Jamie Tushner

Background

About Jamie Tushner

I take a humanistic approach in my clinical work with children and adults by focusing on the subjective and unique experience of the individual. I seek to learn about their world; Not through a process of mere observation or analysis, but rather experiencing their world and entering into it with genuine respect, and free from judgment. My clinical interests center in mindfulness and the neuroscience of attachment. I began cultivating this understanding during my time spent studying at Oxford in the UK. Here I was able to immerse myself in the understanding of how our brains take shape and create connections as we connect with others in relationships. The brain is no longer in a fixed state as it was once assumed, and our “fate” is not deterministic on our upbringing. This is called neuroplasticity, which I regularly incorporate into therapy sessions to liberate individuals from the belief that their symptoms and feeling states are out of their control. One of most profound ways of developing new neuronal connections and a healthier mind state is to cultivate mindful awareness through meditation. In August 2014, I participated in my first 10-day silent Vipassana retreat, where 13 hours per day were spent meditating. This experience proved more challenging than ever imagined, however the reward was much, much greater than the challenge. I have found learning how to effectively silence the mind and being present in a non-judgmental way to be an invaluable tool for us all to acquire as we journey through life. I returned back to "serve" at Vipassana in October 2015 and had yet another enriching experience.