When Paul Bialek appeared on L.A. Talk Radio, he spoke with Lon Woodbury and Liz McGhee on the idea of how Buddhism meets western therapy. Contemplative Psychotherapy, he explained, was the name for this combination between Buddhism and western therapy.
Parent Choices for Struggling Teens is radio program host by Lon Woodbury, who is an Independent Educational specialist. He shares this responsibility with, Elizabeth McGhee, a co-host. She is Director of Admissions and Referral Relations at Sandhill Child Development Center.
Paul Bialek
Paul Bialek is the program lead for the Contemplative Psychotherapy program at Naropa University. He is also in private practice as a psychotherapist in Boulder Colorado. He has been practicing meditation for 35 years and holds a Masters Degree in Intellectual History from Johns Hopkins University and a Masters Degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University. He is interested in applying and integrating the wisdom of the contemplative tradition of Buddhism into the practice of counseling.
So Just What Happens When Buddhism Meets Western Therapy?
When Buddhism meets western therapy, Bialek believes that they share the a similar purpose: alleviating individual suffering. As a result, counseling specialists throughout the USA have found it very useful to integrate Buddhist concepts like mindfulness into their standard repertoire.
Extensively used by a lot of therapists throughout the country is the technique of mindfulness, which consists of the discipline of focusing on the unfolding minute, with an emphasis on restraining judgment. This practice suspends judgmental, so there is no thought about right or wrong; instead it is about learning to be with the existing moment. Mindfulness, then, is about permitting thoughts to come and go. This contemplative procedure creates clear thinking and practical behavior.
Someone who did Contemplative Psychotherapy did not necessarily teach mindfulness or mind-calming exercises during a counseling session, but practiced the fine art of mindfulness when hearing their patients. This attentive listening encouraged clients to share their ideas, feelings and sensations openly.
Sharing examples of his use of contemplative psychotherapy in practice, he explained the process of paying attention with a friendly attitude to just what was going on with a variety of various clients. The therapy helped clients familiarize themselves with their very own thought-patterns and begin observing their very own life experiences with detachment.
When it came to teenage substance abuse, he made clients aware of their own energy patterns and thoughts. Therapy might include teaching mindfulness and tracking skills to clients and their family. When it came to substance abuse, contemplative therapy helped people notice when they were getting cravings instead of automatically capitulating to them.
Discussing anger management in adolescents, he talked about how mindfulness was a beneficial tool in helping struggling teens convert their temper into useful energy. In this form of psychotherapy, there is no attempt to purge an emotional state, but to collaborate with it, therefore progressively elevating emotional intelligence. Clients may in fact have knowledge about their circumstances, just not the capabilities to cope with their feelings.
Amazing things happen when Buddhism meets western therapy, the contemplative therapist is instrumental in restoring "peace of mind" in the client.
Parent Choices for Struggling Teens is radio program host by Lon Woodbury, who is an Independent Educational specialist. He shares this responsibility with, Elizabeth McGhee, a co-host. She is Director of Admissions and Referral Relations at Sandhill Child Development Center.
Paul Bialek
Paul Bialek is the program lead for the Contemplative Psychotherapy program at Naropa University. He is also in private practice as a psychotherapist in Boulder Colorado. He has been practicing meditation for 35 years and holds a Masters Degree in Intellectual History from Johns Hopkins University and a Masters Degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University. He is interested in applying and integrating the wisdom of the contemplative tradition of Buddhism into the practice of counseling.
So Just What Happens When Buddhism Meets Western Therapy?
When Buddhism meets western therapy, Bialek believes that they share the a similar purpose: alleviating individual suffering. As a result, counseling specialists throughout the USA have found it very useful to integrate Buddhist concepts like mindfulness into their standard repertoire.
Extensively used by a lot of therapists throughout the country is the technique of mindfulness, which consists of the discipline of focusing on the unfolding minute, with an emphasis on restraining judgment. This practice suspends judgmental, so there is no thought about right or wrong; instead it is about learning to be with the existing moment. Mindfulness, then, is about permitting thoughts to come and go. This contemplative procedure creates clear thinking and practical behavior.
Someone who did Contemplative Psychotherapy did not necessarily teach mindfulness or mind-calming exercises during a counseling session, but practiced the fine art of mindfulness when hearing their patients. This attentive listening encouraged clients to share their ideas, feelings and sensations openly.
Sharing examples of his use of contemplative psychotherapy in practice, he explained the process of paying attention with a friendly attitude to just what was going on with a variety of various clients. The therapy helped clients familiarize themselves with their very own thought-patterns and begin observing their very own life experiences with detachment.
When it came to teenage substance abuse, he made clients aware of their own energy patterns and thoughts. Therapy might include teaching mindfulness and tracking skills to clients and their family. When it came to substance abuse, contemplative therapy helped people notice when they were getting cravings instead of automatically capitulating to them.
Discussing anger management in adolescents, he talked about how mindfulness was a beneficial tool in helping struggling teens convert their temper into useful energy. In this form of psychotherapy, there is no attempt to purge an emotional state, but to collaborate with it, therefore progressively elevating emotional intelligence. Clients may in fact have knowledge about their circumstances, just not the capabilities to cope with their feelings.
Amazing things happen when Buddhism meets western therapy, the contemplative therapist is instrumental in restoring "peace of mind" in the client.
About the Author:
Lon Woodbury, the founder of Struggling Teens, has recorded the entire interview on his weekly L.A. Talk Radio show for people to listen to at their convenience.
