Mindfulness, which involves “bringing deliberate and non-judgmental awareness and attention to one’s present moment experience,” is a practice with roots in ancient Buddhist traditions, where it is viewed as a necessary component for the cessation of suffering. Mindfulness is increasingly present in integrated approaches to health and wellness in the form of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs), group-based mindfulness training programs to improve overall well-being. MBIs have been shown to decrease stress and improve health outcomes in underrepresented populations, with research on mindfulness and Latinos showing reductions in smoking, depression, and anxiety, and greater psychological well-being. MBIs may be practiced at home making it efficacious in both improving emotional well-being among Hispanics and engaging otherwise-excluded minorities such as Hispanic immigrants in community-based health promotion. This presentation will include a discussion of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) curriculum, a structured MBI developed in 1979 by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn to decrease stress, substance use and improve overall well-being. The presenter will share a modified version of this curriculum developed for immigrant Latino populations. The presenter will address mindfulness practices that may be incorporated into mental health treatment with Latinas as well as the identified benefits of such practices.
Learning Objectives:
Who should attend? This webinar is designed for mental health providers including psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, and graduate level students in the mental health field.
About the presenter:
Dr. Parra obtained a Physical Therapist degree from Rosario University in Bogota Colombia, Master in Public Health from St. Louis University, PhD in Social Work/Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis, Postdoctoral Fellow in Public Health Nutrition at Sao Paulo University School of Public Health. 200-HR Registered Yoga Teacher, 300-HR IMTA Certified Mindfulness Teacher Professional. Research Assistant Professor at the Brown School Washington University in St. Louis. Research Lead and Mindfulness and Meditation Instructor at Alma y Espiritu. Research on promotion of health and wellness through community-based programs for physical activity, nutrition, yoga, and mindfulness, geared towards marginalized, underrepresented, and oppressed minorities, particularly the Latinx immigrant population in the United States. Significant experience mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds. Diverse background and training in non-traditional methodologies to assess physical activity and diets.