In-Person and Online: Trauma and Self-Compassion Through the Lens of Buddhism and Psychology

Session 1 of the Beyond Therapy – Buddhism and Psychology series with Pilar Jennings

Tuesday, September 8th, 2026 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm ET
In-Person Location: New York Insight at 115 West 29th Street, 12th Floor

For more than half a century there’s been a growing interest in the relevance of Buddhist psychology and meditation to psychotherapeutic treatment. Carl Jung, along with Karen Horney, Nina Coltart, Erich Fromm and many other clinicians across clinical orientations, have made efforts to explore how a traditional psychotherapeutic approach to healing might be enhanced by a Buddhist understanding of suffering and its end.

In this opening talk, Dr. Pilar Jennings will examine how these contrasting traditions understand the roots of personal and collective suffering, and how their complementary though divergent methods offer increased opportunities for healing when used in tandem. Together we will explore the foundational concepts addressed in both Buddhist and psychotherapeutic teachings, including the nature self, identity, loss, and efforts at healing.

This is the first installment in our Beyond Therapy – Buddhism and Psychology series. Over four Tuesday evenings, Pilar Jennings, Paul Fulton, Sará King, and Mark Epstein will explore the possibilities, tensions, and challenges that arise when Buddhism and psychology meet. Learn more and register for other sessions (or the whole series) here.

Note: This program will be recorded. The recording will be sent to all registrants after the program, so please feel free to sign up even if you cannot join in real time.