Buddhist Psychotherapy

Dr. Liang Tien (Tien) is a retired Professor from the California School of Professional Psychology PsyD Program – Hong Kong. Since retirement, she has earned a PhD in Buddhist Studies at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, and is a co-founder of the Illumination of Mindfulness Institute at Alliant International University. She is a long-time meditator. As a licensed clinical psychologist, her independent practice focuses on individuals with ancestry from Asian Buddhist-based countries and woman with histories of abuse. Her research interest has been in ethics and immigrant acculturation. Dr. Debra M. Kawahara is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Distinguished Professor at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University. She is the 2025 American Psychological Association President. As a licensed clinical psychologist, her independent practice focuses on psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and families, as well as consulting and conducting trainings to organizations. Further, Dr. Kawahara is a multicultural feminist scholar whose work centers on intersectionality, Buddhist psychotherapy, women’s issues, leadership, and the application of multicultural, feminist, and social justice principles in practice. She is widely published and has presented nationally and globally.Ven. Dhammadinna took robes in 1983 at the age of 25. From 1985 until 2006 she studied under several esteemed meditation teachers in Southeast Asia and India, namely Ven. U Pandita Sayadaw, Dipama Barua, Ajahn Buddhadasa, Ajahn Sumedho, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She began teaching retreats in 1989. In 2006 she accepted an invitation to return to the States and is a resident teacher at Bodhiheart Sangha Buddhist Meditation Center. Visit https://bodhiheart.wpcomstaging.com.

"Buddhist Psychotherapy is a treasure for anyone seeking to understand the true roots of Buddhist psychology. Bridging early Buddhist teachings with contemporary clinical practice, this book offers a deeply insightful and practical guide for therapists and practitioners alike." - Tara Brach, PhD, Author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion

• Prologue: Our Background and Interest in Linking Buddhism with PsychotherapyIntroduction: Linking Western Mindfulness to Early BuddhismPart I. Foundations of Buddhism and Buddhist PsychotherapyChapter 1. Background on the Buddha and Early Buddhist TextsChapter 2. Buddhist Psychotherapy Versus Buddhism the ReligionPart II. ImpermanenceChapter 3. ImpermanencePart III. Not-SelfChapter 4. The Five Aggregates: Component Parts of How Humans Experience ExistenceChapter 5. How the Five Aggregates Work TogetherChapter 6. How We Construct a Notion of a SelfPart IV. DukkhaChapter 7. Dukkha DefinedChapter 8. The First Dukkha: Suffering Due to Birth, Aging, and DeathChapter 9. The Second Dukkha: Suffering Due to Situational ChangeChapter 10. The Third Dukkha: Suffering Due to Mental FormationsChapter 11. The Fourth Dukkha: Suffering Due to the Notion of a SelfChapter 12. The Cause and Remedy of Dukkha: The Second and Third Noble TruthsPart V. Interventions and Clinical ImplicationsChapter 13. AssessmentChapter 14. Employing the First Track of the Eightfold Path in Psychotherapy: ConductChapter 15. Employing the Second Track of the Eightfold Path in Psychotherapy: MindfulnessChapter 16. Advanced Mindfulness in Psychotherapy: What to Contemplate in Meditation and WhyChapter 17. Employing the Third Track of the Eightfold Path in Psychotherapy: WisdomChapter 18. Three Arenas for Intervention in Buddhist Psychotherapy: A Model and Case ExamplesAfterword: Summary and Future DirectionsReferencesGlossary of Pali Terms