Richard Young, Ph.D.

Integral psychotherapy focuses on the development of higher consciousness through the various stages and encompasses both psychology and spirituality. The emphasis is on spiritual awakening and psychological growth.

Many people study counseling and psychology at some point in their lives, but a relatively small percentage ever become psychotherapists. Of those who do, many ...do not make it past a few years in the profession. This may be due to the fact that to be effective, you must first turn the tool on yourself, using the knowledge and insight you have gained from your study to plumb the depths of your own darkness and pain, before you can use that tool to help others. Indeed, psychology is but the framework for healing. The mechanism and the magic comes through a therapist who has thoroughly explored their own soul. That and a good therapy dog. Or two.

Many people study counseling and psychology at some point in their lives, but a relatively small percentage ever become psychotherapists. Of those who do, many ...do not make it past a few years in the profession. This may be due to the fact that to be effective, you must first turn the tool on yourself, using the knowledge and insight you have gained from your study to plumb the depths of your own darkness and pain, before you can use that tool to help others. Indeed, psychology is but the framework for healing. The mechanism and the magic comes through a therapist who has thoroughly explored their own soul. That and a good therapy dog. Or two.

This man right here- Richard Young PhD, a very good friend and what I like to call my spiritual psychologist- but he's that and so much more- by qualification a...nd in practice. We connected through cystic fibrosis and social media in 2009 when I started my campaign. IT took me the best part of ten years to start paying attention to his teachings and posts & while I was already embarking upon the journey of insight, I finally started to understand the experiences he was speaking of in 2018. I feel that my 'journey' of experiences through meditation and awakenings have been a much smoother transition with his help and understanding. IT can be a lonesome, perplexing, painful, arduous but oh so very, very worthy endeavour. It will test everything, shatter every belief, attachment and reveal the ugliest of truths- so it really helps to find someone who truly understands human nature, the mind, and has helped thousands of others in similar ways. We started speaking in 1-1 sessions in 2020 and it's one of the best decisions I ever made, while I did the healing part prior to these, what comes after can be just as perplexing. When it feels like no person can see and no words can describe, I can safely attest to the power of having someone help keep you on the straight and narrow and that's exactly what Richard has done for me. He helped me avoid all of the spiritual distractions, pitfalls, BS and common misconceptions. Allowing me to integrate my new experiences in the most grounding ways- not being flippant of mysticism (see Noun 1) or science- but showing me how to incorporate both effectively. Keeping me sober & grounded yet remaining open to love and channeled into that inter-connectedness that surrounds us. Now that my journey has come full circle in many ways, I am confident that it would've taken much longer without his help. Thanks for everything brother.

ADVICE TO YOUNG THERAPISTS: Nondual Awareness expresses itself outwardly as LOVE. This was one of the first lessons I learned as a psychotherapist. As I began t...o bring Aware Presence and a quieter mind from my meditation practice into the counseling session and throwing my carefully crafted treatment plans out the window, my clients began to heal (as did I). Today, when an intern asks me what they should do with a given client or situation, I often say something like, "Go in, be quiet, pay very close attention, and love them. That is the only 'technique' or 'treatment plan' you will ever need. And by the way, forget the DSM-5 and its hundreds of diagnostic labels. No one can be defined by such a limited understanding. Oh, and don't forget your therapy dog."

This man right here- Richard Young PhD, a very good friend and what I like to call my spiritual psychologist- but he's that and so much more- by qualification a...nd in practice. We connected through cystic fibrosis and social media in 2009 when I started my campaign. IT took me the best part of ten years to start paying attention to his teachings and posts & while I was already embarking upon the journey of insight, I finally started to understand the experiences he was speaking of in 2018. I feel that my 'journey' of experiences through meditation and awakenings have been a much smoother transition with his help and understanding. IT can be a lonesome, perplexing, painful, arduous but oh so very, very worthy endeavour. It will test everything, shatter every belief, attachment and reveal the ugliest of truths- so it really helps to find someone who truly understands human nature, the mind, and has helped thousands of others in similar ways. We started speaking in 1-1 sessions in 2020 and it's one of the best decisions I ever made, while I did the healing part prior to these, what comes after can be just as perplexing. When it feels like no person can see and no words can describe, I can safely attest to the power of having someone help keep you on the straight and narrow and that's exactly what Richard has done for me. He helped me avoid all of the spiritual distractions, pitfalls, BS and common misconceptions. Allowing me to integrate my new experiences in the most grounding ways- not being flippant of mysticism (see Noun 1) or science- but showing me how to incorporate both effectively. Keeping me sober & grounded yet remaining open to love and channeled into that inter-connectedness that surrounds us. Now that my journey has come full circle in many ways, I am confident that it would've taken much longer without his help. Thanks for everything brother.

ADVICE TO YOUNG THERAPISTS: Nondual Awareness expresses itself outwardly as LOVE. This was one of the first lessons I learned as a psychotherapist. As I began t...o bring Aware Presence and a quieter mind from my meditation practice into the counseling session and throwing my carefully crafted treatment plans out the window, my clients began to heal (as did I). Today, when an intern asks me what they should do with a given client or situation, I often say something like, "Go in, be quiet, pay very close attention, and love them. That is the only 'technique' or 'treatment plan' you will ever need. And by the way, forget the DSM-5 and its hundreds of diagnostic labels. No one can be defined by such a limited understanding. Oh, and don't forget your therapy dog."

Pain (emotional, physical, psychological) is an unavoidable yet transient aspect of human life. It comes and goes in various forms and intensities over the year...s. But suffering, or the psychological refusal of pain ("I don't want this," "I shouldn't have to feel this," "When will this end?" "Why me?"), is completely avoidable. The refusal to accept pain on it's own terms as a inevitable aspect of human life and experience degrades it from something transient and bearable to something endlessly and infinitely more painful. Most of us can handle pain, even intense pain, without too much threat to our psychological integrity. But no one can handle the endless suffering that results from the mind's refusal to accept pain. It can be seen that suffering is the mind's way of slowly destroying itself by refusing the healing and redemption of the acceptance of what is inevitable.

Pain (emotional, physical, psychological) is an unavoidable yet transient aspect of human life. It comes and goes in various forms and intensities over the year...s. But suffering, or the psychological refusal of pain ("I don't want this," "I shouldn't have to feel this," "When will this end?" "Why me?"), is completely avoidable. The refusal to accept pain on it's own terms as a inevitable aspect of human life and experience degrades it from something transient and bearable to something endlessly and infinitely more painful. Most of us can handle pain, even intense pain, without too much threat to our psychological integrity. But no one can handle the endless suffering that results from the mind's refusal to accept pain. It can be seen that suffering is the mind's way of slowly destroying itself by refusing the healing and redemption of the acceptance of what is inevitable.

It takes great insight to see how we are projecting our internal issues onto the external world of other people and events. It takes tremendous courage to dive ...into the abyss of our unconscious Shadow and expose our darkest dynamics and discover our greatest gifts. Few are those who are willing to try, let alone see this process through to integration. As an integral psychotherapist, I am always humbled and honored when someone asks me to accompany them on this journey. See more

It takes great insight to see how we are projecting our internal issues onto the external world of other people and events. It takes tremendous courage to dive ...into the abyss of our unconscious Shadow and expose our darkest dynamics and discover our greatest gifts. Few are those who are willing to try, let alone see this process through to integration. As an integral psychotherapist, I am always humbled and honored when someone asks me to accompany them on this journey. See more

I am not "awake." No one is. So stop thinking there is something special or esoteric I can say or do that will facillitate your spiritual journey. "Awakening" i...s just a concept, a creation of the mind that keeps ego consciousness and the illusion of separate selfhood in play. As long as it is believed that there is something missing in life, something that needs to be pursued to make one whole or "enlightened," then the mind is still in control. Just stop for a moment and breathe. Listen to an awesome piece of music, immerse yourself in nature for a few hours, read a good book, or have amazing sex. Then you will see what is real...what has been real all long. Like wearing white socks.

I am not "awake." No one is. So stop thinking there is something special or esoteric I can say or do that will facillitate your spiritual journey. "Awakening" i...s just a concept, a creation of the mind that keeps ego consciousness and the illusion of separate selfhood in play. As long as it is believed that there is something missing in life, something that needs to be pursued to make one whole or "enlightened," then the mind is still in control. Just stop for a moment and breathe. Listen to an awesome piece of music, immerse yourself in nature for a few hours, read a good book, or have amazing sex. Then you will see what is real...what has been real all long. Like wearing white socks.

Don't speak to me of politics, Or religion or any such thing; I don't understand your words, When I am reading your heart.... I just know the smell of rain Is always intoxicating; And the bursting flowers, Take my breath away.

Don't speak to me of politics, Or religion or any such thing; I don't understand your words, When I am reading your heart.... I just know the smell of rain Is always intoxicating; And the bursting flowers, Take my breath away.

Bang! The spiritual journey, with it's endless searching for something more or better, just drops away. You realize you never really traveled to the Far Country... like the Prodigal Son. It was just a dream, sometimes painful and sometimes exciting. You've been here at Home, asleep in your cosmic bed, all along. Deepening will continue but the searching is done. Chop wood, carry water, and pet Baxter. See more

Bang! The spiritual journey, with it's endless searching for something more or better, just drops away. You realize you never really traveled to the Far Country... like the Prodigal Son. It was just a dream, sometimes painful and sometimes exciting. You've been here at Home, asleep in your cosmic bed, all along. Deepening will continue but the searching is done. Chop wood, carry water, and pet Baxter. See more

SEEKERS AND KNOWERS There is an Aware Presence that can be directly experienced which transcends the need for mental stories and beliefs and reveals Itself as S...ource and Origin, One without a second, or God. Those who drink directly from these Living Waters KNOW that thoughts, ideas, stories, and beliefs are so much mental chatter, the mind's futile attempts to verbalize and understand the underlying Silence from which mind itself arises. In this matter, there are Seekers and there are Knowers. Seekers natter on about truth and rely on unproven beliefs, a form of wishful thinking. This can certainly be useful if it keeps them oriented in the right direction (inward) and motivates their desire to deepen their self-inquiry. Knowers, on the other hand, rely on the direct experience of inner Silence and find belief no longer necessary and a bit quaint. P.S. Knowers know each other at a glance. No words are necessary.

SEEKERS AND KNOWERS There is an Aware Presence that can be directly experienced which transcends the need for mental stories and beliefs and reveals Itself as S...ource and Origin, One without a second, or God. Those who drink directly from these Living Waters KNOW that thoughts, ideas, stories, and beliefs are so much mental chatter, the mind's futile attempts to verbalize and understand the underlying Silence from which mind itself arises. In this matter, there are Seekers and there are Knowers. Seekers natter on about truth and rely on unproven beliefs, a form of wishful thinking. This can certainly be useful if it keeps them oriented in the right direction (inward) and motivates their desire to deepen their self-inquiry. Knowers, on the other hand, rely on the direct experience of inner Silence and find belief no longer necessary and a bit quaint. P.S. Knowers know each other at a glance. No words are necessary.

Five months old and 50 pounds, but Baxter still thinks he's a lap dog. #silverlabs

Five months old and 50 pounds, but Baxter still thinks he's a lap dog. #silverlabs

It is interesting that only the woke realize there is nothing special about being awake. It is actually the end of specialness. You've always been home. Chop wood, carry water.

Our minds are imprisoned by nothing more substantial than stories.

Advice for the Young: For a great and fulfilling life, don't set out to be rich and famous. Rather, set out to be kind and helpful, compassionate and forgiving.

Advice for the Young: For a great and fulfilling life, don't set out to be rich and famous. Rather, set out to be kind and helpful, compassionate and forgiving.

Feeling melancholy or depressed? For a time, try not asking yourself how you feel so often. Look outward at the miracles all around and marvel at the wonder of ...life. Spend some time in nature. Play with a young child. Go for a brisk walk. I know this sounds strange coming from a psychotherapist, but too much introspection can be a bad thing. See more

Everyone has a sad story to tell. Or many sad stories. Some are able to find a little hope or even transformation in them. Others are not, and are defeated and diminished by their sadness. Those are the ones I try to love and encourage.

THERAPISTS ARE BORN, NOT MADE I can teach young therapists how to perform various therapeutic techniques, but I have never been able to teach them intuition and compassion. These essential skills can be refined and increased, but they are inborn.

Advice to young therapists: Psychotherapy is more art than science, more presence than platitudes, and more passion than precision. Open your heart, remain pres...ent and responsive to the moment, and trust your intuition. That is when true healing can occur through your relationship with the client. But whatever you do, don't plan ahead, don't think too much, and don't take diagnosis seriously. Knowing a person's correct diagnosis never cured anyone. It only reduces them to a dehumanizing label that is useful for insurance reimbursement purposes--and nothing else. Your client is a person in pain. That is all you need to know. Oh, and forget most everything else they taught you in graduate school and find a good supervisor--preferably one who meditates.