What is Buddhist-Informed Psychotherapy?

Buddhist-informed psychotherapy is not about adopting particular beliefs or a spiritual framework. Rather, it draws on Buddhist understandings of the mind, emotions and human experience in ways that can complement contemporary psychotherapy.

At its heart are questions that are deeply relevant to therapy:

• Why do we suffer?

• How do our habitual patterns shape our lives?

• How do we relate to difficult emotions?

• How can we develop greater self-understanding and compassion?

• How can we live with more openness, wisdom and connection?

Buddhist psychology recognises that much of our distress comes not only from what happens to us, but also from how we relate to our experiences — our thoughts, emotions, fears, expectations and our attempts to control what cannot always be controlled.

These insights have many points of connection with contemporary psychotherapy, including approaches that explore mindfulness, acceptance, compassion, emotional awareness and personal meaning.

How Buddhist teachings inform my work as a psychologist

Over many years of meditation practice and study within Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Buddhist teachings have deeply influenced my understanding of the human mind, suffering, compassion and the process of transformation.

In my work as a psychologist, I draw on these perspectives alongside contemporary psychotherapy approaches when they feel relevant and meaningful for an individual. This is not a fixed model that is applied to every person, but rather one of the perspectives that informs my way of working.

Some clients come to therapy with an existing meditation practice or connection to Buddhist teachings and are looking for an approach that honours this important part of their life.

Others may not identify with Buddhism at all, but are drawn to exploring deeper questions about themselves, their relationships, their patterns of responding, their suffering, their values and how they want to live.

Buddhist-informed psychotherapy may involve exploring:

• awareness of thoughts, emotions and habitual patterns

• developing a kinder and more compassionate relationship with oneself

• understanding attachment, fear and ways we respond to difficulty

• working with change, uncertainty and loss

• cultivating presence and acceptance

• exploring meaning, values and a sense of purpose

The intention is not to eliminate difficult experiences, but to develop a different relationship with them — one that allows greater freedom, resilience and understanding.

A bridge between contemplative traditions and psychotherapy

My approach brings together many years of clinical experience as a psychologist with a longstanding personal practice of meditation and study.

I draw on Western psychological approaches, including existential psychotherapy, cognitive and emotion-focused approaches, alongside insights from Buddhist psychology and contemplative traditions.

For some people, therapy is a place to work with anxiety, depression, relationships, grief or life transitions. For others, it is also a place to explore deeper questions about identity, meaning, suffering, change and what it means to live a more authentic life.

Buddhist-informed psychotherapy offers a way of bringing together psychological healing with a deeper exploration of awareness, compassion and the human experience.

Who might this approach be helpful for?

This approach may be meaningful for people who:

• are interested in meditation, mindfulness or contemplative practice

• are exploring questions of meaning, purpose or personal growth

• feel caught in recurring patterns and want to understand themselves more deeply

• are navigating major life transitions, loss or change

• want to develop a kinder and more compassionate relationship with themselves

• are interested in integrating psychological therapy with their own spiritual or contemplative journey

You do not need to have a Buddhist background or meditation experience. Curiosity and openness are enough.

As with all therapy, the work begins with where each person is and what is most important for them at that time.