Development of Self and Mind: a Comparison of Buddhist and Western Psychology

2 Hours | 2 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on Development of Self and Mind: a Comparison of Buddhist and Western Psychology is presented by Mark D. Stauffer, PhD.

The integration of Buddhism into Western psychotherapy and counseling has had a positive impact on approaches to mental health. Buddhist traditions have historically rich philosophical and psychological tenet systems related to mental health and development. Mindfulness and meditation practices have been adopted in Western counseling and psychotherapy without much of the traditional process for examining the nature of self and mind.

Although the overall approach to problems and solutions in Buddhism and Western psychology may be different, some fundamental principles are shared by both disciplines. These principles include the importance of understanding the individual and their personal experience, the need for mindful and active engagement with the world around them, and the need to find ways to reduce suffering.

This program unpacks the Buddhist psychological and philosophical emphasis on the direct experience of self and "mind" and what that potentially holds for clinicians.