Rayna Epstein

Rayna is currently receiving her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Naropa University in the Contemplative Psychotherapy & Buddhist Psychology program, and will graduate in May 2025. Her program aims to integrate the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism and Western Psychology into a cohesive model for cultivating deeper compassion and intimacy with oneself and the world.

Rayna believes that all beings are innately whole, wise, interconnected, and loving. However, when we experience wounding in childhood and beyond, we begin to disown the parts of ourselves that we feel pain and shame around - storing these wounded parts deep within our shadows or unconscious. To keep ourselves safe from our shame and pain, we develop protective patterns in an attempt to have our core needs met (to be seen, heard, felt, loved, accepted, cared for, etc.). Unfortunately, these coping strategies (that may have protected us once before) often stop serving us, and can actually lead us to experience greater suffering in our present lives.

In collaboration with Rayna, you will work to develop a compassionate curiosity towards your pain, shame, and protective patterns. Rayna believes that there is inherent wisdom and brilliance behind even the most confusing or destructive patterns, and that through the process of bringing a compassionate awareness to the hurting parts within us, we can alchemize our pain and shame into purpose and power.

Rayna draws from attachment-oriented, psychodynamic, contemplative, and psychospiritual theories in her work with clients, as well as bringing in tools from her training as a yoga teacher and holistic health coach. Rayna works with children, adolescents, adults, and couples as they heal from many forms of suffering, such as complex trauma, eating disorders / disordered eating, addiction, depression,and anxiety.

In her free time, Rayna loves reading and writing in coffee shops, podcasting, practicing yoga, trail running, exploring new towns and restaurants, spending quality time with loved ones, and snuggling her three rescue dogs.

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Pronouns: she/her/hers

Supervisor: Dan Baur, MA, LPC-S