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I work as a clinical psychologist with expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy and the application of mindfulness and meditation to psychotherapy. I direct a mental health center in New York City where I see patients, lead workshops, and provide professional supervision. In 2010, I wrote a book on the application of mindfulness to city experiences: Urban Mindfulness: Cultivating Peace, Presence, and Purpose in the Middle of It All. In 2014, I co-wrote a book on love and relationships from a modern behavioral perspective, entitled ACT & RFT in Relationships. In fall 2020, I contributed to a playful gift box that incorporated mindfulness with the care of houseplants (i.e., Plantfulness).
Professionally, I enjoy giving workshops and teaching others about mindfulness, meditation, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I also strive to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in my work. Recently, I worked with researchers at NYU to add a mindfulness component to a well-established curriculum devoted to the promotion of critical consciousness in teachers. Currently, I serve as co-coordinator of the DEI Committee of the NYC-Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. We have developed programming to promote social justice for our members as well as our executive board. Perhaps due to my dedication to this work, I was voted to serve as President for NYC-ACBS in January 2022.
If you'd like to learn more about my practice, please contact me via my website.
Direct a local mental health center, specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness training for adults, teens, children, and couples. Provide psychotherapy and clinical supervision. Lead wellness programming and professional trainings for organizations.
Teach undergraduate courses in "Mindfulness and Meditation in Psychology" and "Culture, Ethnicity, and Mental Health." Taught graduate courses in "Evidence-Based Practice" and "Mindfulness and Meditation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy."
Lead workshops on evidence-based psychotherapy.
Supervise graduate students in the practice of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness.
Provide psychotherapy, lead professional workshops, and conduct clinical supervision. Coordinate monthly meeting of mental health professionals dedicated to the study and practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Provide on-line resources related to practicing mindfulness in the city. Offerings include a blog, reviews of meditation centers in NYC, and educational handouts.
Provide clinical supervision in cognitive-behavioral therapy to graduate students in training.
Provided psychotherapy and stress management, supervised graduate students in psychology, and trained professionals using cognitive-behavioral therapy, positive psychology, evidence-based treatment, and mindfulness-based approaches. Specialized in treating depression, anxiety, stress, and relationship issues.
Provided managment and leadership for mental health services on campus. Designed internal policies and procedures to reflect best practices, laws, and ethical guidelines. Provided psychotherapy, clinical supervision, outreach, and crisis intervention to a private college of 4,800 students.
Served as visiting assistant professor for the Psychology Department. Taught undergraduate classes in Abnormal Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Personality Psychology. Supervised graduate students in psychotherapy training. Provided counseling services through Counseling and Psychological Services.
Provided psychotherapy and emergency, on-call services to students. Consulted with professors and university administrators regarding campus mental health issues. Provided group supervision to fellow postdoctoral fellows.
Executive MBA program for independent physicians
Specialized in racial and ethnic issues in mental health
Conducted dissertation research related to cross-cultural differences in stress and coping
Majored in Japanese and Asian Studies
Kaplan, J. (2023, October 20). ACT Like You Mean It: A Concise and Experiential Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. CE Workshop as part of the Bhava Group, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2023, March 24). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Concise and Thorough Introduction. Presentation for CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. and Jeffries, D. (2023, February 28). When Love Hurts: Navigating Relationship Difficulties with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Presentation for NYC-ACBS, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2022, June 3). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: An Inhibitory Learning Approach. CE Workshop for the Ohio University Counseling Center.
Kaplan, J. (2022, May 24). A Crash Course in Psychotherapy. Presentation at Stuyvesant High School, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2022, January 13). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Concise & Thorough Introduction. Presentation at the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. & DeRocha, L. (2022, January 6, 13, & 20). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Workshop series for NYC-ACBS, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2021, December 9). Stress & Burnout & Resiliency. Presentation at Lenox Hill Hospital for Emergency Room Staff, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2020, April 13). The Next Wave: Building Resilience, Connection Across Differences, and a Values-Based Approach to Community Health and Well-being. Panelist for webinar sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools.
Kaplan, J. (2020, March 16). Resilience, Coping, and Parenting Strategies for Everyone During Uniquely Challenging Times. Panelist for webinar available here: https://myocdcare.com/coping/
Kaplan, J. (2020, January 23). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Introductory Workshop. Presentation at the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. & Chang, D. (2019, September 14). Buddhism and Social Justice. Presentation at the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. & Chang, D. (2018, August 17). Buddhism and Social Justice. Presentation at the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2017, December 14). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Introductory Workshop. Presentation at the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J., Desai, S., & de la Chesnaye, G. (2017, July 20). Psychotherapy and the Body: An Exploration of Contemplative Healing Approaches. Workshop conducted at MindfulNYU.
Kaplan, J. & Anders, C. (2016, December 8). Mindfulness + Difficult Emotions: Helping Ourselves and Our Children. Workshop conducted at Arts & Letters Public School, Brooklyn, New York.
Kaplan, J. (2016, October 18). Contemporary Applications of Mindfulness from a Buddhist Perspective: What We're Doing Right, What We're Doing Wrong, and Developing a Comprehensive Model to Help Our Patients. Grand Rounds presentation at Bronx Lebanon Hospital, Bronx, New York.
Dehan, A., Kanin, B., Kaplan, J., & Roth, S. (2016, April 2). Planning for Your Family's Future: What Happens When There is No Plan? Workshop conducted at the annual conference of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association of New York, Garden City, New York.
Kaplan, J. (2015, December 10). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Introductory Workshop. Presentation at the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2015, October 15). Mindful Parenting: How to Less Stressed and More Loving at Home. Workshop conducted at the Compass Charter School, Brooklyn, NY.
Kaplan, J. & MacDonald, J. (2015, October 5). A Brief (and Thorough) Introduction to Mindfulness. Workshop conducted at the Amazon Pop-Up Loft, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2015, August 8). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Couples: Present-focused processes. Workshop conducted as part of symposium "Mindfulness Theory and Practice: Childhood through End of Life" at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.
Kaplan, J. (2015, May 1 and 8). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Workshop conducted at Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2015, April 29). Mindful Parenting: How to Be Less Stressed and More Loving at Home. Workshop conducted at The Co-Op School, Brooklyn, NY.
Kaplan, J. and Levine, B. (2015, March 14). Mindful Parenting: How to Be Less Stressed and More Loving at Home. Workshop conducted at the New York Insight Meditation Center, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2015, September 18). Mindfulness in ACTion. Lecture presented to the NYC ACBS Study Group, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2014, August 29). Mindfulness: A Concise & Comprehensive Introduction. Workshop conducted at The Compass Charter School, Brooklyn, NY.
Kaplan, J. & Levine, B. (2014, June). Mindful Parenting: How to Be Less Stressed & More Loving at Home. Workshop conducted at The New School, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2014, May). Urban Mindfulness. City walking tours hosted by the Van Alen Institute, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2014, April). Mindful Parenting: How to Be Less Stressed & More Loving at Home. Workshop conducted at The Co-Op School, Brooklyn, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2014, January). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Buddhism. Workshop presented as part of the mindfulness certification program of the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2013, October). A Brief Introduction to Mindfulness in Psychotherapy. Lecture presented to the psychiatric residents at New York University Hospital, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2013, April). A Brief Introduction to Mindfulness in Psychotherapy. Lecture presented to the social work students at New York University, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2012, November). A Concise and Thorough Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Lecture presented to the psychology interns and postdocs at New York University, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J., Brach, T., Forsyth, J., Guarna, J., Thompson, B., and Bolles, J. (2012, July). Dharma in ACTion: Why ACT needs Buddhism and Buddhism needs ACT. Panel discussion at World Con X, the annual ACBS convention in Washington, D.C.
Kaplan, J., Martin, N., Atkins, P., Temple, S., and Tirch, D. (2012, July). Buddhism and Functional Contextualism: Intersections of ACT and RFT with Contemplative Wisdom and Practice. Paper Symposium at World Con X, the annual ACBS convention in Washington, D.C.
Kaplan, J. and Neale, M. (2011, November). Approaches to Buddhism in Psychotherapy: Insight through Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. Class presented to The Interdependence Project, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2011, October). Mindfulness in Psychotherapy. Invited presentations via Skype given as part of Evidence-based Treatment class in Psychology Department at DePaul University, Chicago, IL.
Kaplan, J. (2011, September). Mindfulness: The Basics. Inaugural address of the CUNY Mindfulness Lecture Series, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2011, September). Urban Mindfulness: Takin' It to the Streets. Class presented to The Interdependence Project, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2011, February). Urban Mindfulness: Contemporary Applications of Buddhism. Grand Rounds Presentation to Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2010, June). Buddhism and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Invited address to The Interdependence Project, New York, NY. Podcast available here: ACT and Buddhism.
Kaplan, J. (2010, June). Buddhism and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Invited address to The Interdependence Project, New York, NY. Podcast available here: CBT and Buddhism.
Sheppard, S., Forsyth, J., Anestis, J., Kaplan, J., Herbert, J., Gahm, G., Pearson, A. (2009, November). Alternative Treatment Delivery Systems: New Frontiers in Training, Dissemination, & Intervention. Panel Symposium at Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies annual conference, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2008, July and 2008, December). Mindfulness and meditation in cognitive behavioral therapy. Workshop presentation at American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2008, July). Integrative behavioral couples therapy. Series of case conference presentations at American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, New York, NY.
Kaplan, J. (2008, June). Panic disorder: What it is, why it happens, and how to overcome it. Podcast available through iTunes, The AICT Cognitive Therapy Podcast.
Kaplan, J. (2008, February). CBT for panic disorder. Invited presentation to the counseling center of Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn, NY.
Kaplan, J., Miller, J., & Montoya, J. (2008, January). Sculpting identities, painting assessments, and designing treatments: Working with student artists. Panel Presentation at the annual meeting of the New York City Counseling Center Association, New York, NY.
Barr, V., Gong-Guy, E., Kaplan, J., & Willingham, M. (2007, November). Show me the data: Thinking ahead about the data you will need to make your case. Panel presentation at the annual meeting of the Association of University and Counseling Center Directors, Indianapolis, IN.
Hijioka, S., Chang, D.F., Yoon, P., Berk, A., Suero, J., & Kaplan, J. (2006, August). Clients' Experiences of Cross-Racial Therapeutic Dyads: Recommendations for Therapists Working with Racially Different Clients. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Asian American Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.
Chang, D.F., Suero, J., Hijioka, S., Kaplan, J., Lopez, E., Berk, A., & Yoon, P. (2006, August). What's race got to do with it? Clients' subjective experiences of therapy with a racially-different therapist. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.
Kaplan, J. (2005, May). Integrating research and clinical practice. Invited address presented to graduate students at the Graduate Faculty of New School University, New York, NY.
Chun, C., Miwa, K., Quan, N., Ledford-Yang, T., & Kaplan, J. (2004, August). Deconstructing individualism and collectivism by ethnicity: A multi-level analysis. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, HI.
Kaplan, J. & Chang, D. (2001, August). Racial identities in psychotherapy: Interactions within Asian/White dyads. Interactive workshop presented at the annual meeting of the Asian American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
Helmer, G., Kaplan, J., & Bower, J.R. (2020). Plantfulness or How to Change Your Life with Plants. Laurence King Publishers: London, UK.
Kaplan, J. & Chang, D. (2016). Incorporating mindfulness into the session. Book chapter in Becoming Mindful: How to Use Mindfulness for Yourself and Your Patients. American Psychiatric Association Publishing: Arlington, VA.
Kaplan, J. (2014, February). When mindfulness training doesn’t work. Academy of Cognitive Therapy Newsletter.
Dahl, J., Stewart, I., Martell, C., and Kaplan, J. (2014, January). ACT and RFT in Relationships: Helping Clients Deepen Intimacy and Maintain Healthy Commitments Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Relational Frame Theory. Context Press: Oakland, CA.
Kaplan, J. (2012, November). Okay, got it. So I'm good to go, right? O: The Oprah Magazine.
Kaplan, J. (2010). Urban Mindfulness: Cultivating Peace, Presence, and Purpose in the Middle of It All. Oakland: New Harbinger. Available on-line here: Urban Mindfulness
Kaplan, J. (2010, September). Do you need an emotional makeover? O: The Oprah Magazine. Available on-line here: Oprah Quiz
Kaplan, J. (2009, Fall). Parenting your college-age students. Cognitive Therapy. Available on-line here: Parenting your college student.
Kaplan, J. (2009, Fall). Stress and stress management: Top 10 lies that we tell ourselves. Cognitive Therapy. Available on-line here: Stress Lies.
Kaplan, J. (2008, Fall). Couples therapy: Overcoming difficulties and strengthening relationships. Cognitive Therapy. Available on-line here: Couple Therapy
Kaplan, J. (2008, Summer). Don’t be a stranger: Outreach with international students. Asian American Psychologist.Available on-line here: International Students.
Kaplan, J. (2007, Fall). What the ^%#*@ is going on?: CBT for anger management. Cognitive Therapy.Available on-line here: Anger Management.
Kaplan, J. (2006, Summer/Fall). Mindfulness in cognitive behavioral therapy. In Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors Newsletter (Vol. 1, Issue 1).
Kaplan, J. (2000). Cultural fit in the stress and coping process: The coping strategies of English-speaking college students in the United States and Japan. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles.
Kaplan, J.& Sue, S. (1998). Ethnic psychology in the United States. In D. Halpern & A. Voiskounsky (Eds.), States of Mind: American and Post-Soviet Perspectives on Contemporary Issues in Psychology. London: Oxford University Press.
Kaplan, J.,Chang, D., Abe-Kim, J., Takeuchi, D. (1998). Ethnicity and mental health. In H. Friedman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Mental Health. San Diego: Academic Press.
President, New York City Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, 2023
President-Elect, New York City Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, 2022
Treasurer, New York City Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, 2018 - 2021
Member-At-Large, New York City Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, 2016 - 2018
Founding Fellow, New York City Cognitive Behavioral Association
Secretary/Historian, Asian American Psychological Association, 2008 - 2010
Editorial Board Member, American Journal of Community Psychology, 1996 - 2011
2014 Award Recipient, Part-Time Faculty Development Fund, New School for Public Engagement.
2007 Early Career Award, American Psychological Association, Division 17 Counseling Psychology
Awarded for "impressive contributions to the profession and helping students learn more about the mind-body connection.”
1999 Grant Recipient, National Institutes of Health & Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Kaplan, J. (2020, Spring). A $2 Lifeline: Astrology Apps Give a New Meaning to Universal Healthcare. Interview with Gina Escandon of Bitch Magazine. Available here: Astrology
Kaplan, J. (2017, March 8). How to Be Mindful on the Subway. Interview with David Gelles of The New York Times. Article available here: Subway Mindfulness.
Mindfulness in Relationships (2012, October). Interview with Dr. JoAnne Dahl on the show, ACT: Taking Hurt to Hope. Podcast available here: Intimacy & Mindfulness.
Urban Mindfulness (2011, November). Interview with Gina De La Chesnaye of Yoga City NYC. Transcript available here: UM in NYC.
America's Commute Starts Earlier and Ends Later (2011, October, 11). Interview with Franz Strasser of BBC News. Article available here: Stressful Commuting.
Urban Mindfulness (2011, May 11). Interview with Jo Davidson of Zentertainment Talk Radio.
Urban Mindfulness. (2011, February 21). Interview with anchor Phil Ponce of Chicago Tonight. Streaming video available here: UM on Chicago Tonight.
5 Ways to Keep Your Commute from Killing You. (2011, February 2). Interview with Jennifer Nelson, MSNBC contributor. Article available here: Mindful Commuting.
Urban Mindfulness. (2011, January 30). Interview with Tana Weingartner of NPR 91.7 in Cincinnati. MP3 available here: UM on NPR.
Pornography Addiction (2011, January 13). Interview with Chip Rowe of the Playboy Advisor Show).
Finding Peace in Big Cities. (2010, September 22). Interview on ABC News Now. Streaming video available here: UM on ABC.
Mindfulness and Meditation in Psychology, The New School for Public Engagement, Annually for the spring semesters of 2011 - 2023.
Parenting on the Path: A Systematic Approach to Integrating Buddhism and Family Life, Bija Yoga Studio, Spring 2012
Mindful Parenting Workshop Series, Bija Kids Yoga Studio, Fall, 2011
Buddhism and Psychology: Does East Meet West?, The Interdependence Project, Winter 2011
Culture, Ethnicity, and Mental Health, Undergraduate Psychology Course, New School University, Spring 2010
Mindfulness in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Graduate Psychology Course, New School University, Spring 2005
Evidence-Based Treatments, Graduate Psychology Course, New School University, Fall 2004
Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Undergraduate Psychology Course, Ohio University, Spring 2004
Abnormal Psychology, Undergraduate Psychology Course, Ohio University, Fall 2003 and Fall 2002
Personality Psychology, Undergraduate Psychology Course, Ohio University, Spring 2003
Licensed Psychologist, New York (#016142)
Diplomate, Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies
Certification in Critical Incident Stress Management (#210920157556)
Meditation Teacher, The Interdependence Project
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