Karen Kissel Wegela, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in the State of Colorado (Lic.#1592).  She has been a professor at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, for nearly 37 years and served as the department chair for 15 years.  She began working as a psychotherapist in private practice in 1977 and continues to see therapy clients now on a half-time basis.  She is the author of three books: How to Be a Help Instead of a Nuisance (Shambhala, 1996), reissued in 2011 as What Really Helps:  Using Mindfulness & Compassionate Presence to Help, Support, and Encourage Others;  The Courage to Be Present:  Buddhism, Psychotherapy, and the Awakening of Natural Wisdom (Shambhala, 2009);  and Contemplative Psychotherapy Essentials:  Enriching Your Practice with Buddhist Psychology (W. W. Norton, 2014).  She has been an invited speaker at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally.  She holds a B.A. from the University of Rochester (Major in English, 1967), an M.A. from Boston University (English Language & Literature, 1968), a second M.A. (Education:  Guidance & Counseling) from the University of Denver, and a Ph.D. from the Union Institute (Counseling, Psychology & Experiential Learning, 1977).