My name is Amita O’Toole.
I have studied Buddhism and psychotherapy to Masters level and I’ve been practising and studying Buddhism for over 30 years. For the past 20 years I have been combining these to create positive change in the lives of my clients.
About Me
My MA research explored how Buddhism and psychotherapy can work together, specifically in the treatment of depression.
I was awarded a distinction and this work became the foundation of my book “The Buddhist Way Through Depression”.
Since then I’ve worked with clients from Bermuda to Australia on all kinds of issues.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Work or relationship stress
- Sexual abuse
- Domestic violence
- Addictions
- Life purpose
- Spiritual issues
- Life change (e.g. divorce, bereavement, emigration, serious illness or accident)
- Abusive relationships
- Rape
- Dysfunctional sangha, religious organization or cult
- Forced marriage
- Political violence
Beyond Buddhist Therapy
My work as a Buddhist therapist has crystalized over time into something beyond therapy.
I now simply call myself a Buddhist teacher or guide.
I still work one to one with clients to help them navigate the reality in which they find themselves. While this typically includes personal challenges and working towards personal goals, often the wider context is a significant factor.
Social media, AI, changing political landscapes, changes in the economy and so on often have a dramatic impact on our experience, the world, and how one relates to the other.
To heal, achieve our goals or bring about significant change, I have found that we therefore need to work more broadly than therapy typically allows.
My work now stems from what I have come to call the Four Invitations to Compassion.
Contact me for a free initial consultation to find out whether this approach is right for you.