Lucid Psychotherapy & Counselling
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    • James Weaver
    • Di Robertson
    • Michael Apathy
    • Selina Clare
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    • Addictions
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    • Borderline Personality Disorder
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      • Tibetan Buddhism
      • Theravadin Buddhism / Vispassana
      • Zen Buddhism
    • Stress & Anxiety
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    • Social / Climate Justice
  • ISTDP

Tibetan Buddhism

“Real devotion is an unbroken receptivity to the truth. Real devotion is rooted in an awed and reverent gratitude, but one that is lucid, grounded, and intelligent.” ― Sogyal Rinpoche

Tibetan Buddhist Psychotherapists and Counsellors in Sydney CBD, Australia
Tibetan Buddhism encompasses a wide range of Buddhist perspectives, including Hinayana (renunciation focused), Mahayana (focused on compassion and the Bodhisattava vow to aid all beings), and Vajrayana (the tantric practices focused on transforming negative states and energies into positive ones.) Like other forms of Buddhism, it has had a strong dialogue with Western psychology, psychotherapy, and counselling practices. In particular, many Tibetan Buddhist approaches share similarities with cognitive therapy in which unhelpful or unrealistic beliefs are challenged. The visualisation practices in Tantric Tibetan Buddhism have had a strong influence on the use of visualisation in Western transpersonal psychotherapy. 

What are the benefits of connecting Tibetan Buddhism and psychotherapy?

Tibetan Buddhism has a well developed psychology of the mind, and can be psychologically beneficial in it's emphasis on the cultivation of open hearted warmth, generosity, devotion, and compassion. However, like other forms of Buddhism, Western practitioners tend to bring their own biases and psychological issues to the way they understand and practice the teachings. 

One example is that practitioners who are not deeply grounded in their body, their identity, and their relationships may subtly dissociate from every day tangible reality, or from robust and direct interpersonal communication through a misunderstanding of the more otherworldly aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. For these practitioners psychotherapy can help reduce this split, and help bring them back to a fruitful path of spiritual development.

Our background as Buddhist psychotherapists

Michael Apathy and Selina Clare are qualified experienced psychotherapists in private practice in the Christchurch, New Zealand. Between us we have 26 years of experience practicing mindfulness and meditation, including numerous intensive retreats and five years of full time residential monastic-style training at Zen Mountain Monastery in upstate New York. 

Michael has a bachelor degree in religious studies, which gives him a broad understanding of the Buddhist and other religious traditions. Selina specialises as a psychotherapist using mindfulness based therapy to treat stress and anxiety. Both of us have undertaken many years of our own personal psychotherapy and personal and spiritual development. If you're interested in or engaged with Buddhism as a spiritual or religious path, then we'd love to work with you, so please get in touch.

Tibetan Buddhist Psychotherapists and Counsellors in Sydney CBD, Australia

Specialty Areas


Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)​
Online Therapy Sessions
Mindfulness Mentoring
​​Mindfulness for Stress and Anxiety

Online Booking


Book my first session.
If there are no bookable services showing via the online booking website, this means we currently have a waiting list for new clients. Please give us a call or email if you would like to add your name to it.

Lucid Psychotherapy and Counselling provides affordable and effective individual psychotherapy, counselling, Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), ecotherapy, treatment for depression, stress, panic and anxiety disorders, and mindfulness mentoring, servicing the area of Ōtautahi Christchurch, Hokitika, Māwhera Greymouth, West Coast, Aotearoa New Zealand. We also offer online therapy sessions. © 2015-2025 Lucid Psychotherapy & Counselling. All rights reserved.
Photo from Pai Shih
  • Home
  • About
    • James Weaver
    • Di Robertson
    • Michael Apathy
    • Selina Clare
    • Fees
  • Contact
  • Get Help With
    • Addictions
    • Dealing with Anger
    • Borderline Personality Disorder
    • Depression and despair
    • Eating Disorders
    • Relationship Difficulties
    • Sex and Sexuality
    • Spirituality >
      • Tibetan Buddhism
      • Theravadin Buddhism / Vispassana
      • Zen Buddhism
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Trauma and Abuse
    • Social / Climate Justice
  • ISTDP