Dennis Pearne, Ed. D.
Clinical Psychologist, Eastern Philosophy Teacher, Musician
Photo by Christopher Rowan
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Photograph by Samantha Marder
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My practice, Dr. Dennis Pearne, Clinical Psychologist, consists of two tracks. One is my work as a psychotherapist, and the other is my work as a teacher of Tao, a Chinese philosophy of finding balance through harmonizing with nature and natural processes. These two tracks may or may not intertwine, depending on each individual’s sense of themselves, and reasons for coming to see me.
From the beginning of our work, you and I look at the reasons you have come, and consider various paths. We will watch for how your psychological issues and/or spiritual concerns would be addressed and furthered with the ways that I can work with you.
Services
PsychotherapyIn my psychotherapy practice, I make use of 40 years’ experience in various specialties (see below), and I also work with people who “just don’t feel right,” people who have that existential empty feeling, and a longing or a seeking for meaning.
My areas of specialty are trauma, sexual and otherwise; PTSD, including combat veterans; LGBTQ sex therapy* and heterosexual sex therapy* with individuals and couples; exploration of the sexuality/spirituality split which so many of us have suffered from; archetypal psychology and therapy (Jungian orientation); “existential despair,” as described above; psychotherapy with writers, artists and musicians; and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy — see EAP page on this website. *given current understandings of blending and fluidity 
Photo by Lisa Griffis
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Tao Studies CenterThe Tao Studies Center is the non-profit institute for the other track of my practice. The Center is at the same location as my Psychology practice. My work is as a “teacher” or “facilitator” of the Tao. I use such words as “teacher” quite hesitantly, as Tao is all-encompassing and pan-faceted, with no beginning and no end, and also quite different for each individual seeker. So it seems to me that it is presumptuous to set myself apart in such a way as words like “teacher” imply. There are people who are Taoist Masters, but they are few and far between, and I am certainly not one of them.
However, I do share my decades of study and practice of Tao, and my understandings along that path, with newcomers, seekers, and followers of the Tao, to the best of my ability. The work is often fun and exhilarating. And some find Tao may also be the way for profound changes in their life-path. In my approach, working with Tao starts with gaining familiarity with the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (circa 500 BC), who, unwittingly and through a synchronistic series of events, found himself writing 81 poems which ultimately became the fundamental text of the Tao (according to legend). Simultaneous with this study, the student may explore Qi Gong, Tai Chi, the I Ching, Book of Changes, acupressure, kama sutra, and the fundamental understandings of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. You and I choose any of these areas together, based on what may be helpful for the reasons or hopes that you came with. Finally, there is a monthly group discussion and practice, where we 1) work with our own experiences through the lens of the Tao Te Ching; 2) throw a hexagram from the I Ching; and 3) finish with light exercise from Qi Gong and Tai Chi Basics. This group is stimulating and fun, and is also a good way to commune with others who are at all levels of exploring the Tao – or to just sit and listen. |
Musician
I am also a singer/songwriter in the acoustic folk realm; and a session musician on fretless bass, acoustic guitar, and harmonica; and a production consultant in the same sort of music.
If you want to learn about my music, there is a Folk Music page on this website where you can see a bit about my career, listen to cuts from CD’s, etc.
If you want to learn about my music, there is a Folk Music page on this website where you can see a bit about my career, listen to cuts from CD’s, etc.