Sara Weber, Ph.D.

Psychanalysis and Buddhism

• Buddhism
• Contemplative Practices
• Transitional Phenomenona
• Gardening

Weber, S.L. (2015) A clinical encounter: mind without walls. In Hoffer, A. (ed.) Freud and the Buddha: The Couch and the Cushion . Karnac, London.

Weber, S.L. (2006),  Doubt, arrogance and humility.  Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 42(2), 213-223.  Presented as a response to Safran, J.,  Before the ass has gone the horse has already arrived. At the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center, New York City, November 13, 2004.

Weber, S. L. (2008). Darth mader; The dark mother.  Presented at the Second Joint International Conference (July 2002) sponsored by Adelphi Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, The Irish Forum for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, The Psychoanalytic Society of the NYU Postdoctoral Program, Toronto Society for Contemporary. Psychoanalysis and William Alanson White. Published in Deaths and Endings: Finality, Tranformations and New Beginnings. London, UK: Routledge, 2007.

Weber, S. L., (2003). An analyst’s surrender.  In Safran. J. (ed.), Buddhism and Psychoanalysis: An Unfolding Dialogue.  Boston: Wisdom Publications.  Presented at NYU Postdoctoral Program, 1999.

Weber, S.L. & Sackeim, H.A., (1984). Functional brain asymmetry in the regulation of emotion:  Some developmental considerations.  In Fox, N. & Davidson, R.(eds.), The Psychobiology of Affective Development.  Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum.

Weber, S.L., (1983). Facial Asymmetry in the Expression of Emotion in Infants.  Ph.D. Dissertation:  New York University.

Sackeim, H.A. & Weber, S.L. (1983), Functional brain asymmetry in the regulation of emotion:  Implications for bodily manifestations of stress.  In Goldberger, L. and Breznitz, S. (eds.),Handbook of Stress: Theoretical and Clinical Aspects.  Glencoe, Illinois: Free Press. 

Sara L. Weber, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Consultant at the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis.  She currently serves as Chair of the Contemplative Studies Project of NY, which she founded in as a continuing education program at NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis in 2007. This project addresses her major interest in the qualities of attention that engender a mental space where deep insight and profound knowing can arise. She has written about and teaches courses on Buddhism and psychoanalysis, runs meditation retreats for psychotherapists, and organizes study groups and programs on a myriad of contemplative practices. She has presented at several psychoanalytic conferences on the contribution of Buddhism to the psychoanalytic attitude, and as well at the Fire Lotus Temple of the Zen Mountain Monastery. 

Prior to launching the Contemplative Studies Project of NY she served as Chair of the Relational Interest Group at Postdoc from 1998 to 2006. The purpose of this group was to extend and explore members’ interests. Large and small conferences ensued: on the neurobiology of mind, group psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and Buddhism, sex therapy, and other topics. Papers were written, art advanced, and ideas for books hatched. Dr. Weber also served as faculty advisor to this same group from 2006 to 2010. 

A long-time child psychotherapist, she is faculty and clinical consultant at the Child and Adolescent Training Program of the William Alanson White Institute, where she teaches a case seminar and does clinical consulting with individual trainees. She has written about and presented on her child work as well, particularly exploring transitional and transformational space. 

She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1983 from the NYU Clinical Psychology Program, and her certificate from the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis in 1994. She was Chief Psychologist at the Bay Ridge branch of New Hope Guild from 1984 to 1993 after working there as a therapist for two years. She was Clinical Supervisor and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology Departments both of Teachers College, Columbia University, and of Adelphi University. 

She maintains a private practice in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, where she works psychotherapeutically with adults, children and couples, and does private clinical consulting with professionals in the field.