Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
For Clinicians and Health Health Coaches
MBSR is a powerful investment in yourself
both personally and professionally
Why Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for
Clinicians and Certified Health Coaches?
Even as the research and evidence in support of Mindfulness Practice grows, the word Mindfulness is often reduced to a series of scripts and buzzwords -
MBSR is different.
MBSR sharpens your clinical presence, steadies your nervous system, and strengthens therapeutic alliance by training attention and awareness as embodied skills, not abstract concepts you explain but cannot model.
MBSR provides the structure, expertise and community that empowers you to access and embody the skills and practices of Mindfulness for yourself and for your clients.
Kelly S., MSW
"This program taught me how to pause and be okay with just feeling. It gave me the space to act rather than react impulsively, to come back to the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future."
Mark R., LMFT
"Colette is truly exceptional at what she does. She led the class with an authenticity and vulnerability that not only made me feel safe but also showed me that it's okay to sit with discomfort."
Amie D., Psychologist
"I feel more confident guiding my clients in mindfulness practices, and I’ve gained lifelong tools to manage my own stress.”
MBSR takes Mindfulness Beyond Buzzwords
both personally and professionally
Here's What to Expect
1. An evidence-based, experiential framework
A structured yet flexible program, MBSR guides you through a series of meditation and mindfulness practices designed to help you deeply connect with your own inner resources. It offers you a new lens through which to understand stress and develop your capacity to manage it for yourself and teach your clients to do the same.
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2. Compassionate, Expert Guidance
I am Certified as an MBSR Instructor through the University of San Diego's Center for Mindfulness, a Nationally Board Certified Health Wellness Coach specializing in Neuroplastic Pain Recovery, and and have background in Public Health. My approach to facilitating strives to bring humility and humor to our common, human experience, and is grounded in my own practice and personal familiarity with emotional upheaval and chronic illness.
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3. A Supportive Community of Like-Minded Peers
Although mindfulness is a personal practice, each MBSR class blossoms into a tightly-knit, supportive community. The bonds between practitioners form quickly, and are fortified by our collective exploration of stress and relief—universal experiences that unite us on a profoundly human level.
Your 8 week MBSR journey
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.
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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.
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MBSR is Applied Mindfulness
both personally and professionally
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.
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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).
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In addition to class time, participants are invited and encouraged to spend up to 30 minutes daily practicing at home, both with and without the support of recorded meditations.
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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.
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What is the financial investment?
The investment for the full 8 week course, including 24 hours of live contact time, CUEs, materials and recorded practices is just $375.00
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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.
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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 your class is online, your retreat will be online. If your class is in person, your retreat will be in person.
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The retreat day is synchronous and online so that everyone can participate.
It is an invitation to clear your calendar for the day and spend it together in practice. It's a rare chance to step out of your usual routine and spend a full day (9-4) tending to the present moment. You're asked to put aside other commitments and communicate to friends and family that you will be unavailable for the day.
If this feels daunting, you're not alone. Most people have never done anything like this before and have some reservations. And. It is often students' favorite part of the class. Consider the luxury of setting it all down for a full day. What might open up in all that space?
We start with an opening circle and then move in to a series of silent practices alternating between sitting and moving. There is a 60m lunch break for a mindful meal, remaining in silence and attentive to the moment. At 3, we start our closing circle and we wrap up at 4:00.
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Does taking this 8-week MBSR course qualify me to teach MBSR?
No. However, it does qualify as one of the prerequisites for applying to pursue MBSR teacher training. More information about UCSD's program Here and Brown University's Program Here.
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.​
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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.
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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.
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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.