معرفی
Dr. Francis Kaklauskas serves as the Director of the Graduate School of Counseling and Core Associate Professor at Naropa University, where he teaches in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with a Buddhism-Informed Contemplative Counseling Concentration. With over three decades of clinical experience, he has held diverse positions across the mental health field and currently leads the Existential/Humanistic doctorate program at Saybrook University while teaching at the University of Colorado.
His educational background includes:
- PsyD in Clinical Psychology with specialty in Organizational Consulting from Colorado School of Professional Psychology (2008)
- MA in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University (1992)
- BA in Literature/Creative Writing from Rowen University (1987)
Dr. Kaklauskas's research focuses on the intersection of Buddhist contemplative practices with Western psychotherapy, particularly in group settings. He has conducted 5-8 psychotherapy groups weekly for 30 years across various clinical contexts, exploring how mindfulness and existential approaches can be practically integrated into therapeutic work. His scholarship emphasizes multicultural competence and the pragmatic application of theory to real-world clinical practice, with particular attention to how diverse cultural backgrounds influence therapeutic processes.
His publication record shows a clear trajectory from foundational work in Buddhist approaches to psychotherapy toward increasingly sophisticated explorations of transpersonal psychology and evidence-based group practices. The consistent themes across his work include the integration of Eastern and Western psychological traditions, the importance of cultural context in therapy, and the development of practical frameworks that clinicians can implement in their daily work.
His notable recognitions include:
- Alonso Award for Excellence in Psychodynamic Group Theory (2020) from the American Group Psychotherapy Association
- Current presidency of The Society for Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy of the American Psychological Association
Dr. Kaklauskas has demonstrated remarkable versatility throughout his career, working in nearly every position within the mental health field from overnight staff in psychiatric residencies to leadership roles in graduate training programs. He has co-founded organizations including the Rocky Mountain Humanistic Counseling and Psychological Association and University Professor Press, both focused on creating humane, just, and inclusive mental health treatment and advocacy. His work consistently bridges academic scholarship with practical clinical applications, making significant contributions to the field of group psychotherapy and contemplative approaches to counseling.
