De Mello Institute

FRANCIS J PADINJAREKARA (P J Francis)

Dr. Francis J Padinjarekara is a Clinical Psychologist with more than 22 years of professional experience in psychotherapy, training and supervision, assessment, and spirituality.

He is also an international speaker and author who conducts workshops, seminars and courses in India, Ireland, UK and USA.

Having completed his doctoral training in Clinical Psychology at the School of Professional Psychology, Wright State University, USA followed by work experience in USA and post-doctoral training with special emphasis on psychopharmacology. He has undergone training and certification in a variety of approaches and interventions such as Focusing, Holotropic Breathwork, Enneagram, Eriksonian Hypnosis, EMDR(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Somatic Psychology, Victim Support Training, Human Sexuality. He has received broad training in somatic psychology and body-oriented approaches to healing such as Cranial-Sacral Therapy, Somato-Emotional Release, Braddock Body Process, Formative Psychology, Lomi Somatics ,  Bioenergentics, Gestalt Body Work and Bio-Psychology and incorporates them in his work with groups and individuals.

He has also explored the relationship between psychotherapy and spirituality and undergone extensive training in Eastern spirituality, particularly in the meditative approaches of Vipassana, Yoga and Zen. Other areas of special interest include mysticism, psychological dimensions of spirituality and the use of dreams and imagery in healing.

After his training in Clinical Psychology in the US, Francis returned to India in 1990 and succeeded his friend and mentor, Anthony de Mello as the Director of Sadhana Institute for the next 14 years. His professional work included individual and group psychotherapy, psychological assessments and the training and supervision of the students who attended the Integral Couselling Psychology (ICP) course, an innovative programme of a two year course of psychology and spirituality at the masters level which he pioneered.

Francis was visiting scholar at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana (2004-2006) and earlier scholar in residence at Marquette University, Milwaukee (1999). He is the author A DEWDROP IN THE OCEAN – Wisdom Stories for Turbulent Times which was published recently. Its companion volume, THE OCEAN IN THE DEWDROP, is expected to be released in early 2010.