How I got here

When I was in college, I had a friend who had cancer. Without being able to put it into words I had this feeling that something about his full treatment approach didn’t seem right.   There seemed, to me, to be a disconnect between how the medical community viewed his mind and body. It was as if they were two separate entities.  These observations coupled with what I was learning in the classroom, in particular, the emerging scientific information related to stress and the mind-body connection gave me my “ah ha” moment. ​

Until that moment I was an Exercise Science major, that soon changed.  Combining the teachings from several different schools of study; Exercise Science, Psychology, Physiology and Sociology, I was soon on my way to a Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration in Stress Management.  This course of study provided me a strong foundation as I entered a career in Social Work.  
 
Fast forward 30 years and I found myself at UMass Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness participating in my first Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) class. Although I thought I was taking the class to deepen my professional knowledge, I quickly realized that I was there for myself.  Learning how to pay attention to my own experiences, unfolded for me how I perceive and manage stress.  It was, as they say, life changing.        

Training and Certification

• B.A. with Individual Concentration, Stress Management
• Masters in Social Work
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
• Certified Oncology Social Worker
• Trained and Qualified MBSR Teacher, UMASS Medial School, Center for Mindfulness​​

I have been a clinical social worker for 28 years working in the fields of behavioral health, hospice and oncology. 

​To support my own mindfulness practice and training pathway,  I sit for daily meditation and spend time in silent retreat. I have had a daily mindfulness practice for six years.