A licensed psychotherapist (LCSW) and an emeritus professor of philosophy, I have one foot in the world of therapy and one in the world of philosophy. As a philosopher, I was always much more interested in questions of the practical application of the discipline rather than its theoretical implications. Whether it was the Buddhist view of suffering, Stoic advice on equanimity, Aristotle’s view on the good life, Camus’ thoughts on the absurd, or the Transcendentalist reflections on nature—these were the thinkers I taught and read. My first book, Don’t Worry, Be Stoic: Ancient Wisdom for Troubled Times, was an attempt to apply the principles of Stoicism to the problems of contemporary life. I was also a member of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association (APPA).Founded by Lou Marinoff, author of Plato not Prozac, it is the APPA’s mission to train philosophers to take the wisdom of philosophy outside of the academy.
After several decades teaching and writing, I decided it was time to accept a new challenge, and went through the formal training to become a psychotherapist.I take a mindfulness-based approach combining ancient wisdom systems with modern therapeutic interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, and Positive Psychology. I am also heavily influenced by Eastern thought, particularly Buddhism, and am a meditation teacher trained in the Shambhala tradition. Mindfulness plays a big role in my therapeutic work, and I am a qualified teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). I work with clients to develop strategies and skills (i.e., virtues) they can apply to whatever challenges they are facing in order to live fully and joyfully in the present moment
Professional Training
Conditions Treated: Anxiety, Anger Mangement, Depression, Grief and Loss, PTSD, Complex Trauma, Addiction, Life Transitions,
Therapies Utilized: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems, AttachmentTheory
Certifications
I have teaching level qualifications for Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction from the University of California at San Diego Center for Mindfulness. MBSR is the gold standard of mindfulness trainings, which has been used for most of the research on mindfulness over the past four decades. Only a few institutes in the country can certify teachers of MBSR.
In addition, I have advanced training in Mindfulness for Chronic Conditions from Vidyamala Burch’s Breathworks. Vidyamala pioneered the use of mindfulness for chronic pain in Great Britian and continues to be a leading force in the field.
I am on the national provider registry for Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). CPT is on the American Psychological Associations list of strongly recommended strategies for PTSD
PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
- Arizona Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #21534)
- PhD (Philosophy), University of Washington
- MSW, Arizona State University
- Emeritus Professor, Weber State University, Ogden, UT
- Certified Philosophical Practitioner, American Philosophical Practitioner Association (APPA)