships, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience.”[3]
Hope: research, measurement, and treatment applications
Maintenance and growth of hope and meaning in the face of physical illness, trauma, and other highly stressful events
Psychological aspects of chronic and terminal medical illness
Well-being and burnout in healthcare professionals
Interventions derived from positive-psychology constructs
Publications and media
Feldman has authored numerous articles and book chapters, as well as presented nationally and internationally. He has been interviewed in SELF, U.S. News & World Report, and Ode, has had his work featured on WebMD.com and About.com, and has appeared on national radio.
For several years, Feldman hosted a program called About Health on alternate Mondays on Pacifica Radio station KPFA-FM in Berkeley, California.[4] He currently hosts the podcast Psychology in 10 Minutes, where his mission is to communicate the excitement of real psychological science to the public.
Feldman, D. B., & Lasher, S. A., Jr. (2008). The end-of-life handbook: A compassionate guide to connecting with and caring for a dying loved one. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
Feldman, D. B., & Silvia, P. J. (2010). Public speaking for psychologists: A lighthearted guide to research presentations, job talks, and other opportunities to embarrass yourself. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Feldman, D. B., & Kravetz, L. D. (2014). Supersurvivors: The surprising link between suffering and success. New York: HarperCollins.
Cheavens, J. S., & Feldman, D. B. (2022). The science and application of positive psychology. New York: Cambridge University Press.
