Contemplative Psychotherapy

Contemplative Psychotherapy was Developed by: Trungpa Rinpoche

 

Overview of Contemplative Psychotherapy: “Contemplative psychotherapy is the blending of Western psychotherapy with Buddhist awareness practices. From this perspective, our ability to be present with whatever arises in the moment is the foundation for meaningful psychotherapy. Our actual experience is the doorway to self-acceptance and authentic change.

 

Traditional psychotherapy tends to pathologize people's pain, and generally focuses on changing or fixing undesirable symptoms. From the contemplative point of view, our basic nature is intrinsically healthy but our awareness of this health is often obscured. Contemplative psychotherapy is a process of uncovering this fully awake and aware state. We become liberated from unnecessary suffering through experiencing ourselves in the moment, exactly as we are.” ~ Excerpt from Contemplative Psychotherapy.net

 

“Contemplative psychotherapy focuses on how you relate to yourself first and foremost.  We then move on to how you relate to others keeping in mind your self awareness, strengths, needs and desires.  Aside from traditional psychology, contemplative psychotherapists are trained in the philosophy and mindfulness/awareness practices of Buddhism.  The intensive training allows us to delve deep into the human experience of mind and stay present.  This is important because Buddhist thought on suffering is that the individual creates distraction to avoid the full reality of our experience.  In other words, we learn at an early age to filter out aspects of our authentic experience in order to conform to some sort of status quo.  A contemplative therapist is trained in helping the client achieve a more accurate picture of their experience.” ~ Excerpt from Contemplative Buddhist Psychotherapy

 

Resources Related to Contemplative Psychotherapy:

 

Naropa University

Contemplative Psychotherapy.net

Contemplative Buddhist Psychotherapy

Wikipedia's Page about Contemplative Psychotherapy

 

Books Related to Contemplative Psychotherapy:

 

   


Contemplative Psychotherapy Article Summaries

The Deep Intimacy of Contemplative Psychotherapy

By Linda Jame, LCSW, Contemplative psychotherapy, unlike most western models of psychotherapy, does not see the individual as ill. Pathology is not the focus of treatment, rather it is present moment awareness of just what is happening that forms the foundation of therapy. The core belief that we all suffer, and that suffering is inevitable, is the basis of the work. The Buddha taught The Four Noble Truths, which identify: that suffering exists, what the cause of suffering is, and how we can be released from suffering. Symptoms, ... Read the rest of this entry »
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  • Oliver 2010-02-03 13:49:59

    Have never heard of this model. . . interesting read

  • Lynn Somerstein, PhD, RYT 2009-11-18
    Karen Armstrong, with the help of hundreds of others, created the Charter for Compassion, a call to bring the world together peacefully with respect and love for all. TED.com features Six Talks on Compassion from a Rabbi, an Imam, a Reverend, a Tenzin, a Swami and a secular person, who say that compassion is at the heart of all religion and moraliaty. To quote the Dalai Lama, "My religion is kindness." Compassion also lies at the root of all the psychotherapies and psychoanalysis, but is perhaps most clearly stated in explanations of Contemplative Psychotherapy The Charter can be followed on Twitter and Facebook.

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Contemplative Psychotherapy

Linda Jame, LCSW

Linda Jame, LCSW
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