Contemplative Therapy

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

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 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.

Contemplative practices include contemplation, meditation, and yoga, and are usually part of a larger worldview and way of life, optimizing well-being. These practices offer psychological and psychosomatic benefits. Through contemplative therapy, we can train and develop the mind, resulting in enhanced mental capacities, well-being, and maturity. This training therapy can heighten calm, concentration, insight, and joy.

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.

I have a meditation practice of nearly 30 years that helps inform my work with the reflection and mindfulness training in Contemplative Therapy.

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.

Contemplative psychotherapy is based on the idea that people already have what they need to connect with their inherent wisdom and compassion. It's an optimistic approach that helps clients develop confidence in their own sanity. Contemplative psychotherapy differs from other counseling methods in that therapists bring qualities of mindfulness and compassion to the therapeutic relationship. It's based on the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, which emphasizes simplicity, compassion, and insight.

Compassion Based Resilience Training (CBRT)

Contemplative therapy promotes qualities of mindfulness and compassion in order to help clients access their fundamental goodness and natural wisdom.

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.

I am trained in contemplative therapy. While I can teach meditation, I often do not in individual therapy. The contemplative approach is rather to cultivate awareness, curiosity and friendliness toward ourselves. Easier said than done. We are often harder on ourselves than others. Through my own meditation experience and social justice work, I bring a nonjudgemental attitude that fosters safety and openness to all the parts of your experience.

Practice in contemplative psychotherapy and related interventions since 2014.

I use an eclectic approach that combines Mindfulness-Based CBT and other forms of cognitive therapy, such as ACT and DBT to help recognize negative cognitions and beliefs and incorporate skills to increase adaptive thinking and positive cognitions. Using mindfulness-based cognitive therapies to better understand thinking patterns and how we can change our brain in order to move out of autopilot into healthier and more adaptive practices.

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.