FARMINGTON – Franklin Memorial Hospital is once again offering its intensive nine-session stress reduction program that is designed to teach participants scientifically proven practical skills to reduce stress and improve overall health and happiness. This spring’s program instructor is Dr. Kathleen Hickey.
“The course is designed for adults and the skills gained will help participants apply mindfulness practice to the many life stressors in everyday life,” said Dr. Kathleen Hickey. “Mindfulness means being completely in touch with the present moment in a non judgmental fashion. Several formal mindfulness practices will be taught including very basic yoga; however, no prior experience with yoga is necessary to take the class.”
The course consists of eight consecutive 2.5–3 hour Thursday night sessions and includes an all-day retreat on Saturday, April 9. Participants should be committed to performing one hour of daily practice and homework to learn and practice mindfulness meditation, Hatha yoga, and body scan.
“This course has been incredibly worthwhile for me and would highly recommend it,” a past participant stated. “I really loved this program and looked forward to participating weekly. I have grown to love and look forward to my daily meditation session as I recognize it as a tool to manage my crazy day.”
The cost of the program is based on a sliding scale fee according to household income.
Anyone interested in the program is asked to preregister and complete the prescreening form that is available from the FMH Education Department by calling 779-2381. A mandatory orientation session is taking place on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in the hospital’s Bass Room. After attending the orientation, participants can decide if they would like to move forward with the complete course. Payment will be due at that time for those who wish to continue.
For additional information contact the FMH Education Department by calling 779-2381.
What is Dr. Hickey’s prior training for providing this program? Is she Yoga certified? DBT trained?
At age 49 I was diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis was terrible and I was told that my life was measurable in “months”. During the weeks that followed, the number of decisions I had to make about my health, healthcare, family, friends, work, animals, and LIFE, were so numerous, so gut wrenching, and SO STRESSFUL. I had so much love and support and yet I was still sinking in the quicksand.
I took this class. It helped in so many ways but initially it helped most to calm my insides down, to bring a peace and quiet that enabled me to make decisions for my care and treatment more effectively, without all the noise. I’ve continued the practice of mindfulness. I am dedicated. I am now 51 :)
Thank you Kathleen and Tim.
Thank you Mitra..for your open mindedness, hard work and dedication to living with presence and opens for each moment!
I have had extensive training( over the past 5 years) through the Center for Mindfulness (founded by Dr. Jon Kabat Zin) in teaching the 8 week MBSR( Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) program and I have taught 8, 8 week course courses in our community and in Brunswick. The course does not propose to offer DBT to participants and the yoga that we offer is very basic mindful movement. I feel supported to teach this through my training as well as through my own greater than 10 year practice of yoga under the direction of several teachers.I would be happy to talk with you Mel Plourde if you would like further information about what my training entailed!
It is my hope to offer members of the community who are interested in evidence based tools to manage their stress a safe place in which to do just that.
That definitely answers my question! I think that is valuable information to share when offering courses! Thank you. Thank you Mitra for sharing your testimony!