The Power of Mindfulness and Compassion to Healthy Brain Functioning
– Presented by Shauna Shapiro, PhD [CLASS]

Based on Dr. Shapiro’s recent text, The Art and Science of Mindfulness: Integrating Mindfulness into Psychotherapy and the Helping Professions (2017), the program offers scientific research and meditative practices for therapists interested in awakening the mind and opening the heart. We begin by defining mindfulness as involving three synergistic elements, Intention, Attention and Attitude. We focus particularly on the attitude of compassion as an essential element of mindfulness and key to its application and practice. We then draw on current research in psychology, medicine and cognitive neuroscience; we will investigate the effects of mindfulness practice on decreasing pathology and increasing positive psychological and physiological states.

We will learn about the convergence of neuroscience and mindfulness, and the optimistic message about the brain’s capacity to change. We will identify specific mindfulness practices for both therapist and client, and delve into methods of integrating mindfulness and mindfulness-based therapies into clinical work. Through didactic presentation, case examples, meditation practices, and small group activities, we will explore methods of developing mindfulness personally and professionally. The program will emphasize the development of mindful awareness as the fundamental ground for the therapeutic process, regardless of theoretical orientation or specific techniques. From the perspective of mindfulness, healing does not require changing or fixing our experience, but discovering the capacity to find freedom in the midst of our authentic experience and innate human vulnerability.

Learning Goals and Objectives:

• Identify the three key elements of mindfulness.
• List key research findings of current meditation research.
• Enumerate research findings regarding the convergence of mindfulness and neuroscience.
• Describe how mindfulness practice can help relieve ruminative and anxious thought patterns.
• Explain how mindfulness can enhance therapist qualities essential to therapeutic work.
• Identify how mindfulness practices can decrease therapist stress and burnout.
• Articulate a vision of mindfulness that includes both reduction of pathology as well as enhancement of well-being and optimal health.

Shauna Shapiro, PhD, is a professor, author, and internationally recognized expert in mindfulness. Dr. Shapiro has published over 100 journal articles and book chapters, and co-authored the critically acclaimed texts, The Art and Science of Mindfulness, and Mindful Discipline, translated into nine languages. Her 2017 TEDx talk was rated one of the top 10 TED-talks on Mindfulness, and has received over 800,000 views. Dr. Shapiro has presented her work to the King of Thailand, the Danish Government, Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Summit, and the World Council for Psychotherapy as well as to Fortune 100 Companies including Google, Cisco Systems, P&G, and Genentech. Her work has been featured in Wall Street Journal, Wired Magazine, Mashable, USA Today, Shape, Dr. Oz, the Huffington Post, Yoga Journal, and The American Psychologist.

COST: 

Non Members:
$75 early registration up to 10 days prior to class, $85 after

CIP Members:
$50 early registration up to 10 days prior to class, $60 after

CEs: 4 CEs for LMFTs, LCSWs, and Psychologists.

Community Institute for Psychotherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Community Institute for Psychotherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Cancellations must be received in writing 10 business days prior to the seminar or class for a refund minus a $25 cancellation fee.

Accommodation for Special Needs: Accommodations will be made wherever possible to accommodate those with disabilities.  Please let us know of any disabilities upon registration, to ensure that proper accommodations are put in place prior to workshop/training.

Grievance Procedure: CIP will respond to complaints in a reasonable, ethical and timely manner, when submitted by program attendees in writing to the Chair of CIP’s Professional Development Committee.

Anti-Discrimination Policy: CIP shall not discriminate against any individual or group with respect to any service, program or activity based on gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age or other prohibited basis. CIP does not require attendees to adhere to any particular religion or creed in order to participate in training. CIP will not promote or advocate for a single modality of treatment that is discriminatory or likely to harm clients based on current accepted standards or practice.

*There is no conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.