Richard W. Sears

Biography

Dr. Sears is a licensed psychologist in the state of Ohio (#6272). He is board certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), and a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology (FAACP). He is also a past president of the board of the Cincinnati Academy of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Sears runs a private psychology and consulting practice in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He was full-time faculty in Union Institute & University’s Doctor of Clinical Psychology program for 9 years, and is now affiliated faculty for the Union’s PsyD program and Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program. He is also Clinical Assistant Professor at Wright State University School of Professional Psychology, Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, Adjunct Assistant Professor for UC Psychology, and clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness. He is a psychologist contractor with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, where he is conducting research on MBCT for PTSD with Dr. Kate Chard. He is also working with Dr. Sian Cotton at the UC Center for Integrative Health and Wellness and with Dr. Melissa DelBello at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on projects involving the first studies of fMRI brain scans on the effects of mindfulness training for children and adolescents.

Dr. Sears received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Raj Soin College of Business, and received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He also received a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Buddhist Studies from Buddha Dharma University, where he is a member of the board of regents.

Dr. Sears is author of a number of books: Mindfulness: Living Through Challenges and Enriching Your Life in this Moment (Wiley-Blackwell); Consultation Skills for Mental Health Professionals (with Dr. John Rudisill and Dr. Carrie Mason-Sears, John Wiley & Sons); Mindfulness in Clinical Practice (with Dr. Robert Denton and Dr. Dennis Tirch, Professional Resource Press); Perspectives on Spirituality and Religion in Psychotherapy (with Dr. Alison Niblick, Professional Resource Press); and Building Competence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Transcripts and Insights for Working With Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Other Problems (Routledge Mental Health). His forthcoming books include Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (with Dr. Kathleen Chard, Wiley-Blackwell); The Resilient Mental Health Practice: Nourishing Your Business, Your Clients, and Yourself (with Dr. Jennifer Ossege, Routledge); Creating the Self: Perspectives from Science and Zen Buddhism (Palgrave MacMillan); Perspective and Hopes of Muslim American Women: The Paradox of Honor (with Dr. Tayeba Shaikh and Dr. Jennifer Ossege, Routledge); and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness (PESI Publishing).

In addition to his business, consultation, and clinical experience, he is a fifth degree black belt in Ninjutsu (receiving the warrior name Watoshi), a licensed private pilot, and received past certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. He once served as a personal protection agent for the Dalai Lama of Tibet with his teacher, Stephen Kinryu-Jien Hayes. He has studied the Eastern Wisdom traditions extensively (Buddhism, Zen, meditation, Tendai mikkyo, Vajrayana, etc.), receiving the ordination name of Jishou. He has received Bodhisattva ordination and authority to teach koans (inka) under Wonji Dharma in the Five Mountain Zen Order, and received ordination in the Vietnamese Zen tradition of Thich Thien An under Suhita Dharma.

Dr. Sears' website is www.psych-insights.com

Education

PhD, Buddha Dharma University, Kansas City, MO, USA, 2014
MBA, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USA, 2004
ABPP, American Board of Professional Psychology, 2008
PsyD, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USA, 2005

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Mindfulness, MBCT, MBCT-C, clinical psychology, zen, organizational consultation

Personal Interests

Flying, playing music, martial arts, spending time with family

Websites

• Richard Sears website

Books