The approach to working with others that I would like to advocate is one in which spontaneity and humanness are extended to others, so that we can open to others and not compartmentalize our understanding of them. This means working first of all with our natural capacity for warmth.
- Chögyam Trungpa
- Chögyam Trungpa
Personal Background:
Before becoming a psychologist I taught with a traveling high school, exploring experiential approaches to education on the road with "at-risk"-labeled youth. The rapid transformation I witnessed in my students in response to consistent empathy and encouragement convinced me that with adequate support we all have the potential to thrive.
My long-standing interest in the meeting grounds of psychology, spirituality, and education has led me to work in eclectic settings as a teacher and therapist with children, adolescents, adults, elders, couples, and families. Having lived and worked in Russia, South America, and Nepal, I'm intrigued by how different cultures make sense of the world. I also find ongoing inspiration in the world's diverse wisdom traditions and am a student of Tibetan Buddhism.
Education:
Clinical Experience:
Teaching Experience:
Professional Presentations:
Professional Affiliations:
Before becoming a psychologist I taught with a traveling high school, exploring experiential approaches to education on the road with "at-risk"-labeled youth. The rapid transformation I witnessed in my students in response to consistent empathy and encouragement convinced me that with adequate support we all have the potential to thrive.
My long-standing interest in the meeting grounds of psychology, spirituality, and education has led me to work in eclectic settings as a teacher and therapist with children, adolescents, adults, elders, couples, and families. Having lived and worked in Russia, South America, and Nepal, I'm intrigued by how different cultures make sense of the world. I also find ongoing inspiration in the world's diverse wisdom traditions and am a student of Tibetan Buddhism.
Education:
- Licensed Psychologist: CA Lic. # PSY23889
- PsyD (Doctorate of Psychology): California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA; Transpersonal psychology
- EdM (Masters of Education): Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA; Experiential education
- BA (Bachelors of Arts): Georgetown University, Washington, DC; Russian literature
- High School: The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT
Clinical Experience:
- Community Institute for Psychotherapy, San Rafael, CA
- Pacific Institute AgeSong residential treatment facility for elders, San Francisco, CA
- Marin County Community Mental Health Services for youth and family, San Rafael, CA
- Walden House substance abuse residential treatment center for adolescents and adults, San Francisco, CA
- CIIS Psychological Services Center for adults, San Francisco, CA
Teaching Experience:
- Adjunct Assistant Professor: Counseling Psychology Department, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA
- Primary Academic Instructor: NAWA International Academy traveling high school, French Gulch, CA
- Extracurricular Coordinator: Edison Elementary Charter School, San Francisco, CA
- Assistant Instructor: Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Professional Presentations:
- "Conscious Aging," Vintage Golden Gate, San Francisco, CA, 2012
- "Conscious Aging and Conducting a Life Review," Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), Petaluma, CA, 2012
- “Open to Not Knowing: Holistic Approaches to Psychotherapy with Elders with Dementia,” Poetics of Aging Conference, San Francisco, CA, 2011
- "Integral Visions: Embodied Approaches to Non-Dual Experience," Science and Nonduality Conference, San Rafael, CA, 2011
- “Aging Matters: Humanistic and Transpersonal Approaches to Psychotherapy with Elders with Forgetfulness,” AgeSong Gerontology Wellness Training, San Francisco, CA, 2009
- "Qualitative-Humanistic Psychology in Diverse Academic Contexts: Educating the Next Generation," American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA, 2006
- “What Humanistic Psychology Means Today,” Council of Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychologies (CHTP) Early Career Network Annual Gathering," San Francisco, CA, 2005
- “Early Career Perspectives in Humanistic Psychology,” American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention, Washington, DC, 2005
- “Student Perspectives in Humanistic-Existential Psychology,” Council of Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychologies (CHTP) First Annual Symposium, Petaluma, CA, 2005
Professional Affiliations:
- Advisory Board Member: NAWA International Academy
- Member: Marin County Psychological Association (MCPA)
- Member: Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society
Copyright © 2011 · Matt Spalding
