Other Adult Services
In addition to my work as a psychotherapist I also provide several other non-psychotherapeutic services.
In addition to my work as a psychotherapist I also provide several other non-psychotherapeutic services.
Mindfulness Training for Adults
If one or more of the benefits described at the bottom of the “Mindfulness” page are what you are looking for, then finding instruction in its practice is the next step. I offer individual instruction and coaching in mindfulness for adults, both in person and by phone. This can involve teaching a beginning client the basics all the way to coaching experienced mindfulness practitioners at the deepest levels of practice.
I provide both secular and spiritual styles of mindfulness instruction, depending on the interest and need of the client. I offer mindfulness coaching or instruction in person in San Rafael and Petaluma, and by phone.
Secular Applications of Mindfulness
Secular mindfulness focuses on the physical and psychological benefits mindfulness can catalyze. I work individually with beginners as well as seasoned practitioners. A beginner can expect to be introduced step by step to various mindfulness techniques, which, if practiced between sessions gradually develop into a deepening ability to attend to one’s ongoing, present moment experience in a relaxed, open, and equanimous manner.
For those who already have a well-established mindfulness practice, I offer the opportunity to refine the clarity and consistency of your practice leading to deepening insight. The practices and the choice of objects for mindful attention I teach to experienced students are tailored to the specific interests and needs of each person.
Mindfulness as a Spiritual Practice
Imagine that increasingly subtle layers of your experience, including some that you may not yet even be aware of, are being gradually peeled back, eventually revealing in direct experience the underlying ultimate nature of mind itself. This is the domain of mindfulness as a spiritual practice.
My own experience of mindfulness includes both its secular applications and its use as a deeply spiritual practice in the Buddhist tradition. This second style of mindfulness instruction that I offer draws on my 40+ years of Buddhist mindfulness or Vipassana practice, including my experience as a Theravadan Buddhist monk in Thailand and my many years of practice in the Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen and Mahamudra traditions. I am authorized as a teacher in several Buddhist lineages that use various styles of mindfulness as a central practice.
As with my coaching of secular mindfulness, I tailor my teaching of mindfulness as a spiritual practice to fit the practice level, interests, and motivations of those I work with. My special areas of interest and expertise are using mindfulness and deep concentration to cultivate an experiential understanding of the Buddha’s teaching of Dependent Origination, the uses of deep states of Samadhi (the jhanas) as a context for mindful inquiry and liberating insight into the nature of mind, as well as the exploration of subtle energy and its relationship to experiences of spontaneous imagery that may arise in practice.
If one or more of the benefits described at the bottom of the “Mindfulness” page are what you are looking for, then finding instruction in its practice is the next step. I offer individual instruction and coaching in mindfulness for adults, both in person and by phone. This can involve teaching a beginning client the basics all the way to coaching experienced mindfulness practitioners at the deepest levels of practice.
I provide both secular and spiritual styles of mindfulness instruction, depending on the interest and need of the client. I offer mindfulness coaching or instruction in person in San Rafael and Petaluma, and by phone.
Secular Applications of Mindfulness
Secular mindfulness focuses on the physical and psychological benefits mindfulness can catalyze. I work individually with beginners as well as seasoned practitioners. A beginner can expect to be introduced step by step to various mindfulness techniques, which, if practiced between sessions gradually develop into a deepening ability to attend to one’s ongoing, present moment experience in a relaxed, open, and equanimous manner.
For those who already have a well-established mindfulness practice, I offer the opportunity to refine the clarity and consistency of your practice leading to deepening insight. The practices and the choice of objects for mindful attention I teach to experienced students are tailored to the specific interests and needs of each person.
Mindfulness as a Spiritual Practice
Imagine that increasingly subtle layers of your experience, including some that you may not yet even be aware of, are being gradually peeled back, eventually revealing in direct experience the underlying ultimate nature of mind itself. This is the domain of mindfulness as a spiritual practice.
My own experience of mindfulness includes both its secular applications and its use as a deeply spiritual practice in the Buddhist tradition. This second style of mindfulness instruction that I offer draws on my 40+ years of Buddhist mindfulness or Vipassana practice, including my experience as a Theravadan Buddhist monk in Thailand and my many years of practice in the Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen and Mahamudra traditions. I am authorized as a teacher in several Buddhist lineages that use various styles of mindfulness as a central practice.
As with my coaching of secular mindfulness, I tailor my teaching of mindfulness as a spiritual practice to fit the practice level, interests, and motivations of those I work with. My special areas of interest and expertise are using mindfulness and deep concentration to cultivate an experiential understanding of the Buddha’s teaching of Dependent Origination, the uses of deep states of Samadhi (the jhanas) as a context for mindful inquiry and liberating insight into the nature of mind, as well as the exploration of subtle energy and its relationship to experiences of spontaneous imagery that may arise in practice.
Positive Psychology
In the U.S. when we think if psychotherapy, we tend to think in terms of the medical model. That is, when psychotherapy is utilized it’s because there is a problem. The problem may be behavioral, or it might involve a mood or emotional disorder or a cognitive distortion of some kind. The problem is codified as a diagnosis which has specific symptoms. The therapists treats the client for the diagnosis using techniques designed to address the behavior, emotional disorder, or cognitive distortion.
But psychotherapy has another very important use. These days we tend to refer to that use as Positive Psychology. When therapy involves a positive psychology approach, the therapist is working with a client whose life is generally going well. The techniques of Positive Psychology are used to help the client do even better. As defined by the Positive Psychology Center (https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/) this work grounded in
“the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.”
In short, Positive Psychology is designed to help people thrive in their lives. In my practice of psychotherapy I also offer a variety of Positive Psychology approaches to psychotherapy. These include mindfulness, forgiveness, gratitude, self-compassion, lovingkindness, emotional intelligence, and life review.
Of course, since Positive Psychology is not designed to address a mental health problem (though some Positive Psychology interventions are also used to treat psychiatric diagnoses, such as the use of mindfulness and self-compassion to treat depression and anxiety), it is not covered by medical insurance.
In the U.S. when we think if psychotherapy, we tend to think in terms of the medical model. That is, when psychotherapy is utilized it’s because there is a problem. The problem may be behavioral, or it might involve a mood or emotional disorder or a cognitive distortion of some kind. The problem is codified as a diagnosis which has specific symptoms. The therapists treats the client for the diagnosis using techniques designed to address the behavior, emotional disorder, or cognitive distortion.
But psychotherapy has another very important use. These days we tend to refer to that use as Positive Psychology. When therapy involves a positive psychology approach, the therapist is working with a client whose life is generally going well. The techniques of Positive Psychology are used to help the client do even better. As defined by the Positive Psychology Center (https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/) this work grounded in
“the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.”
In short, Positive Psychology is designed to help people thrive in their lives. In my practice of psychotherapy I also offer a variety of Positive Psychology approaches to psychotherapy. These include mindfulness, forgiveness, gratitude, self-compassion, lovingkindness, emotional intelligence, and life review.
Of course, since Positive Psychology is not designed to address a mental health problem (though some Positive Psychology interventions are also used to treat psychiatric diagnoses, such as the use of mindfulness and self-compassion to treat depression and anxiety), it is not covered by medical insurance.
Muk and Gary
Asian/American Couples Counseling
Is your relationship a mix of Asian and American cultures? If so, you and your partner, like me and mine, no doubt often encounter stress-creating fundamental differences in areas like parenting, managing money, and expressing emotional and physical intimacy. Culturally different communication styles and conflict resolution strategies often only compound these issues. Imagine how it would feel to conquer these challenges, leading to deeper connection, intimacy, and fulfillment in the process.
The counseling I offer for Asian/American couples is designed to help you through this process. I have been married to a lovely Thai woman named Muk for the past 21 years, and we've been together as a couple now for 27 years. During that time I've learned a lot about the joys and challenges of a cross-cultural relationship between a Thai and a "farang,” the Thai word for foreigner. I also understand Thai culture quite well, having lived in Thailand for over 13 years. During my time there I was a Buddhist monk for three years. I learned to speak Thai reasonably well, and subsequently worked for ten years in a refugee camp for an American organization with many Thai employees. I have a good understanding of the kinds of issues that can be challenging for Thai-American couples.
Although there are many differences between one Asian culture and another, I’ve found that they are more similar to each other than they are to American culture. As such, the lessons I’ve learned translate well to the challenges faced by couples bridging American culture and other Asian cultures.
The service I offer is couples counseling as opposed to marriage therapy. I focus on cultural, rather than psychological, issues. I am available to see couples in person in Petaluma and San Rafael or to provide counseling by phone or video call. Give me a call to see if this service is right for you.
If you are drawn to explore in these ways, I encourage you to give me a call. I offer guidance in person in San Rafael and Petaluma, as well as by video conference or phone.
Is your relationship a mix of Asian and American cultures? If so, you and your partner, like me and mine, no doubt often encounter stress-creating fundamental differences in areas like parenting, managing money, and expressing emotional and physical intimacy. Culturally different communication styles and conflict resolution strategies often only compound these issues. Imagine how it would feel to conquer these challenges, leading to deeper connection, intimacy, and fulfillment in the process.
The counseling I offer for Asian/American couples is designed to help you through this process. I have been married to a lovely Thai woman named Muk for the past 21 years, and we've been together as a couple now for 27 years. During that time I've learned a lot about the joys and challenges of a cross-cultural relationship between a Thai and a "farang,” the Thai word for foreigner. I also understand Thai culture quite well, having lived in Thailand for over 13 years. During my time there I was a Buddhist monk for three years. I learned to speak Thai reasonably well, and subsequently worked for ten years in a refugee camp for an American organization with many Thai employees. I have a good understanding of the kinds of issues that can be challenging for Thai-American couples.
Although there are many differences between one Asian culture and another, I’ve found that they are more similar to each other than they are to American culture. As such, the lessons I’ve learned translate well to the challenges faced by couples bridging American culture and other Asian cultures.
The service I offer is couples counseling as opposed to marriage therapy. I focus on cultural, rather than psychological, issues. I am available to see couples in person in Petaluma and San Rafael or to provide counseling by phone or video call. Give me a call to see if this service is right for you.
If you are drawn to explore in these ways, I encourage you to give me a call. I offer guidance in person in San Rafael and Petaluma, as well as by video conference or phone.