ITP Graduate Awarded $18,000 Grant
from Silicon Valley Foundation
With PhD in hand and the intention of incorporating Buddhist and Women's psychology into individual and group psychotherapy, Kait Philbin (Residential PhD, 2008) began investigating opportunities for post-doctoral studies. Building upon her doctoral research on bereavement, what she terms Transpersonal Integrative Therapy, she envisioned expanding her research and teaching her methods to local and international agencies. A presentation to the EUROTAS Conference in Barcelona this October was definite along with intended trips to Israel and Ireland to learn from others and to share her methods.
But as is true of many opportunities, funding became an issue.
"I spoke to everyone I know who showed some interest in my work including friends and colleagues of my husband," explained Kait. The bottom line is that Kait spoke with passion and intention about her dissertation research, the multi-modal program she developed, and the need she saw for bringing women's psychology and Buddhist psychology into clinical work. "My multi-modal program engenders mutual empathy, authenticity and empowerment to offset anger and disconnection and to facilitate kindness and forgiveness."
Potential donors were inspired by Kait's intentions. She was told she might apply to a donor-advised fund at the 
Silicon Valley Community Foundation. They liked her ideas and asked her to revise her proposal several times. A few weeks later, a check came to ITP from the Foundation. Kait had been awarded $18,000 dollars to help support a post-doctoral fellowship at ITP. The grant is to be used for Kait's conference fees, travel, retreats, workshops, memberships and supplies.
"I was both surprised and deeply grateful to receive such a generous grant," Kait said. "I had been seeking support, but never expected I would receive all that I needed. I think when we believe in the value of what we do and we begin to see our work transform lives, the passion follows naturally and that is what inspires others to want to contribute to our efforts."
Much to ITP's credit, the same fund gave ITP $5,000 to be used at the discretion of ITP's President. Such a gift is testimony to the donor's belief in the value of what we do here at ITP.
The donor of both grants chose to remain anonymous.
