About

John C. Chatlos is a Professor of Psychiatry at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, serving on the Professional Practice Track since July 2021. His academic career includes roles as Associate Professor and Clinical Associate Professor within the same institution, with a focus on addiction and adolescent psychiatry. He holds an MD from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a B.S. in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. His postgraduate training includes fellowships in child and adolescent psychiatry at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and general psychiatry at Bellevue Hospital-New York University Medical Center, along with a training in Humanism from the Humanist Institute. Dr. Chatlos's research interests center on the development of intensive treatments for addiction and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. His work emphasizes specific interventions such as trial abstinence, ambulatory withdrawal management, medication-assisted treatments, and recovery approaches integrating spirituality, 12-step programs, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and trauma resolution. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the field through numerous publications, including books, book chapters, peer-reviewed articles, and reviews, focusing on adolescent substance use, dual diagnosis, and addiction treatment. He has also held various clinical and administrative roles, including Medical Director positions for addiction and adolescent treatment programs, and has been involved in developing community-based prevention and treatment initiatives.

Research topics

• Philosophy
• Social psychology
• Psychology
• Political Science
• Social Science
• Sociology
• Medicine
• Aesthetics
• Developmental psychology
• Law
• Epistemology

Selected publications

• Pilot study of a CBT-based intervention for promoting spiritual experience among men in residential addiction treatment

  International Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Journal · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Objective: Previous studies claim a healing effect on psychological and medical symptoms beyond the biopsychosocial construct of medicine to include a “spiritual” aspect with added experience of wholeness and well-being. A recommendation for the development of a human ontological model for research of this spiritual domain has been suggested. The objective of this study was to test feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a non-psychedelic CBT-based psychotherapeutic intervention in men with long-term substance use and a history of incarceration as such a model. Methods: Fifteen male residents of a long-term residential addiction treatment program received a 10-session manualized group psychotherapy intervention focused on opening experience to a spiritual level and providing emotional healing and greater well-being. Effects were measured with pre- and post-intervention psychological, healing, well-being and spiritual/mystical/ numinous assessments. The Intervention was done sequentially on two cohorts to assess replicability. Scales included ASPIRES (Assessment of Spirituality and Religious Sentiments Scale), NMI (Numinous Motivation Inventory), Hood Mysticism Scale, NIH-HEALS (NIH-Healing Experience of All Life Stressors Scale), WEMWBS (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale). Results: All scales’ Total scores showed statistically significant improvements post-intervention. The pattern and magnitude of change was similar for both treatment groups with 14 of 15 men self-reported a Very Strong (4 on scale of 1-5) or Extreme spiritual experience with this intervention. Conclusions: This study demonstrated feasibility and preliminary efficacy of CBT-based model for a short-term group psychotherapeutic intervention to promote spiritual experience with emotional healing characteristics in men with addiction and post-incarceration in a residential treatment setting. Demonstration of this intervention, that impacts a spiritual level of experience, provides a foundation from which to study the extent of its abilities, compare with current treatments, and identify its unique healing elements. This study adds to the body of knowledge of identifying the role of spirituality in the biopsychosocial model of medicine. Results similar to studies with psychedelic medications suggest usefulness in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Inability to provide a control group limits specificity of results and determining the extent of efficacy and inclusion of only male participants with addiction and incarceration in a residential treatment program limits the scope of feasibility determination.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Is Spirituality a Master Controller for Human Well-Being?

  2024-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  The article “Did Freud Miss the Discovery of Our Spiritual Core?” describes how Freud’s psychoanalytic theory is a bridge to the long-sought discovery of a science-based explanation of spiritual experience as elaborated by the Framework of Spirituality. This framework has been clinically used to intentionally promote spiritual awakening and developed as CBT-STE (for Self-Transcendent Experience). Implications from this clinical application profoundly affect our worldview of being human providing a universal moral direction and values, explanation of the “How” and “Why” of therapy effectiveness and a method for ongoing personal transformation with a neuroscience basis. The characteristics of this spiritual core suggest that it is a “Master Controller” for overall human well-being. A realistic possibility of achieving human well-being with cooperation, harmony, and peace is proposed.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Review of: "Jung on the Meaning of Life"

  2023-09-02

  peer-reviewOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  This was one of the most enjoyable papers I have been asked to review!The author took a very important and complex topic and made it extremely clear, organized, and comprehensible with extensive and detailed knowledge

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Did Freud Miss the Discovery of Our Spiritual Core?

  Religions · 2023-02-20 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  A specific framework of spirituality is presented to direct this dialog between psychoanalysis and religion. The focus is on spirituality as a common and important area of interest. A cognitive-behavioral-theory-based exploration of spirituality identifies experiences of self-worth and dignity as keys to opening a spiritual core that is present in all people. This spiritual core has mystical and numinous characteristics believed to be the foundation of religious traditions. It is elaborated with many specific relationships to the psychoanalytic theory and practice of Freud, Kohut, and Jung, as well as to modern neuroscience and various religious traditions. The personal journey of the author is used to illustrate its foundation, development, and relevance for psychoanalytic, religious, and life experiences, demonstrating how all can work toward a common goal.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• ADOLESCENT IDENTITY FORMATION VERSUS SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

  Zygon® · 2022 · 7 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Social psychology

  Since 1950, Erik Erikson's emphasis on ego‐identity formation as the crucial task of adolescence has been the framework for almost all subsequent research and programming to empower positive adolescent development. Chatlos has recently described a “Framework of Spirituality” and contends that identity formation significantly interferes with and should occur after a spiritual transformational process for optimal and more meaningful adolescent development. This article reviews the current status of research in identity formation, including religious and spiritual identity formation contributing to his conclusion, and describes the spiritual transformational process that is proposed to be central to positive adolescent development. A possible link between systemic focus on identity formation and current social upheaval is also identified.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The New Jersey Perspective on Cannabis Legalization

  Adolescent Psychiatry · 2021-07-29

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Background: Between 2010 and 2020, New Jersey went from treating cannabis as an illegal substance in all circumstances to allowing medical use and subsequently recreational use. The Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) was originally very strict and was progressively liberalized. After attempts to legalize recreational use failed in the legislature, voters passed a referendum to amend the New Jersey constitution to allow recreational use. Our objectives are to document this process and provide the perspectives of psychiatrists treating adolescents. Method: We describe the legislative process and the multiple pressures for legalization and decriminalization. Discussion : Issues germane to youth as a vulnerable population have been inadequately considered by policymakers, the media, and the general population. Greater attention to the process and outcome to mitigate this finding is needed.

  PublisherDOI

• The Effects of Cannabis with a Focus on the Adolescent and FetalBrain

  Adolescent Psychiatry · 2021-06-17 · 1 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Background: Knowledge of the effects of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has significantly increased in recent years. This information has been brought into debates and decisions regarding the medical use of cannabis and recreational use of cannabis and cannabinoid products, often with non-science-based conclusions. Health-related effects, especially those related to children, adolescents, and young adults, must be a critical part of the decisions about the legalization of cannabis, and current knowledge is a necessity. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of cannabis use epidemiology in the United States. and provide current research information about the effects of cannabis use to be used in decisions about cannabis use and legalization, highlighting impacts on children, adolescents, and young adults. Method: Key features of cannabis-related to health benefits and adverse effects were identified to provide a representative collage detailing the knowledge base of health, disease, and public welfare. Emphasis is paid on to the most current research findings and adverse effects related to youth and young adults. Results: Helpful and harmful cannabis effects explain contradictory positions taken regarding further legalization of cannabis products. Federal research prohibition has handicapped a timely science-based informed discussion. Concerns are expressed for the protection of adolescents and emerging adults, regardless of cannabis’ legal status. Conclusion: The special vulnerabilities and needs of adolescents and emerging adults need to be considered in current and future discussions in public policy and legislation at all levels of government related to any further legalization of cannabis products. (N=247 words).

  PublisherDOI

• Implications of Cannabis Legalization: A National and International Perspective

  Adolescent Psychiatry · 2021-06-01 · 2 citations

  articleSenior author

  Background: Issues related to the legalization of cannabis have significantly increased over the past 25 years. Federal policy has become minimally more flexible but essentially maintains marijuana’s dangerous drug status. Myriad laws and regulations characterize the legal status of cannabis across the US and internationally. Contradictory laws and regulations across states result from a lack of coherent federal policy, thus leaving states to address public health, cannabis industry and consumer pressures. Research prohibition has made public policy development difficult and informed by inadequately supported, restricted science. Objective 1: Consider key issues related to cannabis legalization and distinctions between gradients to access for medical purposes, decriminalization or adult recreational use. Objective 2: To consider the status of cannabis legalization on a state and global basis. Objective 3: Consider implications of cannabis legalization and avenues for mitigating harm. Methods: A review of the background to cannabis legalization intends to provide insight into cannabis’ current legal status and options being considered for advocacy and policy development. The three major classifications of legalized marijuana are detailed; cannabidiol or hemp and synthetic cannabinoids are considered separately. Results: The status of cannabis within the US and globally has often been discordant with reality and science, and rigid with pressures to effect change. The diversity of state and international laws is significant, even within the same designation into one of the three major classes or cannabidiol. Conclusion: Science-based standardized federal and state laws and regulations to meet the special needs of adolescents and emerging adults must be pursued.

  PublisherDOI

• A FRAMEWORK OF SPIRITUALITY FOR THE FUTURE OF NATURALISM

  Zygon® · 2020 · 5 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Sociology
  • Social Science
  • Epistemology

  William James wrote that the life of religion “consists of the belief that there is an unseen order, and that our supreme good lies in harmoniously adjusting ourselves thereto.” Naturalism organizes our experiences of the universe within a science‐grounded philosophical and/or religious framework aligning it with what is supremely good for our lives. This article describes a science‐grounded specific “Framework of Spirituality” identifying part of this unseen order that opens a “spiritual core” within persons as a source of healing and happiness. A cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) expanded process shows how experiences of human worth and dignity are keys to this new awareness and provides speculation for a brain function and evolutionary explanation. Details of this knowledge are related to various perspectives and authors of naturalism—scientific, religious, ecstatic, and ecological—to contribute to a future direction for the understanding, development, and further expression of naturalism.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Whole Patient: Observation Without Judgment

  2019-11-12

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Psychiatry plays a central role in exploring and treating the depths of human experience captured by the word “soul.”

  Publisher

Frequent coauthors

• Theodore A. Petti

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  14 shared

• Zachary Rothman

  University of British Columbia

  1 shared

• Vanessa C. H. Soh

  1 shared

• Charles A. Dackis

  1 shared

• J Liu

  Beijing Language and Culture University

  1 shared

• Alexandre Henri‐Bhargava

  Island Health

  1 shared

• S Lee

  1 shared

• Yuet Mui Celeste 袁月梅 Yuen

  Chinese University of Hong Kong

  1 shared

Education

• MD, School of Medicine

  University of Maryland Baltimore

  1978

Awards & honors

• Postgraduate Training Humanist Institute, N.Y.C (1985-1987)
• Crack: What you should know about the cocaine epidemic, Putn…