Clinical psychologist Jim Hegarty has been awarded this year's research study award by the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists.
He will use the $6000 grant in July to attend a six-week course in Thailand entitled Cultivating Emotional Balance Teacher Training which marries modern psychology with non-religious meditation techniques.
The idea for the course came from talks between the Dalai Lama and neuroscientists and psychologists.
It would be good to view Buddhist techniques in a clinical way with scientific data to back them up, Dr Hegarty said.
The course is run by Dr Paul Ekman, a world authority on emotion, and Dr Alan Wallace, a renowned teacher of mindfulness and meditation techniques.
The only other New Zealand participant in the course will be fellow psychologist Elizabeth Gutteridge, who works at the same practice.
Dr Hegarty said mindfulness techniques could help the worried, the bullied, and those unhappy at work.
