Special Eight Week Course
Mindfulness and Psychotherapy:
A Training Program in the Practice and Application
of Mindfulness for Psychotherapists
Fridays, March 27 - May 15 2009, 10:00-12:30,
Saturday, May 2 10:00-4:00
This unique program for psychotherapists is primarily focused on Mindfulness Meditation, Mindful Movement, and everyday Mindfulness. Based on Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program and Zindel Segal's Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Program, the curriculum is particularly designed to meet the needs and interests of psychotherapists and counselors.
Individuals who practice Mindfulness notice an increased ability to stay in the present moment and to be more open to "things just as they are." Acknowledging present moment reality, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, is the first step toward transformation and insight. Responding versus reacting becomes a possibility. An increase in positive mind states, such as kindness, compassion, equanimity, and joy, arises on the ground of insight. In addition to improving their own quality of life, many therapists find that Mindfulness practices allow them to be more fully present in their work. Others discover ways to incorporate Mindfulness practices into their own therapeutic models. Finally, others use Mindfulness and mindfully informed interventions as their primary method of doing therapy.
Since Mindfulness and the ongoing practice of Mindfulness Meditation improves the ability to be present with acceptance, there is no therapeutic model that cannot be enhanced by this training. This program offers a rare opportunity to experience personal transformation, take a fresh approach to psychotherapy, and learn a practice that is an effective tool for life long learning.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the benefits of Mindfulness for psychotherapy and for the
psychotherapist.
2. Establish a Mindfulness Meditation practice.
3. Enhance the ability to be mindfully present during everyday activities.
4. Increase presence, non-reactivity, and compassion.
5. Learn additional meditation practices that increase positive mind states
and personal well-being.
6. Become familiar with research-based applications of mindfulness as an
intervention for mental health problems.
The program is offered every Friday over 8 weeks from 10:00-12:30, with an all-day retreat on the Saturday following the 6th session. The program will begin on March 27 and end on Friday, May 15. The all-day retreat will be from 10:00 until 4:00 on Saturday, May 2.
Application has been made for core professional education hours in accordance with the guidelines established by the Georgia Composite Board. 26 CE credits will be awarded to psychologists (Area IV), social workers, marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors. In order to be awarded CE credits, psychologists must attend all classes and the all-day retreat. Social workers, marriage and family counselors, and licensed professional counselors can earn partial CE credits if they find they have to miss a class.
Classes will be held
at the Harmony Learning Center
1989 N. Williamsburg Drive #F, Decatur, GA 30033
To find out more, please contact us at:
atlantamindfulness@gmail.com
or phone Helen at 404-357-0078
"Willing to experience aloneness,
I discover connection everywhere;
Turning to face my fear,
I meet the warrior who lives within;
Opening to my loss,
I gain the embrace of the universe;
Surrendering into emptiness,
I find fullness without end.
Each condition I flee from pursues me,
Each condition I welcome transforms me
And becomes itself transformed
Into its radiant jewel-like essence.
I bow to the one who has made it so,
Who has crafted this Master Game;
To play it is pure delight-
To honor its form, true devotion."
Jennifer Paine Welwood