Santa Clara University

Come join the ECP Counseling Psychology Department in welcoming the renowned clinician Brad Sachs, Ph.D. who will be lecturing on the topic of adolescents and extended adolescence on April 25th at the Mayer Theatre.

1:30-3:00pm: Strategic Compassion: Systemic Psychological Treatment of Adolescent Anguish

3:00-4:00pm: Book signing and reception

4:00-5:30pm: Emptying the Nest: Family-Centered Therapy with Struggling Young Adults

Learn more about Brad Sachs' research, practice, and books from his website.

Save the Date: April 20, 2013

Are you considering applying to graduate school?

Find out how to unlock your potential and become a successful applicant in the fields of:
  • Teacher Education and Preparation
  • Professional Therapy, Counseling, and Psychology

Information presented will be applicable to graduate programs nationwide. This one-day conference will take place on Saturday, April 20th, 2013 on the beautiful and historic campus of Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California.

The conference will feature experts in the fields of Teacher Education and Preparation; Professional Therapy, Counseling, and Psychology; and Graduate Admissions. Presenters will be candid, upfront, and entertaining as they provide practical tips and insight into becoming a successful graduate school applicant and student. The day will conclude with an outdoor reception and allow for an invaluable opportunity to interact with other conference attendees.

After attending this conference, you will be able to:
  • Align your personal values, interests, and skills with your graduate school goals
  • Recognize the essential components of the graduate school application and process   
  • Analyze and improve your online persona
  • Evaluate the characteristics of a competitive graduate school candidate

This conference is intended for undergraduate students, second-career seekers, and others interested in the graduate school application process. You can view the conference program on our website.

Click here to register today! The registration fee is $30 and includes refreshments, lunch and a cocktail reception. Registration is limited, so please register early. Registration closes on Wednesday, April 17th at 11:59pm PST. If you are unable to attend in person, register to live-stream the day's program online for $10.

For more information, please contact Kelly Pjesky, Admissions Director, at kpjesky@scu.edu or 408-554-7884.

We hope to see you there!

Dale Larson, Ph.D. a professor in the Counseling Psychology department, talks with Radio New Zealand about end of life conversations.
>>Listen to the whole interview

March 26, 2013 was a historic day as the question of same-sex marriage went before the U.S. Supreme Court. Tuesday's opening public session was devoted to the California ban, Proposition 8, approved by voters.

Given the ongoing debate over marriage equality, NBC's Sam Brock talks with Nicholas Ladany, Ph.D., Dean of Santa Clara University's School of Education and Counseling Psychology, about research on the outcomes of same-sex parenting.

The most important thing of mindfullness and compassion is to continue to explore, with an open heart and mind, what mindfulness truly is, and help illuminate how it can be of greatest benefit. We clearly do not have all the answers yet; It would be interesting is to ask the questions. As Rilke said, “Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.”

The exploration of mindfulness requires great sensitivity and a range of methodological glasses. Our science—and our lives—will benefit by looking through all of them, illuminating the richness and complexity of mindfulness.

Read more >>

Nicholas Ladany, Ph.D. discussed ways to talk to your children about gun violence on ABC7's "Beyond the Headlines".

Talking to your kids about gun violence is a difficult conversation. Dean Nicholas Ladany, Ph. D discussed ways to talk to your children, no matter what age, about the painful realities of about gun violence. He defined the word “CLEAR” as a guidance to talk.

Calm yourself and then talk to children

Listen to them and not try to break in too soon

Emphasize and normalize with their behavioral or emotional reactions

Avoid too much exposure to news of the event

Do not over hype that it is likely to happen to us or others, as it is rare event

Dean Nick Ladany, Ph.D. on ABC >>

Location: Craneway Pavilion Conference Center OR Live Webcast. Shauna Shapiro will discuss on the “pro-social” effects of mindfulness on March 8, 2013.

Conference on March 8, 2013

This day-long conference will illuminate the connections between mindfulness and compassion, focusing on how mindfulness can deepen relationships, enhance caregiving, and build compassion. Will be webcast live! 6 CEUs.

Learning Objectives
Attendees will be able to:

• Understand the relationship between mindfulness and compassion, on a practical and psychological level, including the “pro-social” effects of mindfulness practice
• Practice research-tested techniques to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and self-compassion in everyday life
• Summarize key research findings that support the benefits of mindfulness and compassion, including self-compassion
• Explain what the most effective mindfulness and compassion programs are, why they work, and with what outcomes
• Identify best practices for promoting compassion and mindfulness in others, including students or clients they serve

Shauna Shapiro, PhD will discuss on the “pro-social” effects of mindfulness from 10:30 am.

Read more about the conference >>

Shauna Shapiro's "The Art and Science of Mindfulness" is now into Italian!

You can buy the book in English from here.

Jerrold Shapiro, Ph.D. recently answered the question of "Why don't things of satisfaction bother people anymore as they get older?" in the New York Times.

People get happier as they grow older. Or if not happier, why don't things bother them anymore?

Jerrold Shapiro, Ph.D. believe that as most people age, they become much more accepting of themselves. They also become more empathetic to others.

So what gives? If we are so gloomy, why do we sometimes seem so chipper? Well, when Pew surveyed more than 2,400 adults in 2008, it did find a lot of discontent, but that was when it asked people to do things like compare their standard of living with that of their parents or talk about keeping up with the cost of living.

When it comes to day-to-day irritants, it is often another matter, said Dr. Shapiro, who interviewed more than 200 baby boomers for his book “Finding Meaning, Facing Fears in the Autumn of Your Years.” “People seemed to be less aggravated by minor setbacks,” he said, “for example by not being able to get their kids to do something at a certain time.”

 Read more >>