ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention Course

Scheduled for the Spring of 2010

This adjunct intervention course is offered by Jaime Carlo-Casellas, Ph.D., at the Stress Management & Prevention Clinic in Rancho Mirage, California. It is modeled on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program established by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and is rooted in the findings of G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D., et al. It also encompasses the precepts of the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy of Zindel V. Segal, Ph.D., et al. Taken together, their work and findings validate the effectiveness of mindfulness in the treatment and management of addictive behaviors.

The intent of the course is to offer a potpourri of mindfulness practices—given that some practices work better for some individuals than others. These include Vipassana meditative practices: introspective breathing, compassion meditation (metta Bhavana), body scan meditation, walking meditation, Mindfulness Yoga, Reiki (healing touch), progressive muscle relaxation, mindful listening, mindful eating, and autogenics. As to a common denominator, all practices focus on awareness of the breath and present-moment ongoing thoughts, emotions and the physical sensations perceived through the five senses.

The course consists of eight, two-hour weekly experiential practice sessions. In addition to the formal sessions, the participants are given CD recordings of guided meditation and a workbook for home practice.

This adjunct intervention is designed to complement the services of healing arts professionals and can be offered at sites other than the Stress Management & Prevention Clinic.