Contemplative Psychotherapy Program

Contemplative Psychotherapy Program /
New York City

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 eligibility

Preference 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

Applications are now open for the Compassion Year starting Fall 2022. Contact Rahshaana Green for additional information.

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

Each week the teachers and the group reminded and inspired me to be increasingly present with my clients and in my life. The meetings helped me to bring a more expanded and wise perspective to whatever I was working with that week. I feel honored to be part of such a special community of people.

—Kelly Zanetich, PhD, Clinical Psychologist