Buddhist Psychotherapy

A rich resource enabling therapists to bring ancient Buddhist philosophy to modern psychotherapy. Mindfulness-based interventions have become popular treatments for psychological distress and mental illness, but these interventions are typically applied without knowledge of their early Buddhist origins. This book, written by two psychologists and an ordained Buddhist nun, examines the early Buddhist philosophical roots of mindfulness and provides a model for modern psychotherapy. In Buddhist psychotherapy, the therapist listens to a client discuss their concerns, considers how the clients suffering can be explained from a Buddhist worldview, and uses mindfulness to address the source of their suffering. This framework for understanding suffering is compatible with all religions and cultures. It does not rely on any specific belief about a deity, the creation of life, or an afterlife. Amply illustrated with quotes from early Buddhist literature as well as modern clinical examples, this rich volume will help modern psychotherapists deepen their understanding of mindfulness and enrich their practice to alleviate client suffering.