How is Reflective Meditation different from Psychotherapy?   

A Conversation between Nelly Kaufer & Linda Modaro

Sometimes meditators ask us how Reflective Meditation differs from psychotherapy, especially since we value our thoughts and emotions in Reflective Meditation.

The question engages me personally because I work as a ‘Buddhist informed psychotherapist.’ How I do psychotherapy differs from how I teach Reflective Meditation, but there are some overlaps. I was a meditation teacher before I trained to be a psychotherapist. My graduate program integrated Buddhism and psychotherapy, and throughout my career I’ve blended them. But too much blending of psychotherapy and meditation risks weakening the power of each. I’ve attempted to skillfully blend these two healing traditions, though making these distinctions always challenges me because of the many ways they overlap.

Right, each discipline addresses the challenges we face as mortal and vulnerable human beings, and our emotional and mental hurt and pain. And each discipline will blend in a variety of ways. Some psychotherapists might teach meditation in their sessions. Some meditation teachers will inquire about students’ personal issues.

We each take a more individualized and creative approach to integrating Buddhist psycholog and meditation, encouraging people to sift through different teachings and traditions and take what works for them.

Yes, in psychological terms that’s called differentiation.

Not unlike the Buddhist dictum to find a path, each for ourselves. Respecting autonomy and independence.

Also, we restrain ourselves from interpreting people’s meditation. Some psychotherapists do a great deal of interpretation. Though some psychotherapists do very little interpretation.

Of course, there will be exceptions and nuances to each of the distinctions we make.

This conversation is an excerpt from “Reflective Meditation: Cultivating Kindness & Curiosity in the Buddha’s Company” Precosity Press 2023