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 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.

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.

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.

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.

I specialized in Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology for my MA training. This largely informs my work and how I hold space for clients. My daily sitting meditation practice supports my ability to be a contemplative therapist.

My focus includes helping individuals navigate grief, life transitions, identity, trauma, spirituality, and relationship concerns. If you choose to work with me, I would nourish a therapeutic relationship of trust, compassion, and soul

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 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.

I have spent 2 years studying contemplative therapy, including 2 months of meditation retreats, regular group work, and my own mediation practice.

Find balance through mindful practices to directly heal and change your energy.

Compassion Based Resilience Training (CBRT)

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.

I have found mindfulness and contemplative wisdom (often from cultures outside of our Western mindsets) to be very helpful in radically transforming the most stubborn patterns of suffering. I love to teach mindfulness and meditation, and to share helpful concepts with my patients. Therapy can help patients to deepen their awareness, and I often talk with patients about concepts like compassion, self-compassion, acceptance, responsibility... and ways to put this in practice.

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.