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Fighting cancer isn't easy, but giving up isn't an option. Yoga enhances physical and emotional wellness—and brings a peace many patients thought they lost forever.

Objectives. Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was originally developed to prevent relapse in recurrent depression. More recently it has been applied to individuals at high risk of suicide or currently suffering with anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to consider the feasibility of MBCT for individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD).Design. The design of the study was a repeated measures, quasi‐experimental design employing within‐subject and between‐subject comparisons of a sample of participants with BPD. Based on previous studies and theoretical models of the effect of mindfulness and of cognitive therapy, pre‐ and post‐group measures of mindfulness, depression, anxiety, dissociation, impulsivity, experiential avoidance, and attention were obtained. Method. Participants attended an 8‐week adapted MBCT (MBCT‐a) group intervention. A total of 22 participants were assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention and were subsequently divided for analysis into two groups: treatment completers (N= 16) and non‐completers (number of sessions attended < 4; N= 6). Results. The study found that MBCT‐a is acceptable to individuals with BPD. Using intention to treat analyses, only attentional control improved. However, post hoc analyses of treatment improvers (N= 9) identified changes in mindfulness and somatoform dissociation. A dose‐effect analysis suggested a weak improvement in mindfulness, experiential avoidance, state anxiety, and somatoform dissociation. Conclusions. This study suggests that further exploration of MBCT for use with individuals with BPD is merited. The study lends tentative support for attentional and avoidance models of the effects of mindfulness.

ObjectiveTo explore African American (AA) women’s use of mind-body therapies, such as yoga and mindfulness, and factors that impact their experiences, observations and opinions. Design Focus groups were conducted to better understand how AA women perceive mind-body therapies and how to best bring these interventions into their community. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Setting The urban Midwest. Outcome measures In addition to qualitative outcomes, descriptive measures included the Perceived Stressor Scale, Beliefs About Yoga Scale, and Determinants of Meditation Practice Inventory (DOMPI). Results Twenty-two, predominantly low-income (75% reported income <$50,000) and single (82%) women participated in three age stratified focus groups (18–34 years, 35–65 years, 66 years and older). Participants acknowledged life stress and shared common coping mechanisms. They recognized that yoga and mindfulness could be beneficial and discussed barriers to practice (including personal and structural). Younger women reported more time constraints as barriers, middle aged women had more experience with yoga, and older women identified the spiritual component to yoga/mindfulness as potentially conflicting with current coping strategies. Participants suggested ways to share mind-body therapies within the AA community along with solutions for engagement. Conclusions AA women acknowledged stress in their lives and recognized the need for additional coping measures. Although women reported interest in yoga/mindfulness they identified barriers, including limited access to convenient classes, and offered suggestions for bringing yoga and mindfulness to their communities.

This resource, SEL in Catholic School Communities: Guidelines for a Sustainable Whole-school Approach to Social and Emotional Learning, has been developed by the Catholic Education Office Melbourne. The values and beliefs of the Catholic Church and the mission of Catholic schools in their communities provide the context for the implementation of these Guidelines.

This resource, SEL in Catholic School Communities: Guidelines for a Sustainable Whole-school Approach to Social and Emotional Learning, has been developed by the Catholic Education Office Melbourne. The values and beliefs of the Catholic Church and the mission of Catholic schools in their communities provide the context for the implementation of these Guidelines.

<p>Few counseling programs directly address the importance of self-care in reducing stress and burnout in their curricula. A course entitled Mind/Body Medicine and the Art of Self-Care was created to address personal and professional growth opportunities through self-care and mindfulness practices (meditation, yoga, qigong, and conscious relaxation exercises). Three methods of evaluating this 15-week 3-credit mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course for counseling students indicated positive changes for students in learning how to manage stress and improve counseling practice. Students reported positive physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and interpersonal changes and substantial effects on their counseling skills and therapeutic relationships. Information from a focus group, qualitative reports, and quantitative course evaluations were triangulated; all data signified positive student responses to the course, method of teaching, and course instructor. Most students reported intentions of integrating mindfulness practices into their future profession.</p>