My background includes ingredients you might not expect. For example, I was on a government task force after Hurricane Katrina. Besides the United States, I have worked on projects in Europe, Asia, and Africa. I sit on review boards of multiple academic journals related to the social sciences. I teach interactive learning courses for teachers, and masters-level courses in behavior, statistics, communications, and human development. My background includes life-long learning, self exploration, and experiential training throughout different stages of life, and my odyssey over a 25-year career is as follows:750-hour, five-times-a-week mindfulness and meditation training during a residency programThree years of intense yoga with Richard FreemanOne year of analysis with Fred Fleischer, a Jungian analystFour-year mentorship with Dr. Andrew Cherry (cognitive behaviorist)Four years of academic research with Drs. Chris Rice and Fred NewmanTwo years with Mary Naden studying the Alexander techniqueTwo years of classical acting at the Shakespeare theaterOne year specialized training within the federal governmentNumerous briefer stints with therapists from a variety of disciplines, including behavioral therapy, coaching, marital-couples work, an ongoing leaderless mindfulness group, including a marathon weekend wearing a mask. Note two aspects of my experience. First, the diversity of approaches incorporating both the mind and the body. It is important for me to avoid sectarianism and to gain an appreciation of the strengths of all the varying therapeutic approaches. I believe that there is no better way to learn than with experiential training. Hence, I have considered a period of discomfort in my life as an educational opportunity to explore what various techniques offer. Secondly, I have participated in experiential training at many different stages of my life.