I am a doctoral student in Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, specializing in Vajrayana Buddhist practice and contemplative studies. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor integrating clinical psychology and Buddhist and Yogic approaches, I aim to identify and share the benefits and applicability of contemplative practices. After developing a mindfulness and yoga-based wellness curriculum, I trained Department of Public Health, Juvenile Justice, and Department of Social Services treatment providers on implementation. While working in South Asian Buddhist communities for two years developing programs to address substance use and mental health issues, I decided to return to graduate school to deepen my understanding of traditional Buddhist practices and their integration with the developing field of Contemplative Studies. My fieldwork will focus on contemporary Buddhist practices as they are practiced in South Asian Buddhist communities, and their relationship to cultural context and psychological wellbeing.
