Shari M. Geller, PhD, is an author, clinical psychologist, and supervisor with a commitment to mindfulness practices and a passion for rhythm and drumming. Dr. Geller has been practicing mindfulness since 99 and weaves Buddhist philosophy and rhythm-based work into her life and clinical practice. She has been involved in researching, writing, and training in therapeutic presence as a foundational approach to optimizing health care and therapeutic relationships. Dr. Geller coauthored (with Leslie Greenberg) the book Therapeutic Presence: A Mindful Approach to Effective Therapy. She has released a companion CD on cultivating presence, with guided practices using the healing power of music and the health benefits of mindfulness. In collaboration with the American Psychological Association she has also released a training video for therapeutic presence. Dr. Geller has a clinical and supervisory practice in Toronto and Grey-Bruce County. Her training with teachers and neuroscientists, along with her personal practice, inspired her to integrate the benefits of mindfulness, group drumming, and emotion-focused awareness into one comprehensive program, Therapeutic Rhythm and Mindfulness (TRM), to cultivate presence. Dr. Geller serves on the teaching faculty in health psychology at York University and for the Applied Mindfulness Meditation program at the University of Toronto, and she is adjunct professor in the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, in association with Music and Health Research Collaboratory. She is the codirector of the Centre for MindBody Health, offering mindfulness and compassion-based treatment and professional training.

• Foreword PrefaceIntroductionI. TheoryTherapeutic Presence: The Foundation for Effective TherapyHistory of Therapeutic PresenceNeurophysiology of Therapeutic PresenceII. Presence Skills in SessionPreparing for Presence Prior to SessionReceptively Attuning With Clients and OurselvesExtending, Responding, and Promoting Contact With ClientsBarriers and Challenges to PresenceIII. Presence Practices for Daily LifePreparing the Ground for Presence: Mindfulness and Experiential ExercisesStrengthening the Therapeutic Presence Process: Receptivity, Inward Attuning, Extending, and Contact ExercisesDeepening the Experience of Therapeutic Presence: Grounding, Immersion, Expansion, and Compassion ExercisesIV. Integrating In-Life and Therapeutic PresenceTherapeutic Relational Presence: Relationship as a Pathway to SpiritualityContinuing the Journey: Teaching and Expanding Therapeutic PresenceAppendix A: Additional Resources for Cultivating PresenceAppendix B: Markers of Therapists' PresenceAppendix C: Markers of Clients' SafetyAppendix D: A Model for Optimizing Presence in Your Therapy SessionReferencesIndexAbout the Author