Contemplative Therapy

I hold a MA in Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology. “Contemplative psychotherapy may be said to have two parents: the 2,500-year-old wisdom tradition of Buddhism and the clinical traditions of Western Psychology, especially the Humanistic school. Like all offspring it has much in common with both of its parents and yet is uniquely itself at the same time.” — Karen Kissell Wegela,

I completed my master's degree in contemplative psychotherapy (now titled Buddhist Psychology) at Naropa University. This included a great deal of study beyond traditional therapy programs to learn Buddhist philosophy and practice meditation and mindfulness techniques. We embodied these practices beyond just intellectual understanding by undertaking two-week-long meditation retreats every semester, during which we would implement what we were learning to better understand it within ourselves.

Jodi is a graduate of Naropa's Contemplative Psychotherapy Graduate Program. Naropa University’s concentration in Contemplative Psychotherapy & Buddhist Psychology master's degree is a counseling program that grounds itself in the Buddhist contemplative wisdom tradition and includes current humanistic psychological approaches to give insight and skills to show up fully for one's self and others.

I graduated from Naropa University in the Contemplative Psychology program. Currently work as a professor at Naropa in the Mindfulness-based Transpersonal Program. My approach is rooted in the contemplative tradition. This approach is acceptance based, present moment centered, and works by recognizing the wholeness of my client. Who you want to become is already within you, let's uncover who you are together.

I integrate the Contemplative Theory seamlessly into my approach. By recognizing and embracing our strengths, often overlooked or dismissed, we gain the confidence needed to explore painful experiences. As humans, we thrive in a constant state of change, and the Contemplative Theory aligns perfectly with this perspective. It fosters ongoing self-exploration, guiding us towards our truest selves in this ever-evolving journey of life.

Buddhism + psychology is an incredibly powerful combination for personal growth. Buddhism provides the analogy and wisdoms for living a life free from suffering — we are lotuses that transform the murky mud of our world and its challenges into nutrients for growth — psychology provides insight and guidance into the process of human development and offer tools for change. Up for the challenge? I will dive deep with you to tackle the most fundamental questions about life and who we are.

Overcoming our very human tendency to grasp at pleasure and avoid what's unpleasant is at the core of our work together in therapy. Fortunately, contemplative therapy also allows us to access tools available in your very own heart/mind to make that work less tedious and more meaningful.

Masters of Clinical Mental Health - focus on Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology

I received my Master's Degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology from Naropa University in Boulder, CO. I believe in the power of presence, which we can access through meditation and mindfulness. Contemplative Therapy embodies these principles; by staying with our present experience we are able to understand our patterns and behaviors that no longer serve us, and then work towards change.

I am a contemplative myself, and am a formally trained Spiritual Director in Jewish and Catholic traditions. (Elat Chayyim’s Lev Shomea 2 year training) I create safe space for listening for the soul to be heard, beneath ego’s distractions.

I have a Master's degree in Holistic Health studies and have dedicated my career to integrative approaches to healing. I enjoy bringing in your cultural strengths and practices to our work. I employ mindfulness approaches and focus on compassion: towards self, others, and the natural world, as a part of our work. I encourage time in nature, readings, art, music, podcasts, meditation, and community connection as healing work.

Frequent use of contemplative therapy techniques.

Contemplative therapy integrates Western psychology with Eastern psychology by using Buddhist tenants as foundational touchstones. We uphold the belief that all people are inherently good and have the capability for brilliant sanity-meaning that we all have natural wisdom within us which can be accessed to achieve healing and self-awareness. Mindfulness and meditation are encouraged with this modality.

We work toward deep and transformative reflection together in sessions.

My focus is on the person and their narrative, and the work is based on contemplative, humanistic, and experiential principles. It includes looking at emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and memories while cultivating heightened mindfulness throughout the process. This is the path to connecting one’s response (mind, body, spirit, emotion) to experience, and bringing them to a fuller understanding and integration. This may ease some suffering.

Contemplative Psychotherapy is based on a Buddhist view of how mind functions. Within a contemplative view the mind is fundamentally sane and confusion is temporary. Like the body, the mind is instinctively moving toward clarity. By reflecting this view client and clinician learn to recognize islands of clarity rather than only focusing on defilements.

Contemplative psychotherapy operates on the belief that all people have natural wisdom within them, and this wisdom can be used to achieve healing and self-awareness. I believe that all people are gifted and creative beings, but sometimes those gifts get buried under years of trauma or other pain. It is my great privilege to help you heal your pain and tap into that inner wisdom for optimal living.

Practice in contemplative psychotherapy and related interventions since 2014.