John christopher, Ph.D

Individual Counseling & Mindfulness Training

Bozeman Montana | online virtual therapy

Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Somatic Psychotherapy & Mindfulness Training

Education:

  • PhD The University of Texas: Counseling Psychology (1992)

  • MEd Harvard: Counseling & Consulting Psychology (1987)

  • AB The University of Michigan: The Psychological & Philosophical Foundations of Culture (1984)

  • Interpersonal & Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

  • Focusing

  • Mindful Self-Compassion

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 

  • Biofeedback

John’s therapy approach includes: 

  • Interpersonal & Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

  • Focusing

  • Hakomi

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 

  • Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)

  • Well-being and Self-Care Support

  • Couples and Relationship Counseling 

  • Biofeedback  

Problems addressed in psychotherapy:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression 

  • OCD

  • Panic attacks

  • Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD

  • Pain, Chronic Disease, Medical Conditions 

  • Grief and Loss

  • Change of Life and Transitions

  • Identity Concerns

  • Self-Esteem

  • Stress

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • School/College Issues

  • Coping skills

  • Emotion Regulation Skills

  • Career

  • Men’s issues

  • Relationship Problems

  • Gay, Lesbian

  • Abuse recovery

  • Codependency

About Dr. John Chambers Christopher | Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy in Bozeman, Montana t. 406-548-8571

John Chambers Christopher, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, offers mindfulness-centered psychotherapy and integrative mental health care in Bozeman, Montana, as well as online throughout the state via secure telehealth. With decades of experience as a clinician, educator, and researcher, Dr. Christopher brings a uniquely holistic approach to therapy—one that blends scientific rigor with deep contemplative practice.

Dr. Christopher’s work draws from the intersecting worlds of clinical psychology, cultural psychology, mind-body medicine, developmental science, and contemplative wisdom traditions. His practice is grounded in over 30 years of personal experience with meditation, yoga, and qigong, and more than three decades of mindfulness instruction. Clients benefit from an approach that is not only evidence-based, but also integrative, compassionate, and deeply attuned to the whole person.

Academic and Professional Background

Dr. Christopher’s academic career includes professorships at leading institutions such as Montana State University, Dartmouth College, University of Washington, and University of Guam. In 2012 and 2013, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Delhi, where he further developed his cross-cultural and integrative perspective on well-being and education.

He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) and a former president of the APA's Division of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology. He is also a Fellow of the Mind & Life Institute, a global organization committed to exploring the interface between science, contemplative practice, and human flourishing.

As a founding contributor to the Mind & Life Institute’s Ethics, Education, and Human Development Initiative, Dr. Christopher has been instrumental in developing curriculum that integrates mindfulness, ethics, and social-emotional learning in educational settings.

Specializations and Approach

Dr. Christopher specializes in the treatment of:

  • Stress-related disorders and burnout

  • Anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions

  • Mindfulness-based interventions for health professionals and educators

  • Counselor self-care and professional development

  • Integrative mind-body healing

  • Cross-cultural and contemplative psychology

His therapeutic work is informed by his training in mind-body medicine, years of dedicated meditation and contemplative practice, and ongoing research on the integration of Eastern and Western healing systems. He also consults with businesses, health care systems, universities, and K–12 schools, providing mindfulness training to enhance resilience, creativity, and organizational well-being.

Contributions to the Field

Dr. Christopher has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with a focus on mindfulness, counselor education, and the cultural dimensions of psychological theory. His article, “Teaching Self-Care Through Mindfulness Practices,” remains one of the most frequently read in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, and his work continues to influence how mindfulness is integrated into the training of future mental health professionals.

His widely recognized graduate-level course, “Mind-Body Medicine and the Art of Self-Care,” has been featured in national publications for its innovative approach to healing-centered education.

Serving Montana and Beyond

Licensed to practice psychology in both Montana and New York, Dr. Christopher offers in-person therapy in Bozeman as well as telehealth therapy across Montana. His practice supports individuals seeking a thoughtful, depth-oriented, and mindful approach to personal transformation.

Whether you're a healthcare provider, educator, or individual seeking a more integrated path to well-being, Dr. Christopher offers a compassionate and deeply knowledgeable presence for your therapeutic journey.

Virtual Therapy for montana

At Integrative Psychotherapy Montana, we understand that finding the right counselor and accessing therapy should be as seamless as possible. Whether you’re living in Bozeman or anywhere across Montana, our goal is to make it easy for you to receive the support you need. We offer online therapy through our secure, HIPAA-compliant platform, SimplePractice, providing you with the convenience of connecting with your licensed mental health professional from the comfort of your own home or office. Online therapy is an ideal solution for many individuals who live in rural areas or locations where experienced counselors are hard to find. It’s also a perfect fit for busy schedules, where work, family obligations, and other responsibilities can make it difficult to find time for in-person sessions.

The ease of virtual therapy allows you to prioritize your mental health without needing to commute or juggle your busy day. Research has shown that online counseling is just as effective as in-person therapy for most individuals, making it an accessible and convenient option for anyone looking for professional support. Our therapists are well-trained in providing high-quality video counseling and have the expertise to work with a wide range of concerns, from anxiety and depression to relationship issues and trauma recovery.

We believe that therapy should be adaptable to your needs, and that’s why we offer this flexible option to clients throughout Montana. Whether you’re dealing with life transitions, emotional struggles, or simply seeking a safe space to process your feelings, virtual therapy can be a practical, effective, and accessible solution. However, if you’re unsure if teletherapy is the best option for you, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’ll help you determine whether online therapy fits your needs or if in-person sessions would be a better fit.

At Integrative Psychotherapy, we’re committed to making your counseling experience as easy and effective as possible, no matter where you are. Send us an email today to learn more about how virtual therapy can fit into your life and help you achieve the healing and support you deserve.

How To Find The Right Therapist For You In Bozeman Montana

It can feel overwhelming when you decide to work with a therapist. Our modern world makes finding a therapist online somewhat easier, but there are so many qualified therapists to choose from. Many people begin their therapy search using a popular website called Psychology Today because there are many search options, which makes the process somewhat more streamlined, but still challenging. You may want a counselor with certain skills or life-experience, or gender, race or religion may also play a role for you. When searching for a counselor or psychologist in Montana, it’s important to find someone who not only has the skills, experience and training to help you with your concerns, but someone with whom you feel comfortable—therapists call this a “good fit.” Finding the right therapist for you is the most important aspect of effective therapy and healing, as healing tends to happen in the context of supportive and corrective relationships. If you have been referred by a friend, colleague or physician, we will consider this as well. If we do not feel like we are a good fit for you, we will always make a referral with other experienced counselors within the community.

After you reach out, you will be sent electronic versions of our intake paperwork, which includes confidentiality, policy and insurance information to be completed prior to your first session. If you will be conducting sessions virtually or online, you will be sent a link prior to your session time. When working virtually, we use a HIPPA-compliant video conferencing platform called SimplePractice, which we think is easy and convenient to use. Early sessions will be an opportunity to get to know you better and to clarify your counseling goals. Typically sessions are weekly as this gives you the opportunity to develop a relationship with your therapist. Sometimes, if you are experiencing a personal or professional crisis, you may need to meet more frequently. Experience tells us that therapy is most effective when it is weekly and consistent. As treatment goals are met, you will have the opportunity to reevaluate your ongoing counseling needs.

Our Montana Counseling Practice Philosophy

As integrative psychotherapists, we consider all aspects of you and your experience, which includes: home, work, social, cultural, emotional, biological, relational, spiritual, and more. This is a mind-body approach to therapy and counseling. Our counseling philosophy addresses not only your symptoms, but the root cause of your difficulties so you can experience long-lasting healing. This means that we help you process thoughts, feelings and emotions and build healthier coping skills in addition to processing experiences that are held in the nervous system. Our highly-experienced counseling professionals offer a range of evidence-based and research-proven practices to help you transform anxiety, depression and emptiness into acceptance, freedom and connectedness. We work with adults of all ages, sexual orientations and cultural backgrounds, specializing in individual therapy, marriage counseling, couple counseling and family counseling.