About the podcast
When East Meets West is a podcast that presents current attitudes and methods in psychology that weave eastern spiritual practices with western behavioral science.
Hosts Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin
are licensed psychologists and old friends who share a passion for mindfulness and modern behaviorism. Despite their coastal cultural differences (Dr. Rubin was born and raised in Los Angeles, and Dr. Pete was born and raised in New York and New Jersey), their clinical approaches meet on common ground that brings fresh perspectives to psychological topics.
Dr. Pete has studied Zen Buddhism under Robert Kennedy Roshi for more than 10 years, and Dr. Rubin is a long-time dedicated mindfulness practitioner. Individually, they provide third wave cognitive behavioral therapies in their clinical practices to a wide range of patients on their respective coasts. On the show, they present mindfulness-based concepts and evidence-based behavioral tools that can help you begin to integrate eastern wisdom and western behavior change into your own life.
Peter Economou, Ph.D.
Peter Economou, Ph.D., ABPP, is a counseling psychologist, author, podcast host, researcher, and mental health advocate. Dr. Pete offers interdisciplinary treatment including referrals to psychiatrists, physicians, nutritionists, physical trainers, nurses, social workers, and other professionals that can assist an individual to achieve the stated goals. Dr. Pete approaches all of his work from a behavioral orientation, primarily of third wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and is guided by the science. He creates an open dialogue about techniques and goals are set and evaluated regularly.
It is his belief that many of our concerns are rooted in learned experiences and we can train our minds to function at the optimal envisioned level. Dr. Pete has also studied eastern philosophy including Buddhism and Yoga which lead to his interest in the third wave cognitive and behavioral therapies. There are several techniques including advanced training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).
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Dr. Pete is licensed by the state of New Jersey to practice psychology and as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), and in New York as a psychologist. He approaches therapy from a cognitive orientation, primarily of Beckian CBT. He earned a Ph.D. in counseling psychology and is Board Certified in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He joined the esteemed faculty at Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) as the Director of the MAP program and Associate Professor.
Dr. Pete has completed various international relief projects, which included working with children and adults with developmental disabilities in the Caribbean, and individuals with HIV and AIDS throughout Africa. Studying at Seton Hall University, Dr. Pete was conferred a B.S. in Biology, studied Neuroscience at the graduate level, and was conferred a M.A. and an Ed.S. in counseling and psychological studies and mental health counseling.
Dr. Pete has trained at a variety of mental health settings treating individuals across the life span, and has always focused on cognitive and behavioral therapies. His training included working with elite (e.g., university) and professional (e.g., NFL, MLS and NHL) athletes, methadone and other substance abuse clinics, family treatment centers, university counseling and disability support services, hospital settings including neuropsychology assessment and intensive outpatient services, assisted living facilities, private practice, and a summer camp for students with developmental disabilities. Lastly, Dr. Pete has completed myriad research projects where he has presented at national and international conferences. His research interests vary including studies investigating the impact of stress and trauma on learning, memory, and executive functioning, the varying romantic relationship models and differences between the heterosexual and homosexual populations, gender, and the effects of heterosexism and stress on sexual minorities. Dr. Pete is an active member of several professional organizations.
Where to find more from Dr. Pete
Nikki Rubin, Psy.D.
Dr. Rubin is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience in private practice who provides evidence-based psychotherapy for adults. She specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other 3rd wave cognitive behavioral therapies, which help her patients develop psychological flexibility to navigate various mental health challenges.
Dr. Rubin is also an Assistant Clinical Professor in the UCLA Psychology Department, where she mentors and trains the next generation of mental health clinicians. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and skills with other professionals in the field, and offers consultations and coaching on private practice development and management. Dr. Rubin's mission is to help her patients and colleagues cultivate greater overall well-being by building the lives and careers that they envision for themselves.
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Dr. Rubin practices in both California (PSY30047) and New York (019595), specializing in evidence-based therapies. She received her B.A. from UCSD in Literature/Writing where she also completed Minors in Human Development and Spanish Literature. Dr. Rubin earned both an M.A. in Psychology and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University's APA accredited Graduate School of Education and Psychology.
Dr. Rubin believes that humans thrive when provided with open, safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate environments that are informed by structure, science, and wisdom. Within this framework Dr. Rubin hopes to create space for individuals to explore their values, make mistakes, learn, and be their authentic imperfect selves.
Dr. Rubin primarily practices from an ACT orientation. She has also received training and supervision in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Written Exposure Therapy (WET), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP), Schema Therapy (ST), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Her research during graduate school focused on sociocultural adaptations of cognitive behavioral therapies (e.g., DBT for Spanish-speaking patients; CBT for depressed cisgender men who tend to adhere to a traditional masculine gender identity).
Dr. Rubin founded her private practice in 2014. She is passionate about mentorship in mental health training, including clinical supervision, continuing education courses, and clinical entrepreneurship. She is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA where she trains clinical psychology doctoral students in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She previously worked as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Clinical Supervisor/Visiting Scholar at Columbia University’s Teachers College and as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Yeshiva University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Dr. Rubin also provides professional consultation and supervision to licensed mental health clinicians in need of guidance and support in all aspects of their clinical practices. She is the creator of the Complete Private Practice Toolkit, a lifetime access online course that provides a robust set of practical tools to start or improve a private practice.
Dr. Rubin is a full member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), and the Women’s Mental Health Consortium (WMHC).
Where to find more from Dr. Rubin
The Complete Private Practice Toolkit
Course for therapists
