Buddhist Counseling
“There is a pressing need for western psychotherapy to gain an accurate understanding of Buddhist therapy, and for Buddhist therapy to acquire scientific recognition. If it did so, it could rapidly become the major world-wide treatment for common mental disorder.”
The Buddha talked about suffering A LOT. His most famous teaching, the 4 Noble Truths, opens with “in life there is suffering.” I certainly can’t argue with that. The good news is that he went on to teach the source of suffering and the way to end it. In this context, the term suffering can also be taken to mean general stress or dis-ease. The modern world is filled with sources of stress and suffering, and many people have a hard time knowing what to do to relieve it. Sadly we often assume that we are the problem, when in fact suffering is universal and it’s not personal. Many Buddhists don’t consider Buddhism a religion, but rather a set of practices and principles to relieve suffering and move toward liberation. If that sounds good to you, read on…
What can Buddhist Counseling help with?
The short answer is any form of suffering. But to be more specific:
Working Towards Unconditional Happiness
Depression
Existential Issues
Focus
Meaning/Purpose
Difficult emotions
What are the potential benefits of Buddhist Counseling?
Healthier relationship to self
Greater sense of meaning and purpose in life
Greater level of self-awareness around thoughts and emotions
Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation response)
Increased body awareness
Increased ability to regulate emotions
Reduction in anxiety, fear, worry, stress, and rumination
Boosts to working memory and focus
Better sleep
Deeper sense of connection to others
What is Buddhist Counseling?
Buddhist Counseling is psychotherapy done through the lens of Buddhist philosophy and meditation. The biggest difference between Buddhist Counseling and Western Psychotherapy is that Buddhist philosophy does not pathologize any issue. All issues are seen as functions of the human condition, and can be addressed through traditional methods and practices. Other than that, it will feel a lot like going to any other therapist.
Meditation training is a key component of Buddhist Counseling. We will work together to find the meditation practice that most benefits you. As someone who has been meditating regularly since 2006, I have experienced a lot of the ups and downs and can help guide you through the challenges or obstacles that you may encounter. We will also focus on ways to bring the mindfulness that you develop in meditation into the rest of your day.
What Can I Expect from Buddhist Counseling?
You can expect sessions to contain:
New ways of understanding the mind
Ways to approach life more mindfully
Basic philosophical concepts from Buddhism
Specific meditation techniques
Mindfulness exercises
Strategies for interpersonal connection and relating
Guidance on the problems and challenges faced in a spiritual practice
Tools for dealing with emotions, thoughts, memories, and somatic symptoms
Begin Personal Buddhist Counseling in Asheville, NC
Buddhist Counseling can be useful for a variety of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, existential issues, substance abuse and more. If you are interested in counseling, let’s schedule a free consultation to discuss how I might be able to help. I truly believe that everyone can benefit from bringing these practices and philosophies into their lives. Sometimes, the individualized support of counseling can make all the difference in your world. Begin to take steps toward reducing suffering in your life today.
Other Mental Health Services Available at Strive On Counseling
As Asheville therapists, our clinicians understand that every individual has a unique set of mental health needs. Therefore, we offer many modes and forms of therapy. More specifically, our services include individual counseling for anxiety treatment, EMDR trauma therapy, counseling for addiction & substance use, therapy for family members of addicts and therapy for chronic pain and illness. Some other resources we offer include a list of books and other useful resources, as well as, information about CBT. If you would like more information about any of the mental health services at Strive On Counseling, please reach out today!