News and Events

6 tips for staying mentally healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Upcoming Events

  •  Dr. Sears will be leading an online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy cohort training through PESI starting in Feb 3rd, 2025. For details, visit the PESI website.
  • **ONLINE MINDFULNESS GROUPS NOW AVAILABLE!** Dr. Sears now offers an 8-week mindfulness program (MBCT/MBSR) online. Click here for details or to sign up.
  • MAILING LIST. Enter your email at the bottom of this page to be added to our mailing list, and we will send out information about new online offerings and upcoming live retreats (and you’ll receive free access to a video about 5 tips for dealing with stress using mindfulness).
  • Dr. Sears is collaborating with Alliance Integrative Medicine to do 8-session mindful stress reduction groups (based on MBSR and MBCT) at their location in Kenwood — 6400 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. For more information, or to register, call 513-791-5521. ***In-person groups are currently suspended due to COVID-19.***
  • Dr. Sears presents workshops and online courses on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Personality Disorders, Clinical Supervision, and other topics for PESI across the United States. For details and locations, visit www.pesi.com, and search under “Sears”.

  News

  • For a copy of the Cosmic Self meditation – click this link: CosmicSelf.
  • Dr. Sears is now licensed to do online video psychotherapy with the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) through PsyPact, Issued Oct 2024, #19978, in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
  • Richard recently was promoted to 7th degree black belt by his teachers Stephen K. Hayes and James Norris.
  • A recording is now available of a one-hour presentation Richard did on using mindfulness and acceptance to prevent stress and burnout:

    https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/fCyrUwtvJUz_cxqAklCw3q3tI66j1uQjVoYjk5BHi4qv77cGrPZCqjPxBoTC3Gil.bgiHpoaU9yUs_R_x?startTime=1725022842000

    To access the recording, use passcode: R=QS2=rF

  • Dr. Sears co-led a 5-day Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, October 6-11, 2024.
  • Richard’s latest work, The ACT Flip Chart, is now available. It is designed to be used as an aid for therapists and their clients to engage in the work of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, with the pages coated for processing the exercises with a dry erase marker.

  • Richard’s book Myths of Mindfulness is now available.
    “Mindfulness is a powerful tool for self-development, something I have been offering instruction in for 40 years now. But many misleading myths have arisen with its growing popularity. Some of these skewed beliefs have actually created harm. In this book, my good friend Dr. Richard Sears shines a clear light on the subject. He separates the facts from the myths. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the role of mindfulness as it relates to self-realization.” -Stephen K. Hayes, founder of To-Shin Do Ninja Martial Arts, Shugendo Dai-Sendatsu, author of The Complete Ninja Collection

 Geungsan Jishou Transmission

MBCTforPTSDcover

  • Richard signed a book contract with Routledge as second author of the book Group Therapy for Voice Hearers: A How-To Guide for Clinicians, which will be written with Dr. Andrea Lefebvre and Dr. Jennifer Ossege.
  • Richard gave talks at the Cincinnati Dharma Center on Sunday, September 3rd, 2017, and on Sunday, May 1st, 2016.
  • Richard hosted Zen retreats near Evansville, Indiana, May of 2017 and March of 2016.
  • Dr. Sears gave a talk at the Northern Hills Fellowship on Buddhism 101 on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Click on the link for the recording — Buddhism 101 talk.
  • Dr. Sears presented on mindfulness at the University of Cincinnati Integrative Medicine Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 23rd, 2016.
  • October 30-31, 2015, Dr. Sears co-led and presented at the Ohio Psychological Association’s Annual Union of Psychology and Spirituality Retreat.
  • Richard signed a book contract with Routledge as third author of a book called Perspectives and Hopes of Muslim American Women: The Paradox of Honor, which will be written with Dr. Tayeba Shaikh and Dr. Jennifer Ossege.
  • Dr. Sears gave a two day workshop on MBCT October 1st and 2nd, 2015, for MHS at the Mall of America Executive Center in Bloomington, MN.
  • Richard gave a talk on “Practicing Dharma in the 21st Century” at the Cincinnati Dharma Center on Sunday, October 4th, 2015.
  • Dr. Sears gave a 3-hour workshop on Mindfulness in Clinical Practice in Cincinnati for professionals on September 17, 2015, sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation.
  • Dr. Sears was interviewed by Live Happy Magazine – to listen, click here.
  • Dr. Sears presented a grand rounds at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (MSB 5051) on July 21, 2015, on “Mindfulness in Clinical Practice.”
  • Dr. Sears gave a public presentation on mindfulness in Cincinnati for NAMI Hamilton County on June 9, 2015. Download the ppts here.
  • Richard was interviewed by Routledge Mental Health about mindfulness. Click here to read the interview.
  • Richard was also interviewed by Elisha Goldstein about mindfulness and his ninja training. Click here to read his interview with Elisha.
  • Three of Richard’s new books, Mindfulness: Living through Challenges and Enriching your Life in this Moment, Perspectives on Spirituality and Religion in Psychotherapy (foreword by Ed Shafranske), and Building Competence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (foreword by Zindel Segal) are now available on Amazon.com
  • Dr. Sears spoke on mindfulness and holiday stress on December  15, 2014 at the NAMI Clermont County Family Support group meeting.
  • Dr. Sears presented on  preventing depression using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on November 15, 2014, at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute symposium on Conquering Depression.
  • Dr. Sears presented on mindfulness at the Northern Hills Fellowship – Unitarian Universalist, 460 Fleming Road, Cincinnati, OH , Sunday, Oct 26, 2014.
  • Dr. Sears presented a 7-hour Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Workshop at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention in Washington, DC, August 2014.
  • Dr. Sears was interviewed by Cheri Lawson about mindfulness on local NPR station WNKU. Click here for the audio.
  • Dr. Sears  presented in April 2014 on Mindfulness and Addictions in Evansville Indiana, with a public lecture and a professional workshop.
  • Dr. Sears presented at the Chaplains Association of Ohio Retreat, Thursday, April 3rd, 2014, at Hueston Woods Lodge (State park near Oxford, OH).
  • Dr. Sears is now Volunteer Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
  • On Monday, November 18, Dr. Sears gave a presentation to the Cincinnati Bar Association, “The Mindful Attorney: Reducing Stress & Enhancing Your Work.” For a link to the video, click here.
  • Dr. Sears gave a public lecture on mindfulness at Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
  • Dr. Sears is now clinical/research faculty at the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness, where he will be leading mindfulness groups for Clinicians, Cancer Patients, and Pain Patients.
  • Dr. Sears presented two Continuing Education Workshops for the 2013 American Psychological Association Convention in Honolulu in August 2013: “Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: An Introduction and Overview,” and “Building Quality Relationships with Technology in Teaching Psychology” (with Joy McGhee, Jennifer Ossege, & Jennifer Scott)
  • Dr. Sears gave a two-day workshop in Springfield, MO at Burrell Behavioral Health on “Mindfulness in Clinical Practice: Interventions for Clients and for Clinician Self-Care,” on April 12th and 13th, 2013.
  • Dr. Sears taught CBT and Mindfulness workshops for PESI/CMI Education in early 2013 in the Washington DC area, Colorado, Wyoming, and Wisconsin.
  • Dr. Sears presented “Coming to Our Senses: Using Mindfulness to Manage Stress” on March 2, 2013, at the Cincinnati Annual Blood Cancer Conference.
  • Dr. Sears was a panelist at ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGION IN PSYCHOTHERAPY – A 3 hour Dayton Area Psychological Association sponsored workshop on February 8th, 2013.
  • Dr. Sears presented on Mindfulness and Stress Reduction for the Alzheimer’s Association in Cincinnati on May 24, 2012 at 6:30pm.
  • Dr. Sears’ presentated on Mindfulness, Stress, and Yoga at Union Institute & University on May 16, 2012.
  • Dr. Sears is now a contributor to Unified Living.
  • Dr. Sears presented a 7 hour workshop on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy at the 2012 American Psychological Association Annual Convention on August 2nd in Orlando, Florida.
  • The new book (and CD) Mindfulness in Clinical Practice, by Sears, Tirch, and Denton, is available for purchase at Professional Resource Press and through Amazon.
  • Dr. Sears was featured on the cover of the Spring 2011 edition of Cincinnati Woman Magazine, and was interviewed about his Mindful Stress Reduction Courses.
  • Dr. Sears gave a public talk on Mindfulness and Self Care at the Milford Retreat Center in the Cincinnati area on Saturday, April 30, 2011.
  • Dr. Sears presented on Mindfulness for Geriatric Populations at the UK Summer Series on Aging in Lexington, KY on June 14, 2011.
  • Dr. Sears presented on Mindfulness and Tobacco Cessation on April 9, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio for the Breathing Association.
  • Richard received inka from Paul Dochong Lynch on March 25, 2011, which authorizes him to teach and conduct koan interviews.
  • Dr. Sears was a keynote speaker at a meeting for the Alzheimer’s Association in Cincinnati on November 12, 2010.  http://www.alz.org/cincinnati/
  • On May 21, 2010, following his performance for the opening of the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Indiana, award-winning cellist Michael Fitzpatrick performed in Cincinnati for the inauguration of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation, which is part of the PsyD Program at Union Institute & University. Fitzpatrick also previewed his film about the Dalai Lama and Thomas Merton, Compassion Rising. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said, “The emotion induced by Michael Fitzpatrick’s music is so powerful it seems almost verbalized. His music brings peace of mind – and deep feelings of peace.”The Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation is dedicated to researching and promoting the clinical uses of mindfulness and meditation to foster mental wellness in individuals, schools, and organizations. Mindfulness involves learning to pay attention to and wisely work with our thoughts, bodily sensations, and emotions to prevent stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Dr. Sears received ordination as a Zen Bodhisattva priest on March 28, 2010, from Paul Dochong Lynch, JDPSN at the Great Cloud Zen Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  • Dr. Sears and Dr. Frank Wood presented on Mindfulness and Tobacco Cessation on March 6, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Dr. Sears and Dr. Brian Denton presented a workshop on “Using Mindfulness in Your Professional and Personal Life” for the Dayton Area Psychological Association, November 6, 2009.
  • On October 16, 2009, Dr. Sears presented a brief workshop on Mindfulness and Non-Violence to Self as part of a Laughter and Peace event with Patrick Murphy Welage and Betty Finney. The program starts at 6pm at the ROC Conference Center, 969 Reading Road, Mason, Ohio.
  • On October 22, 2009, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Richard presented a workshop on Mindfulness in Clinical Practice at the Ohio Psychological Association annual convention in Columbus, Ohio.
  • Richard presented a workshop on mindfulness and dealing with difficult clients in Columbus, for the Ohio Psychological Association, on Friday July 31.
  • Richard presented a workshop for the Cincinnati Gestalt Institute on Mindfulness, Meditation, & Therapist Self-Care on Saturday, June 20, 2009.
  • Richard has been named Director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness and Meditation at Union Institute & University.
  • Richard presented on “Mindfulness and Therapist Self Care” on April 6, 2009 for the Cincinnati Academy of Professional Psychology.
  • Brian Denton and Richard Sears co-authored a book chapter on “Clinical Uses of Mindfulness” in the recently released book Innovations in Clinical Practice.
  • Richard presented with John Rudisill “Adding Consultation to Your Clinical Practice” for the Dayton Area Psychological Association on November 7, 2008.
  • Richard received his 5th degree black belt in To Shin Do in February of 2008, while traveling with Stephen K. Hayes in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal.
  • Richard attended a private luncheon with the Dalai Lama, Stephen Hayes, and John & Elaine Mellencamp in October of 2007. The Dalai Lama put forth that Western science and Eastern practitioners need to collaborate for research and dialogue.
  • Richard presented a seminar on Psychological Obstacles on the Spiritual Path at the World Congress on Psychology and Spirituality in Delhi, India in January of 2008. He then met up with Dr. Brian Denton, Dr. Kathy Joseph, and Stephen K. Hayes in Nepal in February.
  • Richard co-hosted a meditation and martial arts retreat from June 21 to June 24 for the Daiun-Ji Great Cloud Temple.
  • On February 4, 2007, Richard conducted a seminar on “Psychological Obstacles on the Spiritual Path” in Cincinnati, Ohio.