Jason Gruhl, MA

Jason is a full-time author and psychotherapist. His tenth published work comes out Fall 2025, a collaboration with Sharon Salzberg adapting her book Lovingkindness for children. Other books include Everything is Connected, Just a Thought, and a picture book collaboration with Matthieu Ricard, adapting his book, A Plea for the Animals, for children, all published by Shambhala Publications. He is also the Author and Co-Creator of The Fountain Tarot and The Fountain Tarot Journal.

Jason has been in private practice for over eight years, working primarily with adolescents and adults. His primary frameworks are Buddhist, Existential and Gestalt, incorporating strategies from other various modalities as needed (CBT, DBT, IFS, Attachment, Couples work, etc.).

Jason has been an educational consultant, teacher, administrator, and nonprofit leader with nearly two decades of experience with individuals and families challenged and enriched by Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities. His passion and effectiveness have been demonstrated in both public schools and in private settings, resulting in the founding and directing of The Joshua School in 2003, a first-of-its-kind school for children with ASD in Colorado, based on the blending of strong, evidence-based behavioral programming and tailored academic instruction.

He has been recognized by his peers and others as a thoughtful and intuitive leader, with a commitment to integrity and fidelity. Jason is known for his expertise in building strong and fulfilling organizational culture; innovative and exciting programs that address genuine needs; and authentic relationships with students, parents, staff, board members and the community. He has contributed greatly to the face of special education in Colorado. Through his work on the Colorado Department of Education’s Autism Task Force, he helped craft and guide the state’s definitions and quality indicators for all educators as they relate to the programming and outcomes for individuals with ASD, and with the Educational Committee for the Colorado Autism Commission for Senate Bill 08-163, he established the 10-year strategic plan for the state.

Jason received his MA in Counseling Psychology at Regis University in Denver, CO, and his BA in Psychology and English from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He has been teaching at Naropa University since 2022. Above all, Jason desires to make a difference in people’s lives, leaving them present to their greatness, and with the tools to bring that potential to life.

Jason currently lives with his affenpinscher, Sven, in Boulder and practices meditation daily. He enjoys: spirituality of all kinds, picture books, foreign languages, travel, piano and guitar, vegetarianism, and sci-fi and fantasy movies.