Individuals struggling with perfectionism, emotional eating, and the existential weight of life’s impermanence – and practitioners seeking to integrate mindfulness with deep philosophical understanding – can need more than surface-level interventions to create authentic transformation. Pavel Somov has spent over 30 years developing what he calls “Existential-Dynamic” therapy, becoming an internationally recognised expert who bridges Eastern mindfulness wisdom with Western psychological science to help clients embrace life’s constant flux while finding meaning in the present moment.
As Co-founder and Co-owner of Existential-Dynamic Associates, LLC, and bestselling author of seven mindfulness-based books including Eating the Moment and Present Perfect: A Mindfulness Approach to Letting Go of Perfectionism and the Need for Control, Dr. Somov brings unique cross-cultural expertise shaped by his journey from Moscow to American psychology. His work has been featured in Martha Stewart’s publications, Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine, and translated into Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese, demonstrating his ability to make complex philosophical concepts accessible across diverse cultures. His membership on the Advisory Board of The Mindfulness Project (London, UK) reflects his international recognition as a leader in mindfulness-based interventions.
Somov’s expertise spans mindfulness-based therapy, perfectionism, mindful eating, existential therapy, anger management, addiction counseling, and what he describes as helping clients accept “life in motion, life in flux, life in constant change.” His approach recognises that many psychological problems stem from fighting against life’s fundamental impermanence rather than learning to dance with it. He specialises in working with perfectionists who exhaust themselves trying to control the uncontrollable, emotional eaters who use food to manage existential anxiety, and individuals struggling with the deeper questions of meaning and mortality that traditional therapy often avoids.
What sets his training apart is philosophical depth combined with practical mindfulness applications. Somov doesn’t just teach mindfulness techniques – he shows practitioners how to help clients develop what he calls “philosophical acceptance of life’s impermanence” as the foundation for psychological wellness. His unique background as a former Soviet Army soldier who immigrated to the U.S. gives him profound insight into adaptation, resilience, and the courage required for authentic transformation.
For your practice, expect to gain specific mindfulness interventions for perfectionism and emotional eating, tools for integrating existential themes into therapy, and frameworks for helping clients find meaning within life’s constant changes. His approach particularly benefits clinicians working with high-achievers struggling with control issues, those treating eating disorders, or practitioners wanting to develop expertise in existential and mindfulness-based therapies.
Quick Win: Somov’s “impermanence meditation” technique helps perfectionistic clients experience relief from the exhausting effort to control outcomes – sometimes providing the first taste of peace they’ve felt in years while building acceptance of life’s natural uncertainty.
Qualifications
- Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, 2000
- B.A., Psychology, University of Central Arkansas, 1996
- Graduate studies, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Russia
- Licensed Psychologist, Pennsylvania
- 30+ years clinical experience across diverse settings
Authored Books
- Present Perfect: A Mindfulness Approach to Letting Go of Perfectionism and the Need for Control (New World Library, audiobook narrated by Stephen Bowlby)
- Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating One Meal at a Time (bestseller)
- Anger Management Jumpstart: A 4-Session Mindfulness Path to Compassion and Change
- The Lotus Effect: Shedding Suffering and Rediscovering Your Essential Self
- The Smoke-Free Smoke Break: Stop Smoking Now With Mindfulness and Acceptance
- Reinventing the Meal (mindful eating approach)
- Mindful Emotional Eating: Mindfulness Skills to Control Cravings, Eat in Moderation and Optimize Coping
Leadership & Professional Recognition
- Co-founder & Co-owner, Existential-Dynamic Associates, LLC, Pittsburgh, PA, current
- Advisory Board Member, The Mindfulness Project, London, UK, current
- Professional Blogger, HuffPost, PsychCentral, Medium, Intent, current
- International Trainer
Clinical Experience (30 years across diverse settings)
- Private Practice, Pittsburgh, PA, current
- Correctional Setting/County Jail clinical work
- Mental Health Community Centers
- Veterans Hospital and Psychiatric Hospital
- Cancer Hospital and Pain Clinics
- University Counseling Center
- Family Medical Practice
Clinical Specialties
- Existential-Dynamic therapy and mindfulness-based interventions
- Perfectionism and need for control issues
- Mindful eating and emotional eating disorders
- Anger management using mindfulness approaches
- Addiction counseling and substance use disorders
- Existential therapy and life transitions
- Death anxiety and mortality concerns
- Couples therapy using Gottman Method
- Trauma, PTSD, and grief counseling
Ready to help clients find peace within life’s constant changes while developing authentic self-acceptance? Discover how Dr. Somov’s Existential-Dynamic methods can transform your ability to integrate mindfulness, philosophy, and practical psychology for clients struggling with perfectionism, emotional eating, and life’s deepest questions.