Influences from Naropa

Doug’s second Masters degree, from Naropa University, is in somatic psychology. This is a clinical degree that approaches mental health by including the body, movement and somatic expression. His education here provides the basis for an approach to living in an embodied way.

The Naropa approach integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational traditions, helping students know themselves more deeply and engage constructively with others. In addition to a culture of reflection, Doug was influenced by three strong teachers: Susan Aposhyan, Christine Caldwell and Mukara Meredith.

Susan Aposhyan

Susan Aposhyan developed Body-Mind Psychotherapy from her work in body-mind centering. Her unique approach looks at where developmental patterns, body systems and psychological constructs merge. Susan taught Doug to ask the question, “What supports the next stage of development?”

Christine Caldwell

Christine Caldwell is founder of Naropa’s Dance Movement Therapy program and developed the Moving Cycle, a unique approach to therapy with its roots in Gestalt. The Moving Cycle emphasizes the flow of therapy from basic awareness to creating new action. From Christine, Doug learned that a shift in perspective is not enough – one must act differently. Doug also had the privilege of being mentored by Christine as a teacher of basic counseling skills.

Mukara Meredith

Mukara Meredith, developer of Matrixworks, taught Doug about groups. She helped him develop and hone his sensitivity to how a group becomes more than just a collection of individuals, but a living system in and of itself.

Influences from Montana > Additional training and certifications >