Kevin Riordan is an advanced Ph.D. student in the Department of Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is honored to help Loka wherever he can and has been especially involved with aspects of curriculum design and clinical consultation. Kevin serves as research assistant at the Center for Healthy Minds and in the Psychotherapy and Contemplative Science Lab. Kevin’s clinical training has involved roles in primary care, community mental health, college counseling, residential treatment for traumatic stress, and psychotherapy for incarcerated clients living with serious mental illness. Kevin is also a fellow in the Graduate Training Program in Mental Health Equity and teaches early-career helping professionals about the relationship between mental health, (in)equity, and (anti)racism. 

Kevin is particularly concerned with the relationship between mental health and the climate crisis. He has published multiple clinical trials investigating meditation-based interventions, including a randomized controlled trial testing the effects of meditation training on pro-environmental behavior. Much of his work has also focused on emerging technologies such as smartphone apps and online platforms as (perhaps) one way to promote human flourishing at scale.

Prior to his doctoral studies, Kevin primarily worked in outdoor education, afterschool programming, and international development, and engaged in long-term Zen monastic training, including one year in silent retreat. He also lived and worked for several years in a small therapeutic farming community supporting people with serious mental health challenges. Outside of Academia, Kevin loves outdoor adventures – especially canoe tripping with his dog and exploring remote wilderness spaces from the air with his paraglider.