Claude M. Steiner PhD (1935-2017) was an Austrian American psychotherapist and author, renowned for his contributions to Transactional Analysis (TA). Born in Paris, Steiner’s family fled Nazi-occupied Europe, eventually settling in Mexico. In 1952, he moved to the U.S. to study engineering at UC Berkeley, but soon found his calling in psychology, earning a PhD from the University of Michigan and then coming under the mentorship of Eric Berne in San Francisco, the founder of TA. Steiner’s extensive work in TA, Radical Psychiatry, and Emotional Literacy led to influential publications, including “Scripts People Live” and “The Other Side of Power.”

Claude Steiner’s beloved book, “The Original Warm Fuzzy Tale,” first published in 1969 and dedicated to his children, introduces the concept of “warm fuzzies” to symbolize positive interactions and emotional support in the setting of what he called the “stroke economy”. This timeless story encourages readers to spread kindness and warmth freely, embodying Steiner’s vision of emotional literacy. “The Original Warm Fuzzy Tale” has been translated into multiple languages and continues to inspire readers worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and connection.