Two-year training integrating time-tested mindfulness and compassion practices in Buddhist psychology with evidence-based western psychotherapy and neuropsychology.
Overview
The New York City program consists of 2 live online retreats and 30 live online weekly classes.
Schedule
The New York City program begins in the Fall with a weekend retreat online, where core faculty provide intensive instruction in the foundations of contemplative psychology and either mindfulness or compassion meditation (depending on the year).
Semesters are comprised of weekly classes on Thursday evenings from 6 – 8:30pm online. Classes typically start with a guided meditation and group discussion leading into the weekly lecture.
Please note: Due to the uncertainty of social distancing requirements brought on by the pandemic, we have had to change our format from in-person to online, live classes.
Curriculum
The curriculum is taught over two years. One year is dedicated to Mindfulness-based Psychotherapy and the other in Compassion-based Psychotherapy. Participants may start the two-year program in either year:
Mindfulness Year
The Mindfulness Year provides a comprehensive foundation for integrating contemplative psychology and meditation practice into contemporary psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, object-relational, interpersonal, family-systems therapies and related caregiving fields. Areas of study include:
- foundations of Buddhism and Buddhist psychology
- neuroscience of meditation
- clinical applications of mindfulness: mechanisms of change and effects
- contemplative psychotherapy: integrative nuances
- meditation practicum: instruction with Sharon Salzberg
Compassion Year
The Compassion Year provides a comprehensive foundation for integrating the social psychology and meditation practices of the Nalanda tradition into contemporary transpersonal and self-psychology, narrative, somatic, and gestalt therapies. Areas of study include:
- transforming the mind for social engagement
- self-analysis and giving-and-taking practices
- role-modeling imagery and embodied openness for self-transformation
- visualization and sublimation practices
- meditation practicum: instruction with Bob Thurman
Eligibility
Social workers, mental health counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, physicians, creative arts therapists, educators, coaches, graduate students, and others in the helping professions are encouraged to apply.
Continue reading eligibilityPreference may be given to those who are established in their clinical practice, who have had at least some exposure to meditative practices, and who wish to deepen their awareness of contemplative-based practices and their clinical applications.
According to the Nalanda teaching tradition, this training can be entered in either year. For those wishing to enter the program in the Compassion Year, acceptance is contingent on applicants’ professional experience and on familiarity with Buddhist thought and mindfulness/yoga practice. Accepted applicants will be invited to attend a review course to prepare for the Compassion Year training. New participants who graduate from the Compassion Year are invited to continue in the next cycle of the Mindfulness Year.
Tuition
Tuition is currently $4,000 for 9 months of live weekly online retreats, classes, supervision, rigorous curriculum, projects, and retreats.
Please note that no refunds or credits will be issued once classes begin in the fall.
Application information
The application period for the 2021–2022 Mindfulness Year (starting in the Fall) is now open. Apply here.
Faculty
Joe Loizzo, MD, PhD (Director); Ann Harper Campbell, MSN, MPH, NP, CYT (Co-Director, NYC); Rahshaana Green, MBA, PMP, RYT (Co-Director, NYC), Pilar Jennings, PhD (Core Faculty); and Geri Loizzo (Inclusivity Liaison).
Past and present guest lecturers have included Robert Thurman, Sharon Salzberg, Lama Rod Owens, Tara Brach, Dan Siegel, Chris Germer, Roshi Joan Halifax, Richard Davidson, Paul Fulton, Stephen Porges, Ethan Nichtern, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, and Jan Willis.
View all Contemplative Psychotherapy faculty
Contact
New York Co-Directors: cppnyc@nalandainstitute.org