Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. John Christopher, PhD – Psychotherapy, Mind-Body Medicine, Integrative Healing & Executive Coaching, Bozeman MT, NYC, MA,VT

What is your therapeutic approach?

Dr. Christopher offers a depth-oriented, integrative psychotherapy approach that bridges the wisdom of mind-body medicine, psychodynamic therapy, and contemplative traditions. Rooted in decades of academic study, clinical work, and global mindfulness practice, he supports individuals in exploring trauma, somatic symptoms, emotional distress, and existential questions. His approach is informed by Buddhist psychology, somatic psychotherapy, humanistic traditions, and attachment theory—all within a non-pathologizing, growth-focused framework.

What is mind-body medicine, and how does it support healing?

Mind-body medicine explores the intrinsic connection between mental and physical health. Dr. Christopher helps clients understand how emotions and stress are embedded in the body and can manifest through illness, tension, fatigue, or chronic symptoms. Sessions may include breathwork, mindfulness-based inquiry, somatic tracking, and therapeutic dialogue to restore emotional balance and physical well-being. Clients often experience greater clarity, emotional resilience, and embodied ease.

Do you offer spiritual or contemplative integration in therapy?

Yes. For those who desire it, Dr. Christopher offers therapy that honors and incorporates spiritual inquiry, contemplative practice, and existential exploration. This may include meditation, reflection on personal belief systems, or working through spiritual emergence or crises of meaning. While not affiliated with any one tradition, Dr. Christopher has deep familiarity with Buddhist psychology, depth psychology, and indigenous perspectives on healing. His work is rooted in respect for each person’s unique spiritual path and psychological unfolding.

How do I schedule an appointment?

You can reach out via the contact form on Dr. Christopher’s website to inquire about availability. He offers a complimentary consultation to determine whether his therapeutic style and expertise align with your needs. Appointments are available for residents of New York, Montana, Vermont, and Massachusetts, both in-person and virtually.

What is psychological counseling and therapy?

Psychological counseling is a collaborative, goal-oriented process focused on improving emotional well-being, resolving specific problems, and facilitating personal growth. In Dr. Christopher's practice, this includes addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship issues, chronic illness, and life transitions. Counseling may also support decision-making, self-understanding, and emotional clarity. Sessions provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for individuals to explore their inner experiences, develop coping strategies, and make meaningful change.

Can therapy help with chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, or medically unexplained symptoms?

Yes. Many individuals living with chronic illness or persistent health conditions experience not only physical pain, but also emotional exhaustion, grief, isolation, and confusion—especially when symptoms are poorly understood by the medical system. Dr. Christopher works at the intersection of psychology and physiology, supporting clients whose physical symptoms may have emotional or psychosomatic roots. Therapy can be a vital space to process the trauma of living in an unpredictable body, explore the emotional toll of medical uncertainty, and uncover how stress, perfectionism, or suppressed emotions may be contributing to physical distress. Dr. Christopher uses a gentle, integrative approach that honors the reality of your symptoms while also working to restore balance at the level of the nervous system, immune system, and emotional life.

What is the difference between mind-body therapy and traditional talk therapy?

Traditional talk therapy often emphasizes cognitive insight and verbal processing—working primarily with thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. While this can be highly effective, it may not fully address experiences held in the body or stored in the unconscious, especially when trauma or chronic stress are involved. Mind-body therapy, as practiced by Dr. John Christopher, integrates psychological inquiry with physiological awareness. This means exploring how emotional pain, attachment patterns, or unresolved trauma show up not just in your thoughts—but in your breath, posture, muscle tension, digestive patterns, and immune responses. Sessions may include somatic tracking, breathwork, guided reflection, or body-based mindfulness techniques.

What can I expect in a session?

Sessions with Dr. Christopher are spacious, reflective, and grounded in deep presence. You may explore emotions, patterns, somatic sensations, or questions of identity, purpose, or healing. The work unfolds at a pace that respects your nervous system and honors the organic rhythm of psychological transformation. Depending on your needs, sessions may include verbal inquiry, somatic tracking, breath awareness, guided reflection, or silent attunement. Over time, this process fosters a sense of internal spaciousness, emotional clarity, and renewed connection to life.

Do you offer spiritual or contemplative integration in therapy? Yes. For those who desire it, Dr. Christopher offers therapy that honors and incorporates spiritual inquiry, contemplative practice, and existential exploration. This may include meditation, reflection on personal belief systems, or working through spiritual emergence or crises of meaning. While not affiliated with any one tradition, Dr. Christopher has deep familiarity with Buddhist psychology, depth psychology, and indigenous perspectives on healing. His work is rooted in respect for each person’s unique spiritual path and psychological unfolding.

What types of therapy do you offer?

Dr. Christopher offers both short-term and long-term therapy tailored to the individual. Modalities include:

• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

• Somatic Psychology (including Focusing, Hakomi)

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

• Humanistic & Existential Therapy

• Attachment-Based Therapy

• Contemplative and Spiritual Integration

• Trauma-Informed Therapy Each approach is tailored to the client's needs and can be blended for a fully integrative healing experience.

Do you work with international leaders or high-level professionals?

Yes. Dr. Christopher has provided coaching and psychological consultation to global leaders, CEOs, executives, and high-profile individuals from various sectors. His work addresses burnout prevention, mindful leadership, resilience building, emotional intelligence, and values-based decision-making. He understands the unique stressors that accompany public roles, leadership pressure, and the demand for discretion. His coaching supports not only strategic effectiveness but also inner coherence, ethical leadership, and personal well-being.

What is international executive coaching and how is it different from therapy?

Executive coaching with Dr. Christopher is tailored for high-level professionals and leaders seeking support for performance enhancement, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. Coaching is distinct from therapy in that it emphasizes professional development, leadership presence, and goal-oriented work rather than treatment of mental health conditions. International clients benefit from John’s culturally informed approach, clinical depth, and commitment to confidentiality, especially when managing stressors at the intersection of identity, responsibility, and innovation.

What is mindful self-care, and why is it essential for professionals?

Mindful self-care refers to the intentional practice of tuning into one's emotional, physical, and relational needs with non-judgmental awareness. For professionals, this is not a luxury—it's a necessity. Chronic stress, hyper-productivity, and digital fatigue can erode resilience. Dr. Christopher teaches practical tools to help professionals reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and restore vitality. Practices may include mindfulness meditation, gentle movement, breathwork, or reflective inquiry designed to support sustainable high-functioning.

How can mindfulness enhance my professional or personal life?

Mindfulness enhances clarity, creativity, and presence—key qualities for anyone in a leadership or high-performance role. By learning to focus attention, cultivate emotional balance, and respond (rather than react) to stress, clients often experience improved communication, greater adaptability, and more meaningful relationships. John integrates secular mindfulness and meditative practice with clinical insight to help you remain grounded and attuned in the face of complexity and change.

What is your background in mindfulness?

Dr. Christopher has practiced and taught mindfulness for over 30 years, with training in India, Thailand, Mexico, Bali, and the U.S. He has taught Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), developed courses in mind-body medicine for graduate clinicians, and integrates somatic mindfulness into all aspects of his work. He has also published extensively on contemplative education, spiritual surrender, and the cultural roots of mindfulness practice.

Do you offer virtual sessions for therapy or coaching?

Yes. Dr. Christopher offers secure, HIPAA-compliant online sessions for clients across New York, Montana, Vermont, and Massachusetts. He also coaches clients internationally via video conferencing platforms. Online work maintains the depth and presence of in-person sessions, with the added benefit of accessibility and ease.

How do I know if your approach is right for me?

If you seek a thoughtful, integrative approach that respects your complexity and values personal growth, Dr. Christopher’s work may be a strong fit. Whether you're navigating emotional pain, a health challenge, professional burnout, or a spiritual reckoning, his therapeutic space invites deep reflection, nervous system regulation, and meaningful change. An initial consultation can help determine alignment and next steps.