about

Buddhist psychology and mindful-awareness meditation have been an integral part of my life for over 20 years. They are where I find my roots. Daily practice is vital to my well-being.

Movement and somatic practices also play a significant role in my everyday experience. I am a certified yoga teacher and completed my 200-hour teacher training in 2008.

I initially turned towards these practices when I was in the middle of a deeply painful period in my life. I had experienced several significant losses and fell into a heavily depressed state. They literally saved my life.

Because of this, they remain an integral part of my daily practice and are at the core of my therapeutic orientation.

These practices eventually led me to a career in mental health and an MA degree in clinical psychology. I graduated from Antioch University in Santa Barbara, CA in 2007. Since then, I have been been refining my practice to integrate aspects of Buddhist and Western psychology.

I am therapeutically trained in humanistic psychology, somatic psychology, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, EMDR, attachment-based therapy, family systems, adoptions, and play therapy modalities. I find incredible value in each of these orientations and, depending on the needs of my clients, draw from each of them in my work. 

I have experience in group homes, community-based mental health programs, out-patient clinics, public schools, as a clinical supervisor, program manager, and as a therapist in private practice. I have been privileged to walk alongside many who are suffering.

Currently, I see clients in my private psychotherapy practice and provide contracted clinical supervision to both non-profit agencies and individuals in California.

My strongest influences include Carl Rogers, John Welwood, Carl Jung, Dan Siegel, Pat Ogden, Bruce Perry, Bessel van der Kolk, Stephen Porges, Doug Kraft, Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Sona, Ajahn Sucitto, and Bhante Vimalaramsi. 

I am a father, husband, artist, trail and road runner, mountain seeker, surfer, dog lover, and coffee drinker. 

“Integrative Contemplative psychotherapy utilizes aspects of somatic psychology, neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and humanistic modalities-all from a Buddhist perspective.”

— Bret Brown, LMFT,CYT