Faculty

Carla Clements, Chair
BA, Colorado State University
MEd, Colorado State University
PhD, University of Colorado

Dr. Carla Clements is trained in Gestalt and Reichian therapy and has maintained a private psychotherapy practice, specializing in treating trauma, since 1986. Her interests include research methodology, statistics, and the application of empirical data to the promotion of human growth and potential. An educator for over thirty years, her leadership in the transpersonal psychology field has illuminated issues in human growth and development and demonstrated the transformational healing nature of the human spirit.

Dale Asrael
BS, Northwestern University
Elementary and Secondary Education certificates, Notre Dame University (Canada)

Dale has taught in the field of contemplative education for more than twenty-five years. She taught K–12 students for many years at the Buddhist-inspired Vidya School in Boulder, Colorado. Dale is an Acharya (Senior Teacher) in the lineage of Naropa’s founder, Ven. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and the Sakyong, Mipham Rinpoche and an Upadhyaya (Buddhist minister). In addition to her teaching as core faculty at Naropa, she leads meditation retreats internationally and trains meditation instructors.

Deborah Bowman
BA, University of Kansas
PhD, The Union Institute

Dr. Deborah Bowman is a professor and founder of the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and the Wilderness Therapy programs at Naropa University. Deborah is a licensed psychologist and certified Gestalt therapist who has worked with individuals and groups for more than twenty years. She is a trainer with the Boulder Psychotherapy Institute offering post graduate education and supervision. Deborah was president of Boulder Graduate School, has worked for Boulder County Hospice, Boulder County Social Services and instructed with the National Outdoor Leadership School. She is co-author of When Your Spouse Comes Out, soon to be published by Haworth Press. 

Barbara Catbagan
BA, Colorado State University
MEd, Colorado State University

Barbara is an educator with more than twenty years of experience. She is the director of the Counseling Psychology concentration for the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology Department and teaches the department’s multicultural courses. Barbara’s background in diversity, multicultural education and social justice include having been the multicultural specialist for a large school district and her work as the director of the Human Rights Resource and Education Office for the city of Fort Collins. She is a certified mediator and consultant who has worked with groups throughout Colorado.

David Chernikoff
MDiv, Graduate Theological Union

MSW, University of Denver

David is a meditation teacher, psychotherapist and life & business coach. A founder of the Boulder College of Massage Therapy, he has worked in schools and colleges, hospices, mental health centers, training programs, meditation centers and private practice since 1972. He has studied and practiced numerous healing and therapeutic methods including Gestalt therapy, EMDR, Hakomi therapy, couples counseling, group work, dream work and journal writing. In addition to teaching in the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program at Naropa University, he is currently one of the guiding teachers of the Insight Meditation Community of Colorado and a senior faculty member of the Spiritual Eldering Institute. David also has a private practice in Boulder.

John Davis
BA, Wake Forest University
MA, University of Colorado, Boulder
PhD, University of Colorado, Boulder

John Davis is a professor and former chair of the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology Department at Naropa University. He is also the director of the low-residency MA in Transpersonal Psychology at Naropa. The author of The Diamond Approach: An Introduction to the Teaching of A.H. Almaas, John has also been published on the topics of transpersonal psychology, ecopsychology, wilderness rites of passage and research methods. Read John Davis’s article “We Keep Asking Ourselves: What is Transpersonal Psychology?” www.johnvdavis.com

Michael Franklin
BA, University of South Florida
MA, George Washington University
ATR-BC

Michael Franklin is the director of the Art Therapy program. Since 1982 he has both practiced and taught art therapy in various academic and clinical settings. He has lectured nationally and internationally, offering a wide range of research contributions to the field. As an artist, he actively pursues his work and continues to research the relationship between art therapy, yoga philosophy and meditation. He is currently a doctoral candidate with Lesley University.

Duey Freeman
BA, Loretta Heights College
MA, University of Northern Colorado
LPC

Duey Freeman has been in private practice since 1982. This practice consists of working with adults, children and families using a variety of modalities with the primary emphasis on Gestalt and equine work. Duey is the coordinator and teacher of all of the family/child classes and all of the Gestalt classes in the TCP program at Naropa University. He consults with and is the clinical supervisor at a very progressive Wilderness Therapy program in Colorado. He also consults at various schools and treatment programs throughout the state. Duey’s past experience includes teaching and acting as a school principal. He loves flying, skiing, anything outside and is an accomplished horseman.

Deb Piranian

Deb is director of the Wilderness Therapy concentration in the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology Department and has worked as a psychotherapist, in private practice, in a psych hospital and in wilderness therapy settings. She has been a consultant in leadership and team development for businesses and organizations. As a senior Outward Bound Course Director, Deb specialized in wilderness therapy and multinational mountaineering programs. She has more than twenty-five years of climbing experience.

Laurie Rugenstein
BM, Berklee College of Music
MMT (Master of Music Therapy), Southern Methodist University
MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified) with the National Certification Board for Music Therapists

Laurie Rugenstein is the founder and coordinator of the master’s degree program in music therapy at Naropa University. She is also serves as music therapist with Hospice of Boulder County and is an associate trainer in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. Laurie performs with local bands on fiddle, bass, conga drums, mandolin and vocals.

Sue Wallingford
BA, University of Kentucky

MA, The Naropa Institute

LPC, ATR-BC

Sue Wallingford has utilized art for healing in the mental health field for more than sixteen years. Her experience includes work in various psychiatric facilities, a prison, a home for abused children, a residential home for the developmentally disabled, Hospice and with the elderly. Currently Sue is in private practice offering counseling and art therapy services in the Boulder area, www.suewallingford.com. Her interests include life transitions and spiritual discernment and growth. Sue continues to be dedicated to the art making process and has exhibited her work throughout the Boulder-Denver area.

Adjunct Faculty