John Guerin has developed an integration of psychology and finance called "Synsapiens" over 10 years. It brings together positive psychology, behavioral finance, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and the personal narrative. These parallel wisdoms can enhance holistic financial planning by moving away from a problem-based model to a strength-based approach focused on well-being, relationships, and lived values. While professional collaboration across disciplines faces barriers, the opportunities range from simple coordination to more complex integrated efforts and ultimately strengthen client outcomes.

1. Synsapiens
By Envision :
_________________________
A Confluence of
parallel wisdoms

2. Professional Background
John J. Guerin, Ph.D, Chfc, cdfa
• Clinical, organizational & Forensic
Psychologist, mediator, ChFC, CDFA
• Executive Coach & consultant
• Married to CFP
• Ten years Developing integration
of psychology and finance.

3. Setting the Stage : What
is Real? “weal”
• We are questioning our current
concepts of wealth, and
returning to the traditional
meaning.
• Sea change in attitudes
regarding quality of life
• Time for integration now

5. Psychology
• Positive Psychology movement is
gaining acceptance, and moves away
from problem based medical model.
• Psychology accepted as everyday
culture.

6. Financial Planning
• Holistic Planning : mostly sizzle, no
steak. Willing spirit, no map
• “Normal” is changing, customization is
necessary
• Commoditization of FP evolves to fee
only, centrality of relationship

7. Technology
• Connectivity between Planner and Client, and
between client and portfolio enhances
transparency in planning.
• Social connectivity leads to democratization
of resources, multimedia connections, and
costs move toward “Free”.

8. Mindful
Financial Planning Wealth
Positive Behavioral
Psychology Finance
Emotional
Intelligence
Personal Narrative

9. The Driver:
The Personal Narrative
• Four Dimensions of Narrative: Heritage,
Legacy, the Present and the Money Story.
• The Personal Narrative is dynamic,
developmental, and an act of ongoing
creation: Being is Becoming.
• Narrative creates powerful relationship, is a
measure of qualitative wealth, and speaks of
lived rather than espoused values

10. What is: Positive
psychology?
• Moves away from healthcare, and the allopathic
model; strength based - PERMA
• Not threatening, coaching, not therapy
• Fits better with wealth, legacy
• Easily administered and monitored and is teachable
and measurable.

11. What is: Emotional
Intelligence?
• More predictive of career success than IQ
• Used in OD, Leadership
• Not Pathology Based, Trainable, Measurable
• Dovetails with “Difficult Conversations”

12. What is: Behavioral
Finance?
• Assails the Myth of
Rational Markets,
Homo Economicus
• Explains Both Market &
Individual $ Decision
Making
• Assists in Client
Education: Expectation
Management/Retention

13. What is: Financial
Planning?
• Of Course: It’s a Six Step Process with which
we are familiar.
• Also issues of: Fin. Dev. Level
– Independence, Transcendance, Philanthropy
– Predictable/Unpredictable Transitions

14. What is: Mindfulness?
• “Heartfulness”
• Awareness
• Present Focus
• Clearing
• Consistent with +Psy, EI, BF
• Smart/Wise

15. There are Barriers to
Professional collaboration, but
they are surmountable
• different languages, business
models, regulatory and
compliance issues.
• Less than full mutual
appreciation.
• Project mgt. issues.
• Ownership, Turf

16. Opportunities range from simple
to complex, in scope and form
• Coordination requires attention, especially as
complexity of issues increases, or duration is
more ongoing.
• While coordination is difficult, it enhances the
client/professional relationship.