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Dr. Marina Dorian is a core associate professor in the Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling Program. As an experienced psychologist, meditation instructor, and contemplative educator, she brings a wealth of expertise in clinical issues, mindfulness practice, and relationship dynamics to her teaching and research. Dr. Dorian earned her doctoral degree in clinical and community psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and previously served as a faculty member at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University.
With three decades of research experience, Dr. Dorian has extensively studied adult romantic relationships, both in the United States and internationally. Her work focuses on relationship satisfaction, the transition to parenthood, intimacy, stress and resilience, cultural influences, diversity, and mindful relating. She is also an active member of the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT), where she presents on topics related to complex trauma and strategies for ending interpersonal violence.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Dorian maintains a coaching practice dedicated to mindfulness and relationship enhancement. A dedicated meditation practitioner for over 20 years, she follows the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and serves as a facilitator in her local sangha. Dr. Dorian enjoys a variety of contemplative practices such as yoga, meditation, art, dance and connecting with nature.
PUBLICATIONS:
- Dorian, M. (2021). Mindful love: Buddhist and research perspectives. In Kaklauskas, F., Nimmanhedinda, S., Hoffman, L., Jack, M. S. & Perlstein, J. Eds. Brilliant Sanity: Buddhist approaches to psychotherapy and counseling, Volume 1: Revised and expanded edition.
- Dorian, M. & Kelly, L. (2018). Doing well and doing good: An Exploration of the role of mindfulness in the entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and evaluation process. New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, 20(2), 25–35.
- Dorian, M., & Killebrew, J. (2014). A study of mindfulness and self-care: A path to self-compassion for female therapists in training. Women and Therapy, 37:1–2, 155–163.
- Dorian, M. (2014). Family stress theories. Social History of American Families: An Encyclopedia. Sage Reference.
- Dorian, M. (2014). Systems theory. Social History of American Families: An Encyclopedia. Sage Reference.
- Ramirez, J., Hernandez, B., & Dorian, M., (2009). Mexican American caregivers’ coping efficacy: Associations with caregivers’ distress and positivity to their relatives with schizophrenia, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 4, 162–170.
- Dorian, M., Ramirez, J., Lopez, S., & Hernandez, B. (2008). Acceptance and expressed emotion in Mexican American caregivers of relatives with schizophrenia. Family Process, 47, 215–228
- Cordova, J. V., Scott, R. L., Dorian, M., Mirgain, S., Yaeger, D., & Groot, A. (2005). The marriage checkup: A motivational interviewing approach to the promotion of marital health with couples at-risk for relationship deterioration. Behavior Therapy. 36, 301–310.
- Dorian, M. & Cordova, J. V. (2004). Observing intimacy in couples’ interactions. Invited chapter in P. K. Kering & D. Baucom (Eds.), Couple observational coding systems. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
