Alisa Dennis, Ph.D., discovered meditation through her study of metaphysics and ancient Christian mystical traditions. She practiced within the S.N. Goenka tradition of Vipassana, then studied mindfulness through the Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) at UCLA. She completed a multi-year, MBSR- training related to integrating contemplative practices into psychotherapy. Alisa also completed residential training in the Zen Soto tradition. Alisa values the unifying and integrating power of Insight practice and its capacity to re-connect us to our natural capacity to meet the moments of our lives with kindness, openness, and flexibility.

Alisa is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in the Los Angeles area. In addition to utilizing mindfulness-based therapy, Alisa incorporates the creative arts, including visual art, poetry, psychodrama, and sound. She offers mindfulness and self-compassion trainings at corporations and community-based organizations. Alisa is a teacher at Insight L.A., of Santa Monica, where she serves on the Teachers’ Council. She is in the current Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program and both assists and leads residential retreats and daylong programs.

Alisa has explored many other spiritual traditions. Her work with indigenous shamans has supported her development of a multi-dimensional consciousness and
has deepened and broadened the matrices through which she understands the nature of human existence. She can be reached at alisa@lotusgemtherapy.com.