I began my work as an Occupational Therapist in a psychiatric hospital in Detroit, MI., taught OT courses at Wayne State University and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and in 1976 I founded and directed Yahara House, a day treatment service for adults with chronic mental illness. I earned a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Vermont College of Norwich University, focusing on women’s psychology and mindfulness meditation, and began a psychotherapy practice in 1983. My style has been greatly influenced by many years of study with a variety of amazing teachers including, Dawna Markova, Dhyani Ywahoo, bell hooks, Pema Chodron, Sharon Salzberg, and Christina Feldman. I’ve learned the most, however, from my clients’ and students’ willingness to let me companion them in their healing process.
I’ve mentored over 5000 students on a range of mindfulness applications, and teach mindfulness to clinicians at the Department of Psychiatry and Continuing Education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. I’ve authored five journal articles and two audio podcasts, “Cultivating Mindfulness Through Insight Meditation”, and “Cultivating Mindfulness: Physical Pain and Difficult Emotions” and my book, “Unshakeable Confidence, the Freedom to be Our Authentic Selves: Mindfulness for Women”, available here.
I have two amazing children, four awesome grandchildren, and live in Madison WI with my wife Pam. I’m an avid bicyclist, a former track racing champion, and a devoted nature lover.
We’re All Connected
“Since we’re interdependent and we each matter, it’s our spiritual responsibility to learn how to create our own health and sustainable happiness. Doing this inner healing work is vital. It’s the most fundamental way we can each cultivate peace in our own lives and the world.”
If my approach resonates, please contact me!
Email here
Telephone: 608.338.8239
This book is like having a mindfulness teacher at your side. It is informative and insightful—chock-full of techniques, meditations, and reflections that guide you to the self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-confidence needed to be your authentic self. These are essential tools for all women.
Every so often a book comes along that has the potential to change your life…Unshakeable Confidence reflects the author’s profound understanding of the roots of women’s suffering and provides a wise and practical guide to rediscovering self-love. A pure gem of a book!
Good medicine for tending the heart and uplifting the spirit.
With kind expertise, Mare Chapman teaches mindfulness with an eye toward gender equity, guiding the reader toward more ease, empowerment and freedom. This special book is so needed for women, especially at this time!
Like Brené Brown, Mare Chapman offers inspiring insights on freeing the real ‘you’ who lives deep inside. Her wise words and exercises will give you the strength and courage to become your authentic self, no matter what life has thrown at you. Brilliant!
Unshakeable Confidence illuminates the cultural conditioning that adversely affects nearly all women—in body, mind, and spirit. Its reframing of codependence, learned helplessness, and relationship addiction as “othering” is groundbreaking. And, most importantly, it gives all of us precise instructions for how to come back home to our essential, healthy, confident selves. Every woman needs to know and practice what’s in these pages.
Highly recommended for any woman who feels stuck with insecurity.