Buddha Nurture 

Secular Buddhist therapy, as I practice it, is about offering a space based on the fundamental principles of Buddhist philosophy that have the potential to help all of us, no matter what our beliefs are.

Here are those fundamental principles.

At the core of Buddhist philosophy is a radical, hopeful observation: We don’t have to suffer nearly as much as we do.

Buddhism, like Stoic philosophy, sees that there are two types of pain in life: One is the inevitable pain that accompanies discomfort and loss that is simply part of life. The other is the much greater pain we cause ourselves in our struggle against this reality. And this is what we can work on together.

Everything in life arises in relation to conditions. ‘This being, that becomes’ . This is great news, because we have a lot of influence over the conditions we create for ourselves.

When we deeply accept the parts of life we can’t change, our struggles begin to ease. That frees us to focus on the conditions we can shape—our choices, our habits of mind, the ways we relate to ourselves and others. This is where real change becomes possible.

Therapy gives you space to notice these patterns with compassion. And sometimes that involves finding the strength to face up to painful life situations and make challenging decisions.

Together, we’ll cover whatever ground needs to be covered. We’ll explore what supports your well-being, what doesn’t, and how to create more of the conditions that help you flourish.

It’s not about rules or “shoulds.” It’s about discovering, through your own experience, what truly supports you—and learning to follow that.

Buddhism is about Balance - finding our own Middle Way

The Buddha realised that contentment comes from balance. For him, it was about finding a middle path between self-denial and self-gratification—both of which can keep us stuck in different kinds of suffering.

For each of us, balance will look different. Therapy offers a space to explore what feels steady and supportive for you right now, even if it isn’t “perfect.” These small steps can build the foundation for greater well-being and growth over time.

Buddhist teachings aren’t meant to be rules or moral tests. They’re most useful when we treat them as gentle invitations to notice what nurtures us, and to begin moving in that direction.