Buddhist Psychotherapy

Buddhist Psychotherapy is a form of one-to-one psychotherapy that is influenced by Buddhist teachings of wisdom with Western psychological theories. Although it can be confused with religious therapy, Buddhist Psychotherapy is not religious in nature; rather, it is an approach that balances cognitive and analytical perspectives from psychological theorists such as Karl Jung, Ivan Pavlov, Donald Winnecott and Fritz Perls, with Eastern spiritual teachings and philosophies.

Integrative in its nature, Buddhist psychotherapy provides an opportunity to work on the many levels of our existence: the cognitive, the physical and the energetic. It does not tend to fixate on a particular aspect, but rather encompasses them all. By looking at ourselves from all aspects, we can understand, accept and move on with a greater and deeper understanding of our self. In this type of psychotherapy, the intention is that the client will experience their own true health and well-being.

The ultimate goal of Buddhist psychotherapy is to live mindfully in the present moment, to examine how we are right now and to understand the nature and expression of our past conditioning. It also seeks to develop an understanding of the nature of suffering and the inevitability of change as a part of life, as well as to develop the capacity to be present to and to observe our experiences non-judgmentally and with compassion. This approach allows us to turn pain and suffering into fulfillment through shifting out relationship to suffering and to our experiences, and to create a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationships with others in the present moment.

For more information on how Buddhist Psychotherapy can help you or someone you know live a more fulfilled life, please contact our office.