Business Details
41 Years
experience
Your Trusted Contemplative Psychologist in Santa Fe
Established by Carol J Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., our practice offers comprehensive psychotherapy services blending Western clinical methods with Buddhist meditation traditions. With over 35 years of experience in private practice, academic teaching, and leadership roles in behavioral health, we provide evidence-based tools for overcoming emotional distress and fostering personal growth. Our integrated approach combines Mindsight, CBT, trauma-focused therapy, and Dzogchen meditation techniques to address both immediate psychological challenges and deeper existential questions.Specializing in contemplative psychology, we help clients develop resilience through mindful awareness, radical acceptance, and compassionate self-inquiry. As a pioneer in merging Western therapeutic frameworks with Eastern spiritual practices, we offer tailored interventions for adults facing life transitions, chronic illness, and meditation-related obstacles while maintaining strict client confidentiality and ethical standards.
Services
Individual Psychotherapy
Mindfulness Training
Buddhist-Inspired Interventions
Trauma Recovery
Meditation Practice Support
Crisis Counseling
Life Transition Guidance
Chronic Illness Support
Compassion Development
Western Cultural Context Therapy
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We combine 35+ years of clinical psychology experience with 40 years of Buddhist meditation practice
- Our founder developed a nationally recognized outcomes tracking system for behavioral health programs
- We offer specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques for addiction prevention
- Our practice integrates Western therapeutic methods with traditional Tibetan meditation practices
- We specialize in addressing Western-centric personal challenges that hinder meditation progress
Services
Individual Psychotherapy
Our individual psychotherapy sessions integrate Western clinical approaches with traditional Buddhist meditation practices to address emotional distress and promote personal growth. With over 35 years of clinical experience, we employ evidence-based techniques including Mindsight, CBT, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. This specialized approach helps clients develop mindful awareness and compassionate self-inquiry to overcome chronic emotional patterns and life challenges.
Mindfulness Training
Our mindfulness training programs teach traditional Buddhist meditation techniques adapted for modern psychological applications. Drawing from four decades of personal meditation practice, we offer instruction in calm abiding and insight practices that reduce stress and improve emotional regulation. These techniques have been clinically demonstrated to help with depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit disorders through structured, accessible training programs.
Trauma Recovery
Our trauma recovery services combine trauma-focused therapy approaches with Buddhist-derived interventions to address deep emotional wounds. Using specialized techniques developed through 35 years of clinical practice, we help clients process painful experiences and develop resilience. This integrated approach effectively addresses both recent traumas and long-standing emotional patterns resulting from past experiences.
Meditation Practice Support
We provide specialized support for established meditators facing obstacles in their practice. Our programs address Western cultural factors that may hinder meditation progress, using clinically tested methods to overcome common challenges. With decades of personal meditation experience and formal retreat training, we offer expert guidance to help practitioners deepen their meditation practice while maintaining psychological balance.
Crisis Counseling
Our crisis counseling services provide immediate support for individuals experiencing acute emotional distress. Through a combination of stabilization techniques and compassionate guidance, we help clients navigate challenging life situations. Our approach integrates immediate intervention strategies with longer-term solutions to prevent recurrence, drawing from extensive clinical experience in behavioral health leadership roles.
People
Carol J Fitzpatrick
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Fitzpatrick holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan (1985) and has practiced for 35+ years. A dedicated Buddhist practitioner since 1976, she completed formal three-year meditation retreat training while maintaining active clinical practice.
Questions
How does contemplative psychology differ from traditional therapy?
Our approach uniquely integrates Western clinical methods with Buddhist meditation practices, emphasizing mindful awareness and compassionate self-inquiry alongside evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
What types of issues do you specialize in treating?
We specialize in emotional distress, trauma recovery, meditation practice challenges, life transitions, and cultural factors affecting mental well-being using integrated therapeutic approaches.
How do you incorporate Buddhist practices into therapy?
We use traditional meditation techniques like calm abiding and insight practices to develop mindful awareness, while maintaining strict adherence to clinical psychology ethical standards.
What qualifications do you bring to this practice?
Dr. Fitzpatrick holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology, 35+ years clinical experience, and 40 years Buddhist meditation practice including formal three-year retreat training.
