MacAndrew Jack
BA, Tufts University
MA, University of Tulsa
PhD, Temple University
LP
MacAndrew Jack is a member of the Department Leadership Team and a core faculty member of the department. He brings broad clinical experience and training in “Western” clinical psychology to his teaching and practice of contemplative psychotherapy. MacAndrew is a psychologist in private practice whose therapeutic training has included cognitive-behaviorally oriented psychotherapy, depth-oriented modern psychoanalytic psychotherapy, mind/body practices in medical settings, and psychotherapy in university and community clinics. MacAndrew also brings a background and interest in empirical science, including previous programs of research exploring psychophysiological processes involved in panic, breathing and the parasympathetic nervous system. Before coming to Naropa, MacAndrew was a clinical fellow at Harvard Medical School where he specialized in mind/body approaches to the treatment of anxiety, respiratory disorders and trauma.
Lauren Casalino, Chair
BA, Rutgers College
MA, Naropa University
LPC
Lauren Casalino has been a faculty member in the Contemplative Counseling Psychology Department since 1990. Lauren is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado. She has worked therapeutically since 1989, in both public and private settings, specializing in working with people in the midst of major transitions in their life, particularly dying, grieving and dealing with extreme states of mind. She is impassioned by the exploration of oneself within relationship.
Sherri L. Kimbell
BS, University of California, Berkeley
MA, Naropa University
LPC
Sherri Kimbell is a core faculty member on the Department Leadership Team in the Contemplative Counseling Psychology Department. Sherri has been a faculty member of the department since 2001 and is a licensed professional counselor in private practice. She is also a senior clinician with Windhorse Community Services, Inc. in Boulder, Colorado, which provides intensive home-based treatment for individuals recovering from psychosis. Specializing in diversity issues and working with members of the GLBTQ community, Sherri has a long history of social engagement and activism. She has been a meditation practitioner for twenty-five years, in both the Theravadan Vipassana and Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist traditions.
Karen Kissel Wegela
BA, University of Rochester
MA, Boston University
MA, University of Denver
PhD, Union Institute
LP
Karen Kissel Wegela is a member of the Department Leadership Team and has been a Naropa faculty member since 1981. Her master's degrees are in English language and literature and in counseling. A licensed psychologist in private practice since 1977, she also has been involved in work in the public sector and has worked with the staff of the Friendship House and at the Asian Pacific Center for Human Resources. She is the author of How to Be a Help Instead of a Nuisance. Karen has taught contemplative psychotherapy and Maitri programs in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and South America.
Adjunct Faculty
Julie K. Greene
BESc, University of Western Ontario
MBA, Harvard University
MA, Naropa University
LPC
Julie Greene is a licensed professional counselor in private practice working with adults and couples, focusing on developmental and relational issues and frequently using EMDR. She is a 1998 graduate of the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program at Naropa University, having previously worked as a mechanical engineer and business consultant. She is a facilitator and member of the Advisory Board of the Rocky Mountain EMDR Training Institute.
Kate Mazuy
BA, Colby College
MA, Naropa University
Kate Mazuy is a graduate of the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology Program at Naropa University. She is also a Certified Hakomi Therapist in private practice here in Boulder. Kate is also a staff and faculty member for Naropa's Wilderness Therapy master's program. Kate has done crisis work with the Mental Health Center of Boulder County and the Safehouse. She specializes in individual and group work for survivors of domestic violence.
Sandy Novak
BS, University of Wisconsin
MS, University of Wisconsin
Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, Denver University
MA, Naropa University
LPC
Sandy Novak brings her thirty years of teaching experience and fifteen years learning and teaching the Satir Family Therapy Model to Naropa. She holds master's degrees in education and counseling psychology and a certificate in family therapy as well as extensive additional trainings, including the two monthlong trainings with the International Satir Training Institute. She has been in private practice for fourteen years, specializing in the treatment of couples and trauma. She is a senior adjunct faculty member at Naropa University and founding faculty member of Avanta, the International Satir Family Therapy Network. She has taught Satir in Eastern Europe and North America. She currently teaches two first-year courses, Human Development and Family Process, and a third-year course, Therapeutic Relationships III.
Pat Patton
BA, Union University
MA, Naropa University
LPC
Pat Patton is a Colorado licensed professional counselor and an adjunct faculty member for the Union Institute in Ohio. In private practice, Pat's expertise in relationship issues has positioned her as a noted speaker/lecturer in the Denver/Boulder area.
Alexandra MacKay Shenpen BA, Naropa University
MA, Expressive Arts in Psychotherapy, Lesley College
PhD, The Creative Arts, The Union Institute
LPC, REAT
Alexandra MacKay Shenpen has been teaching in various capacities at Naropa since 1986. Some of the areas include the arts, psychology, meditation and Space Awareness or Maitri practice. In addition, she has held several clinical positions in the Boulder area, including an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment unit and Boulder County's inpatient eating disorders program.
Helena Cooper Unger
BA, Sheffield College of Education, England
MA, Naropa University
Helena Cooper Unger is a graduate of the Contemplative Psychotherapy program and is in private practice in Boulder. She has worked for the Dept. of Social Services, specializing in physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Her practice includes meditation, arbitration and custody evaluations, in which she has extensive training. She is currently president of the Boulder Interdisciplinary Committee on Child Custody Issues.
Robert Unger
MSW, Hunter College
PhD, University of Colorado
Bob Unger is a psychoanalyst in private practice specializing in group psychotherapy. He is on the faculty of the Colorado Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies and is a board member, fellow and frequent presenter in the American Group Psychotherapy Association. Bob specializes in group dynamics and leadership, particularly work involving conflict and aggression in the group setting. Bob is the adjunct member of the Department Leadership Team.
Francis Kaklauskas
BA, Rowan University
MA, Naropa University
Francis Kaklauskas graduated from Naropa University’s Contemplative psychology program in 1992, and is currently near completion of his doctorate in clinical psychology. He has been Adjunct Faculty at Naropa since 1998, and was the primary clinical contributor to United Learning three part video series, Hooked: The Addiction Trap. He has lectured nationally on topics including Buddhism and group psychotherapy, and the congruence of outcome and process research with clinical theory and technique.
Elizabeth Olson
BA, Naropa University
MSW, University of Washington
Elizabeth Olson completed her undergraduate degree in Dance Therapy at Naropa, received her MSW at the University of Washington, and completed a post graduate fellowship at University California, Berkeley. She is in the process of completing her dissertation on psychodynamic treatment of eating disorders for her doctorate degree in clinical psychology. She has worked in mental health positions from line staff to treatment leader, and is currently in private practice.
Jeff Price
BA, University of Connecticut
MA, Naropa University
Jeff Price is a 1997 graduate of the Contemplative Psychotherapy program and has been in private practice for nearly fifteen years. Jeff has held an adjunct faculty position in Contemplative Psychotherapy since 2001. Currently the president of the Colorado Group Psychotherapy Society, he specializes in group work, particularly with substance abusers.
Jane Bryant
BA, Psychology, University of Colorado
MA, Naropa University
Jane is a graduate of the Contemplative Psychotherapy program at Naropa and is currently an adjunct faculty member. She is also a senior member of Emergency Psychiatric Services at the Mental Health Center of Boulder County.
Sharon Conlin
BS, Nursing, University of Michigan
MA, Counseling, University of Colorado
Sharon Conlin has been practicing psychotherapy for more than twenty years. Prior to that, she worked as a nurse and taught nursing for fifteen years. Her clinical experience includes eight years with Boulder County Mental Health, four years in Auckland, New Zealand, and nine years private practice specializing in individual, couple and group psychotherapy.
Kathy Emery
BS, Education, Northern Illinois University
MA, Naropa University
Kathy Emery is currently an adjunct faculty member for the BA Contemplative Psychology Dept. as well for the MA Contemplative Psychotherapy program at Naropa University. Her clinical skills include training at the Gestalt Institute of Denver. Kathy has extensive experience working with others in private and public settings.
Steve Henne
BS, Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
MA, Naropa University
Steve Henne is a licensed professional counselor, a certified addiction counselor, senior level, and an approved domestic violence treatment provider. He leads a variety of groups in his private practice and for the Mental Health Center of Boulder County. Steven also has broad experience developing and leading Windhorse style teams. His practice includes anger and impulse issues, substance abuse and addiction, trauma and teen issues.
Susan Nimmanheminda
MSW, University of Denver PhD
Professional Certification, National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis.
Susan Nimmanheminda has been an adjunct faculty member in the Contemplative Psychotherapy Department since 1996, leading Group Process classes. Together with others, she is developing a model that integrates Buddhist mindfulness orientation and group dynamics principles. She has presented on Buddhism and groups at the American Group Psychotherapy Association annual meeting several times and co-authored an article on the subject.
Gil Shalit
BA, University of Rochester
MS, New York University
MA, Naropa University
Gil Shalit, MA, LPC, CAC III is a psychotherapist in private practice. He works with a diverse array of issues including trauma-resolution, addictions and integrating spiritual practice & psychotherapy. He is a graduate of Naropa's Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program, is a licensed psychotherapist, certified in EMDR, a certified gestalt therapist, certified addictions counselor (CAC III) and trained for 3 years in Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing. He has also been trained in the Diamond Approach (Diamond Heart) for the past 13 years and is currently in their Seminary/Teacher Training program. He works with adults, adolescents & couples in his private practice and has also provided consultation and clinical supervision for therapists and various agencies and hospitals in the Boulder/Denver area.
