For the past decade Nina La Rosa has offered mindfulness-based psychotherapy and mindfulness training at the University of Vermont, hospitals, schools, mental health agencies, retreats, and in the Vermont community.

Not just another psychotherapist dabbling in mindfulness, Nina has trained and practiced extensively in the user-friendly but industrial-strength approach of world-renowned Buddhist teacher, scholar, and neuroscience research consultant, Shinzen Young. She intimately understands the potential of mindfulness practice to transform the daily experience of self and world and is passionate about sharing the practical methods she uses herself.

With a history as an elite amateur athlete and coach, Nina understands the challenges individuals face in drawing forth peak performance and how cultivating mindful awareness can set up the right conditions for optimal flow.

Starting in 2009, Nina worked for five years in clinical neuroscience research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study how mindfulness training and cognitive behavioral therapy make brains healthier and contribute to psychological wellness.

Nina self-identifies as a mixed-race woman of color and is an award-winning social justice advocate. Her understanding of wellness is grounded in feminist and critical race theory and the impact of systems of oppression on health. These rich experiences inform her work.

In 2012, Nina began working in private practice offering mindfulness-based psychotherapy and meditation training in Burlington, VT. In 2016 she founded Stillpoint Center as a welcoming space for people from all backgrounds to come together in community to learn about, practice, and access resources related to mindfulness meditation.

See the links below for more information about Nina and her professional experience.

• MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Vermont (2012).

• BA in Psychology, University of Vermont (2007).

• National Certified Counselor (NCC), National Board for Certified Counselors (2012-present).

• Profile on Psychology Today.

• Adjunct Professor, University of Vermont Department of Nursing and Health Sciences.

• Clinician pioneering new mindfulness-based interventions for treatment of traumatic brain injury (see a video about this ongoing UVM College of Medicine research).

• Research Project Assistant, MindBody Medicine Clinic, UVM College of Medicine, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT (2009-2015).

• Unified Mindfulness Senior Facilitator, trained by Shinzen Young (2007-present). Listen to an awesome interview with Shinzen and ABC News/Nightline Anchor and author of “10% Happier”, Dan Harris.

• Mindfulness co-teacher with Dr. Arnold Kozak at Exquisite Mind, Burlington, VT (2008-2016).

• Training in equine-assisted mindfulness and psychotherapy with Healing Nature of Horses and nationally recognized certified equine-interaction professionals Chris Korben, LICSW and Susanne Haseman, LCMHC (2012-present).

Presentations and Publications

• La Rosa, N. D., (2014). Mindfulness Training for Stress Resilience. Presented at the annual meeting of the Vermont State Police ICAC Task Force, South Burlington, VT.

• La Rosa, N. D., (2011). Contemplative Mind in Society (Panel Member). Presented at the Maha Buddhist Teachers Council, Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY.

• Shin, R. Q., Smith, L. C., Goodrich, K. M., & La Rosa, N. D. (2011). Attending to diversity among CACREP master’s programs: A pilot study. The International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 33, 113-126.

• Perelman, H., Lieberman, G., Mantegna, J., Krauthamer, M., La Rosa, N. D., & Naylor, M.R. (2011). FMRI to Investigate the Effects of Pleasant Chill-Inducing Music on Acute Pain in Healthy Volunteers. Poster session presented at the 17th Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Québec City, Canada.