Applied Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of sustaining attention including, moment-to-moment awareness of your body, feelings and thoughts as well as your core strengths and authentic connection to others. The classical mindfulness techniques I use are rooted in traditional Buddhist meditation practices and its underlying psychology. However, the application of mindfulness clinically is for the primary purpose of improving mental health. Classical mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, informed by the work of Dr. Lobsang Rapgay, a UCLA Researcher, is a component of my regular clinical practice. This is a set of techniques that I will enlist especially to help you to reduce anxiety and addictive behaviors. Mindfulness techniques can be an excellent way of interrupting patterns of negative thought allowing for a greater ability to consider life events with greater clarity, curiosity, perspective, empathy, and insight.
“To study the self is to forget the self.” (Dogen zenji)
I also offer a stand alone 8 week skills building course called Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. This is a structured curriculum developed by Zindel Segal et al (source) through the University of Toronto, which has been shown to reduce the recurrence of depression and anxiety (source).
[Can we create a separate page for course that we hide for now? Mindfulness needs a stand alone page]
New Class Forming, Summer 2019, Click Here to Register
This course consists of eight weekly 2 hour classes and a half day-long retreat. Classes include guided mindfulness practices, gentle movement, in-class exercises, and discussion. There are also home practice assignments to be completed between sessions. The structure of MBCT requires strong commitment and work, but the rewards can be profound and lasting.
[at registration] Cost of the course is 500.00 (limited scholarship available upon request)