Introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Rossana Lorentz Magalhaes, MS. EdS
Irena Danys MD
Workshop Description:
This is a 90-minute program introducing Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, an 8-week program considered to be the gold standard in mindfulness training, developed in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Participants in the program consistently report benefits associated with increased well-being and quality of life. Evidence based outcomes include reduction in a variety of symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Scientific investigations have revealed structural changes in brain regions involved in learning and memory, emotion regulation, sense of self, and perspective taking.
Mindfulness is a non-judgmental awareness of what is actually happening, in the here and the now. It allows clear presence in a calm, non-reactive way, opening the space for wise responding even under difficult circumstances. Mindfulness practices open the door into our naturally present deep resources of wisdom, compassion and healing. Practical application of mindfulness in daily life allows for improved self-awareness, stress coping, resilience and interpersonal communication.
Inspired by the growing needs of the pandemic stressors, Rossana Magalhaes and Irena Danys teamed up to teach together and created the MBSR Collaborative Program, a live online version of MBSR taught by Zoom. This differs from traditional MBSR programs with its small class sizes, support of individuals between classes, and a post-program continuation series automatically included. In addition to serving individuals, Rossana and Irena are dedicated to expanding the reach of MBSR to others and are excited to describe the program, its outcomes and their own experiences.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to :
• Define Mindfulness, the direct experience of short Mindfulness practices and the benefits of incorporating Mindfulness practices in daily social work interventions.
• Describe evidence-based outcomes for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as related to anxiety, depression, chronic pain and wellbeing
• Explain the pathway for becoming a Certified MBSR - Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher
About the Presenters
Rossana Lorentz Magalhaes, MS. EdS., is a Board Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a former mindfulness instructor at the Brain Mechanisms of Pain and Health Laboratory at the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.
Rossana is a Certified MBSR Teacher by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Brown University. She is also a certified Koru Mindfulness Teacher from Duke University.
Rossana is the author of “Atenção Plena - Growing in Mindfulness - Set of 53-cards,” in Portuguese.
She is a practitioner of mindfulness and meditation for more than 15 years and often uses mindfulness interventions to individual and family clients.
Rossana graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. EdS in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, UNC-G. She also graduated with a B.A. In Education and Student Orientation from The University of the Vale do Rio Doce located in the Southeast of Brazil.
Irena Danys MD has enjoyed 35 years in active medical practice as a board certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist. Most recently, while at Concord Hospital, she initiated Better Brains, Better Lives which included the special project of “Neuro MBSR”, Mindfulness-Base Stress Reduction for patients with Multiple Sclerosis and other chronic neurologic disorders.
After many years of personal meditation practice formal studies of Buddhist philosophy in the Tibetan tradition, she studied at the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical Center, MA and Brown University, RI to become a Certified MBSR – Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher.
She is the founder of Mindful Healers.com, providing quality Mindfulness and Meditation live online programs for individuals, groups, healthcare organizations and businesses.
Her particular areas of interest include neuroplasticity, brain changing effects of meditation, and the application of mindfulness practices for alleviation of burnout, mental fatigue and poor sleep.
Workshop details:
- A zoom link and handouts will be emailed to you prior to the workshop
- The workshop begins at noon, please join us a few minutes early to ensure your technology is working
- Certificates will be emailed upon receipt of your completed evaluation
- Want to pay by check? Email Tori - tchase.naswnh@socialworkers.org and mail your check to NASW NH, 4 Chenell Drive #103, Concord NH 03301
We are committed to providing information and resources to help all social workers in their professional lives. We are able to do this because of NASW Members - membership dues are a major part of our Chapter's budget. If you are not a member, please consider becoming one today. When you become a member of NASW, you automatically become a member of your Chapter and help support our work.