Bridging the Hearts & Minds of Youth: Mindfulness in Clinical Practice, Education and Research 2012 Conference

Dear Colleague,
As you may know, the practice of bringing mindfulness to youth in educational, clinical, and community settings has received unprecedented attention over the past decade as parents, children, educators, clinicians and researchers have noticed the wide-ranging and beneficial effects of doing so. The implications and effects of this growing movement are wide-ranging, and impact the psychological, physical and social health and well-being of children and teens.

In order to highlight the accomplishments in this growing field, as well as provide a significant contribution to it as well, we have brought together the thought leaders from various disciplines (e.g., clinicians, educators and researchers) to offer a conference that will be unlike any other thus far. Our intention is to engage professionals in the ongoing discussion and development of the field, as well as to assist their professional growth and development, all within the context of a thought-provoking, collegial and collaborative environment. The hope is that attendees will develop a new appreciation for the power of working with youth through the lens of mindfulness, and will leave with new knowledge and skills to continue the work that so many have already begun.

Some meeting highlights include:

Five keynote speakers from different disciplines will present on relevant topics from the perspectives of their specialties It is intended that these talks will create dialogue amongst participants and inspire those to continue to move this field forward.
“The Mindful Child: Teaching the New ABCs of Attention, Balance and Compassion” by Susan Kaiser-Greenland, founder of Inner Kids
“Managing the Caveman Brain in the 21st Century” by Rick Hanson, author of The Buddha’s Brain.
“From Dazed and Distracted to Attentive and Calm: What the Neuroscience of Mindfulness Reveals” by Amishi Jha, psychologist and neuroscience researcher.
“Courage in Schools: Connecting Hearts and Minds in the Adult Community” by Pamela Siegle and Chip Wood, educators and affiliated with Courage & Renewal Northeast
Cutting edge mindfulness programs and interventions will be shared through a multitude of break-out sessions over this inaugural two-day conference.
Optional 3.5 hour intensive training workshops on select key mindfulness programs will be available to delve deeper into this work after the formal program comes to a close on Sunday at noon.

Our goal is to provide attendees with a unique opportunity to spend time learning from a variety of speakers from within this field, through a broad range of associated disciplines. We expect to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue, learning and exploring of the utilization of mindfulness practice with this important population.

We look forward to seeing you in February!

Steven D. Hickman, PsyD and Gina M. Biegel, MA

Objectives

Upon completion of the activity, participants should be able to:

Become familiar with a variety of mindfulness-based programs for children and adolescents through experiential techniques and dissemination of information for participants to use in their work with youth.
Develop skills to utilize a variety of adapted mindfulness-based interventions for youth.
Become familiar with current information regarding mindfulness and brain science through research and practice.
Review current research as it is related to societal trends regarding the state of our youth today and explore how mindfulness can play a crucial role in positively impacting these trends.
Obtain direct, personal experience of mindfulness practice and learn how it applies to both professional and personal practice.

Presented By

UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness
The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is a multi-faceted program of clinical care, professional training, education, research and outreach intended to further the practice and integration of mindfulness into the lives of individuals throughout the healthcare and educational system, including patients, healthcare providers, students, teachers and businesspeople. The foundation and core of the Center for Mindfulness is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as it was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D and the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Clinical programs of the CFM also include Mindfulness for Teens, The Practice of Mindful Eating & Healthy Living, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and others.

Stressed Teens
Stressed Teens, otherwise known as the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T) Program, was founded in 2004. Stressed Teens has been demonstrated through research to be an effective and evidence-based intervention to reduce adolescent stress and the physical and psychological problems that result. Stressed Teens is adapted in a variety of ways to accommodate the setting in which it is being offered. This program is frequently utilized with individuals, families, and in-group settings. Stressed Teens teaches mindfulness skills and provides tools for those in their pre-teen years through latter adolescence. Mindfulness involves paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and can be cultivated through both formal and informal mindfulness practices. Stressed Teens takes a mind-body approach and focuses on the whole person. Teens often have difficulty with their social skills, emotions, confidence, procrastination, impulsivity and attention. Stressed Teens can improve a teen’s functioning and quality of living socially, physically and psychologically.