Ellen Knapp

Ellen Knapp, MA, LPC, GCM. Ellen is a native New Englander – grew up in rural Connecticut. Attended art school in Italy, lived in Santa Fe New Mexico for 12 years till moving to Boulder to attend Naropa Institute in 1987. From Naropa, she earned a Masters degree in Contemplative Psychology in 1990..went on to work at the Boulder County Mental Health center on the crisis team for 7 years while at the same time teaching kids art classes. Also during this period, worked for Windhorse Community Services as a Team Leader. Windhorse works from a contemplative view point, and draws from many of the principles taught at Naropa as well as resting in a Buddhist style of treatment for people with major mental health issues.

In 1995, Ellen and her husband bought an 8 person assisted living home (Temenos House) in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, which Ellen directed for 12 years..seeing people through gradual frailty into end of life.

After selling Temenos House, Ellen returned to work for both Windhorse Community Services as well as Windhorse Elder care, which had sprung from Windhorse Community Services, and which provides in-home support for older people.

Ellen yearned to take these skills into her own professional life independently, so in 2011, became certified as a Geriatric Care Manager, which is still her passion and ongoing career.

Ellen began practicing Buddhist meditation in 1975, when she encountered students of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in Santa Fe. She has maintained a steady practice/study life since then. She enjoys hearing and practicing with a variety of other Buddhist teachers and is especially drawn to seeing how meditation and nature are very deeply mutually inspiring.