SW 485 Mindfulness and Social Work Practice
There is a growing interest among therapists of all theoretical orientations for information about “mindfulness,” the cultivation of intentional, present-focused awareness. Mindfulness is a core healing process in psychotherapy and has become a significant influence on contemporary psychotherapy over the past decade. It has been shown to be a key component in many empirically validated interventions like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based cognitive therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. In this 3-credit course, we will examine the history of its development in the west, current neuroscience findings on its effects and the application of mindfulness to a wide range of clinical populations and conditions. The course will ask students to participate in experiential exercises of mindfulness meditation and practice what they’ve learned each week between classes. They will also be asked to embody mindfulness as they learn, ensuring the essential qualities of compassion for self and others in the learning.