Aubrey is a UKCP trainee therapist* and a senior student of Core Process Psychotherapy in supervised training at the renowned Karuna Institute. Karuna provide experiential, in-depth training in Psychotherapy over four years, combining Buddhist and Western Psychology in an integrative, embodied, and mindful approach to psychotherapeutic practice.
Aubrey is a certified Mindfulness teacher trained by internationally renowned Dharma and Mindfulness teachers Martin Aylward and Mark Coleman. The Mindfulness Training Institute teacher training was one of the first to receive accreditation from the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA). Mark Coleman is the founder of Awake in the Wild.
Aubrey holds a PhD in Psychology from UCL and has worked for two decades in the field of mental health and social care research.
Aubrey is based in the SW of the UK, a beautiful place to roam and hike with two joyful orange dogs.
Aubrey's love of the Dharma and Mindfulness practices began in 2008 on a ten-day silent retreat in Nepal at Kopan Monastery. Aubrey has since been on more than 20 multi-day (3-10 day) retreats and is grateful to have had teachings from many wonderful beings, including Ajahn Sucitto, Martin Aylward, Thich Nhat Hahn, Rob Burbea, Zohar Lavie, Nathan Glyde, Catherine McGee, and Jaya Rudgard. Aubrey's teaching is profoundly influenced by these teachers.
Dr Aubrey Brand has a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from University College London (UCL) and has taught and researched in the field of mental health and wellbeing for two decades, working with men with a revolving-door relationship to prison, children in care and care leavers, and adults struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.
Mindfulness has been truly transformational for Aubrey, who is dedicated to sharing Mindfulness teachings and practices to help others to experience the greater ease, freedom, and aliveness that is possible for each of us: "It doesn't matter when you bloom, it just matters that you do."
Aubrey practices Qi Gong with Jaya Rudgard of Qi Mindful. Incorporating simple mindful movements in to Free Heart courses and workshops to energise the body helps those new to Mindfulness practice access bodily sensations.
"Aubrey's teaching style was gentle and friendly but also highly perceptive. The class was great fun to be a part of, although it felt there was real depth too. I'd certainly like to take another course with Aubrey. Aubrey's easy going manner belies a really strong grasp of Mindfulness and the Dharma. I found the practical teaching and techniques offered to be helpful and accessible yet also profound. The course was lightly held yet really insightful."