Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
For Mental Health Professionals
24 CEU's for MN Licensed Therapists
Is Burnout or Compassion Fatigue
impacting you, your clients and practice?
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Are you unable to find the off-switch for a mind that's always on,
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so focused on caring for others that your own cup is running low,
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or sensing that compassion fatigue and burnout are not only possible, but imminent, and self-care seems like a luxury or something you don't have time for?
... you're not alone.
The unforgiving pace of the modern therapy practice leaves little space for slowing down to choose a more nourishing path forward.
MBSR is an 8-week, evidence based, experiential mindfulness training created by Jon Kabat-Zin. With more than 30 years of research behind it, MBSR is considered the Gold Standard in stress reduction programs.
Through didactic learning, experiential practice, and inquiry, participants connect deeply with their own inner resources and capacity for resilience, healing and growth.
“As a psychologist, I’ve always known about the power of mindfulness, but it wasn’t until I experienced the benefits firsthand that I truly understood the power of this practice, both for myself and my clients. In her MBSR class, Colette gently pushed me out of my comfort zone, equipping me with tangible tools for stress management that I now use both personally and professionally.
I feel more confident guiding my clients in mindfulness practices, and I’ve gained lifelong tools to manage my own stress.”
Amie
— Licensed Psychologist
As a therapist, you KNOW the value
of taking time out to Practice Mindfulness
For Your Own Wellbeing
Therapist burnout and compassion fatigue is at an all-time high. Between post-pandemic demand and the systemic issues impacting every level of the Mental Healthcare delivery system, mental health professionals are under more pressure than ever and it takes a toll. The research is clear: sustained Mindfulness Practice under the guidance of a qualified instructor has been shown to reduce burnout and compassion fatigue among healthcare professionals. This is as good for your body and mind as it is for your clients. You can only give as good as you’ve got, so go get yourself some relief.
For Your Professional Development
To bring Mindfulness into your practice. There is plenty of information out there about mindfulness and probably some good stuff about how to integrate it into your practice for the benefit of your clients. But mindfulness is far less about information and far more about the embodied capacity to sit with and reorient your relationship with the present. It’s less a strategy and far more a way of being. This only comes with practice and guidance. MBSR offers a deep dive into the practice of mindfulness so that you can embody the peace, ease and joy you are guiding your clients towards.
FOR 24 CEU's for MN Licensed Mental Health Professionals:
Take MBSR with me at Mindfulness IRL, and MN licensed Mental Health Professionals (all designations) receive 24 CEUs. Why not get something for your own wellbeing as well as a valuable clinical skill from a CEU course?
And you also know that it's
just not always that easy
Let's be honest, taking time out of your busy schedule to practice Mindfulness is one of the most challenging things anyone can do.
Mindfulness Practice is deceptively simple, maddeningly difficult to master and offers profound benefits all at once. Most people think and read about mindfulness for a long time before they commit to a practice of their own. It's just normal!
MBSR offers the guidance, structure and community you need to take the leap into your own personal mindfulness journey.
MBSR is Mindfulness Training that Goes Beyond the Buzzwords
MBSR is an 8-week, evidence-based, experiential mindfulness training created by Jon Kabat-Zin. With more than 30 years of research behind it, MBSR is considered the Gold Standard in stress reduction programs.
Through experiential practice, inquiry, and didactic learning, you will connect deeply with your own inner resources and capacity for resilience, healing, and growth.
Meet Colette
your compassionate guide on the road to resilience
Colette is a qualified MBSR instructor, trauma-sensitive practitioner, entrepreneur, single mother, and fellow human.
As both a guide and fellow traveler on this journey, Colette has experienced firsthand the impact that mindfulness can have in complex, messy, real-life situations. She takes mindfulness beyond a buzzword and helps her students explore, embody, and integrate mindfulness into both their personal and professional lives.
Here's What to Expect
1. An evidence-based framework to relieve stress and enhance joy.
Our structured program guides you through a series of meditation and mindfulness practices designed to help you become a witness to your own internal experience. It offers you a new lens through which to understand yourself, disarming emotional volatility and freeing you to live joyfully.
2. Compassionate, Expert Guidance
There are many qualified MBSR teachers, but Colette stands out for her ability to cultivate comfort and safety for each student. This is pivotal because the act of practicing mindfulness requires courage to confront your own experience. Colette creates a secure space for vulnerability, leading by her own example of courage and openness.
3. A Supportive Community of Like-Minded Peers
Although mindfulness starts as a personal practice, each MBSR class blossoms into a tightly-knit, supportive community. The bonds form quickly, fortified by our collective exploration of stress and relief—universal experiences that unite us on a profoundly human level.
MBSR at a Glance
Over 8-weeks, we meet weekly, as a group of 10 - 15 participants, for 2 hours. In class, we dive deep into experiential practice, inquiry, and didactic learning to connect with your own inner resources and capacity for resilience, healing, and growth.
Between each class, you are encouraged to practice daily and complete brief assignments designed to integrate mindfulness into your daily life.
Between classes 6 and 7, we spend a full day (9am - 4pm) together, mostly in silence, for an extended period of mindfulness in the spirit of a retreat.
As we wrap up, you will be invited to continue the practice by joining an ongoing community of practice who meet weekly to meditate together and support ongoing practice.
Week 1: Attention
How we pay attention has as much of an impact as where we put our attention - this week, we begin to get to know what we pay attention to and how by practicing the Body Scan meditation.
Week 4: Stress
We take a deep dive into the physiology of stress and reactivity. We come to know stress as an automatic, conditioned, embodied response that we just might be able to notice and interrupt.
Week 2: Perception
We begin to explore and uncover habitual patterns in the way we relate and pay attention. We'll learn to use the breath as an anchor to stay right here in the present moment.
Week 5: Response
Learn to extend the pause between stimulus and response and experience some freedom from habitual reactions as you begin to notice thoughts as "just thoughts".
Week 3: Movement
Just like the mind can hold on to automatic habits and patterns, so can the body. In class 3, we observe our reactions to the body in motion with an introduction to gentle Hatha yoga and walking meditation.
Week 6: Communication
This week we explore stress and response inside of relationships, continue to observe thoughts as "just thoughts" and develop and strengthen concentration and focus
RETREAT
Between weeks 6 and 7, we spend a full day (9am - 4pm) in silent practice. You invited to turn inward and be led seamlessly from one practice to the next to explore your own inner landscape.
Week 7: Compassion
We practice bringing kindness to ourselves and our everyday experiences with Metta Mediation and reflection on the role of self compassion in healing and pain relief for both individuals and communities.
Week 8: Integration
In our final class, we discuss ongoing practice, support and resources to continue experiencing relief, healing and joy in real life, right now.
"What's magical about Colette's approach is how she makes each person feel seen and heard without making anyone the center of attention—myself included. Despite our long-term association, I've always felt like an equal student in her class, sharing the learning journey with everyone else."
~ Ronda
Labor Relations Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an experienced meditator?
No prior experience is necessary! MBSR is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to individuals at all levels. If you’re a beginner, you’ll find the program an eye-opening introduction to the transformative power of mindfulness. And if you’re experienced, MBSR will deepen your practice, providing nuanced insights and support to further your journey.
What does the time commitment look like?
MBSR is an 8-week program. Participants meet live, online weekly for 2 hours AND once for a full-day retreat (always scheduled on a weekend).
In addition to class time, participants are invited and encouraged to spend up to 30 minutes daily practicing at home with the support of recorded meditations.
While the time commitment may appear daunting, consider it an investment, knowing that the time you put into these 8 weeks will return to you in the form of an expanded sense of presence and ease that extends well beyond our time together. The time invested in developing a mindfulness practice pays off in ways that spending time getting things done just doesn’t.
What is the financial investment?
The financial investment for the full 8 week course, including 24 hours of live contact time with CEU's in the State of Minnesota, materials, reading lists, research articles and recorded practices is $699.00 for licensed Mental Health Professionals.
If you are a PRE-licensed Mental Health Professional OR do NOT want CEU's, the financial investment is $475.00 for all of the above (except for CEUs).
What if I miss a session?
Each session builds on the previous one. We strongly encourage consistent attendance so that you get all the benefits of live guidance and group dynamics. While missing a session is not ideal, we get it—life is unpredictable - so it’s always possible that you may miss a session.
However, sessions will not be recorded, so if you know up front that you will miss more than one session, consider taking the course when you are able to attend all 8 sessions.
I’ve never done a full-day retreat before — what do I need to know?
If the thought of a full-day retreat feels daunting, don't worry—it's simpler than you might think. The 8-hour day is structured around guided meditation sessions, gentle physical movements, and enriching group discussions. No experience is required. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to participate fully. Consider this retreat your special day to focus solely on your own well-being—a rare, precious gift to yourself.
I’ve tried mindfulness before, and it didn’t work. How will this be different?
If you've dabbled in mindfulness before with limited success, MBSR offers a structured, comprehensive approach that might be the key to unlocking its benefits for you. This program isn’t about surface-level fixes or information; it delves deep into mindfulness theory and practice, facilitating a transformative shift in how you engage with stress, emotions, and life itself. Additionally, the group setting and Colette’s expert guidance provide the accountability and direction often missing in mindfulness practices.
Can I get Continuing Education Credits for MBSR?
If you are LPC, LPCC, LADC, LMF, psychologist or clinical social worker licensed in Minnesota, yes! The MBSR program qualifies for 24 CEUs.
What if I am PRE-Licensed, is this still the right class for me?
YES! These sections of MBSR are appropriate for both licensed and pre-licensed Mental Health Professionals and Therapists.
I’m still not sure if MBSR is right for me.
It's completely natural to have reservations—mindfulness is a personal journey, and it's essential that you find the right fit. Here's what we unconditionally promise each participant in our Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program:
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Research-backed stress reduction strategies: MBSR techniques are grounded in over 30 years of research.
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A focus on application: There is more value in practicing mindfulness than there is in knowing mindfulness. We center practice and application to your REAL life.
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Compassionate guidance: You’ll not only experience compassion from Colette and your peers, but you’ll deepen your own self-compassion as well.
If you still have questions, please reach out to me HERE!
I am happy to connect and answer any questions or
concerns you may have.
Are you Ready to Transform Your Relationship with Stress and Reclaim Inner Peace?
In a world that relentlessly demands your attention, burnout becomes the norm. Our Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program isn’t just another item to tick off your never-ending to-do list. It’s your opportunity to slow down, nurture your well-being, fortify your resilience, and rediscover joy in every facet of life.
While it may not feel like this is the time to take on anything new, this course is the exception. There is so much stress and uncertainty in the world, another commitment can feel stressful. But time invested in learning and practicing mindfulness will give you tools for staying grounded, connected and joyful through it all.
Sign up for a class today!