Lucia Tanassi, PhD, MSW, LCSW is a psychotherapist, anthropologist, bioethicist, and meditation teacher specializing in the therapeutic use of meditation to heal from traumas and life’s rejections. She received a PHD in Anthropology from the University of Cambridge, UK, and a Masters of Social Work from San Jose State University. She has taught college level anthropology, ethics and social work, and has worked in medical settings since 2004. She provides Psychotherapy as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California, and meditation instruction and coaching worldwide. She completed Nalanda Institute’s Certificate in Contemplative Psychotherapy and CBRT. She helps people with complex medical issues, and life limiting illness; She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and works with people who have experienced stressful events, trauma and loss.
Contact: lucialcsw@gmail.com / Website: limberhabit.com
Alexa Owen, C-IAYT, is a meditation faculty member at Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, as well as a graduate of the Contemplative Psychotherapy Program and teacher training in Compassion-Based Resilience Training (CBRT). She has delivered workshops on wellness and contemplative science at libraries, high schools, and universities; created mindfulness training content for values-driven organizations; and guided meditation through her work with the Anti-Racism Planning Group at Smith College School for Social Work, where she is currently working toward her Master of Social Work degree. A certified yoga therapist and inspired student of social science, she is passionate about supporting people in fully embodying their lives through self-awareness, compassion, and flourishing in their intra- and interpersonal relationships.
Contact: alexa@alexaowen.com / Website: alexaowen.com
Renu Pariyadath, Ph.D., is a student of Indian and Tibetan non-dual philosophies and contemplative traditions. She is exploring the potential for using contemplative practices to overcome othering, transform conflict, promote resilience within organizations, and build community. Renu is also a teacher-scholar, active within the areas of environmental health, sustainability and justice, inclusion in higher education, organizational ethics, and transnational migration. She is an associate professor of communication and an affiliate faculty member in women’s and gender studies at the University of South Carolina Upstate.
Contact: renustuff@gmail.com / Website: renupariyadath.com
Erin Heisel, PhD, MM, MCPC, is an artist, writer, educator, and mindfulness and meditation teacher. Her artistic background includes a doctorate in Music Performance and Composition from New York University; she has performed as a singer and movement artist on four continents. Her research sits at the intersection of music performance philosophy, play theory, flow theory, and mindfulness-based improvisation, and she has presented her work at conferences in the U.S. and abroad. She has led practices in mindfulness, movement, and meditation at the Brooklyn Public Library, Adelphi University, and the International Network on Personal Meaning conference in Vancouver. She is also a YTT-200 yoga teacher and a certified coach.
Contact: eheisel@gmail.com
Tyler Miller, BS, is trained in the biomedical sciences and evolutionary psychology. At 20, an endocrine disorder set him off on a path of self-healing and a search for a deeper understanding of the embodied mind. He is a graduate of the 2-year Contemplative Psychotherapy Program at Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science and in Hatha Yoga studies from Yoga House in Pasadena, CA. He currently is teaching and coaching while pursuing a post-graduate certificate in clinical lab sciences. He is a student of the contemporary “meaning crisis,” and seeks to support others through his experience studying and training with teachers from some of the world’s rich spiritual lineages and their recent convergence with the modern scientific and humanistic systems ways of understanding.
Contact: addisonreuss@gmail.com
Allison White, ACSW, LCSW, CCDP-D, is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, with over 30 years in the field. Specializations include trauma (certified in EMDR), depression, anxiety and workplace burnout. Allison worked in leadership at a large healthcare organization for over 25 years as a Clinical Supervisor, Behavioral Health Program Manager and Healthcare Home Director while focusing on whole-person care and integrating mind-body wellness. She was a Compassion Fatigue facilitator and staff Wellness Coach. Allison wrote articles for St. Louis Health and Wellness magazine and was a regular guest on the Health and Wellness radio show. Allison completed the Veterinary Social Work certificate program at the University of Tennessee and gives presentations and workshops on Compassion Fatigue, mindfulness, compassion and resilience for veterinary professionals, animal shelter and rescue groups. Allison’s podcast, Animal Academy Podcast includes interviews with people who share their own journey into well-being.
Contact: allisonwhite@wellnessalley.com / Website: wellnessalley.com
Adrián Villaseñor Galarza, PhD, is an integral eco-psychologist, and a graduate of Nalanda Institute’s Contemplative Psychotherapy and CBRT Programs. He received his doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA. Adrián is the founder and director of the Bioalchemy Institute and the Work That Reconnects Latin America, author of a handful of books, and has been engaged in transformative education for the last 17 years. In his work and research, Adrián has focused on the confluence of Eastern liberation teachings, Earth-based traditions, and Ecopsychology, resulting in an integrative framework for self-discovery, healing, and regenerative action. Adrián assists groups and individuals in their healing journeys in both English and Spanish.
Contact: adrian@nalandainstitute.org / Website: living-flames.com
Gretchen Blycker, LMHC, LMT, RYT, PhD candidate, is a board-certified sex therapist, licensed massage therapist, registered yoga teacher, and adjunct faculty member at the University of Rhode Island. For the last 25 years she has been integrating a holistic framework in promoting sexual wellbeing, healthy relationships, healing from sexual trauma and treating problematic sexual behaviors. Gretchen integrates embodied contemplative practices in her work with individuals and couples in her mindfulness-based sex therapy practice as well with students as a sexual wellness educator.
Contact: gretchen.blycker@gmail.com / Websites: halsosamtherapy.com awakeningaaa.com
Anna Winkler, BA Psych, E-RTY500, LMT has been practicing and teaching yoga since 1989. She was originally certified through the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, where she served as a volunteer staff member for over 6 years. Anna is the Director of Shakti Yoga & living arts in Maplewood, NJ. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a certified Ayurveda Lifestyle Consultant from Kripalu School of Ayurveda’s first graduating class of 2006. Anna is honored to serve on the Board of Directors, and as a teacher, at the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing, a retreat center in Cragsmoor, NY founded by her teacher, Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche.
Contact: anna@shaktinj.com / Website: shaktinj.com
Chris Panzica, LCSW is a psychotherapist in private practice. He received his MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. He is a graduate of Nalanda Institute’s Contemplative Psychotherapy Program, a Certified Gestalt Therapist, and he completed the Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy program at the Center for Somatic Studies. He works with adults and couples and is also a clinical supervisor at Identity House. The benefits he experienced from his own meditation practice led to his interest in studying Buddhist Psychology and learning to teach others contemplative practices.
Contact: chrispanzicalcsw@gmail.com
