Over the last few months, we’ve been closely monitoring developments related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Because we want to safeguard your health and well being, and that of our staff and faculty, we’ve decided to hold the training online.
Course Information
Professional Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine
Course Directors
About the Training
In partnership with UNLV School of Medicine, CMBM will leverage 3 years of grass-roots community outreach mind body skills groups, resilience building workshops and conversations with social service providers and stakeholders university-wide to train the next 150 people to bring this work to the Las Vegas community. CMBM’s educational approach focuses on individual and group strengths and capacity for self-reliance. It gives participants an opportunity to share their experiences and encourages them to discover their psychological strengths and sources of support. It is non-stigmatizing and has been demonstrated to be effective with people of all ages and levels of education in a variety of cultures and populations.
Our Professional Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine is the first step in your journey towards Certification in Mind-Body Medicine. Join the thousands of health professionals who are serving millions of people across the globe. It would be our privilege and joy to have you join our community of healers.
What You Will Learn
CMBM’s 5-day Professional Training Program (PTP), to be delivered online, provides a comprehensive foundation for CMBM’s approach through didactic instruction on the scientific basis for the model as well as small and large group experiences of mind-body techniques. The training includes extensive material on the biology and psychology of stress and trauma and on the research supporting the CMBM approach. Participants will have the opportunity to practice the skills they learn in CMBM’s supportive Mind-Body Skills Group model. After this training, participants will be prepared to use the skills they have learned with their students, staff, clients, patients, parishioners, colleagues, families and others in their community.
Want more information?
Many questions can be answered on the Frequently Asked Questions page. If you have additional questions, complete the contact form and our Program Manager, Katy Orobello, korobello@cmbm.org, will be in touch with you.
Tuition
Schedule
Please note that the training schedule is still being finalized.
The program schedule will operate under Pacific time zone. This is a professional training program, full attendance is required except in rare, unforeseen circumstances.
Continued Education Credits
Pending approval. More information will be added soon, please check back for updates.
Approved Continuing Education Credits
FAQs
What is Mind-Body Medicine?
Mind-body medicine is based on the scientific understanding of the inextricable connection among our thoughts, sensations and feelings, and our mind, body, and spirit – between ourselves and the social and natural world in which we live. It focuses on the interactions between mind and body; and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social and spiritual factors can directly relieve stress and improve health. It is used with individuals, groups, and entire populations.
Mind-body skills are scientifically validated to reduce stress and restore physical and psychological health. The mind-body approach heals individual trauma and builds community-wide resilience.
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM) approach to wellness is grounded in practical, evidence-based skills for self-care, self-awareness, and group support. It emphasizes an approach that respects and enhances each person’s capacity for self-knowledge and self-care.
What’s the science behind it?
Mind-body approaches use the conscious mind to directly affect the workings of the brain and the rest of the body. The techniques exert their effect on the hypothalamus, the switching station in the brain, which exercises control over the autonomic nervous system (which controls heart rate, blood pressure etc.), the endocrine (glandular) system and the immune system.
The scientific literature on these approaches is now rich and robust. Studies dating from the late 1960’s have shown the power of mind-body techniques to balance the over-activity of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (“the fight or flight” and “stress” responses) which is implicated in many physical and emotional diseases and conditions, with parasympathetic nervous system stimulation that promotes relaxation.
More recently, these techniques have been demonstrated to create beneficial changes in many of the body’s physiological responses (including blood pressure, stress hormone levels, pain response and immune functioning) and to make a significant clinical difference in conditions as diverse as hypertension, HIV, cancer, chronic pain, and insomnia as well as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
What are the participation guidelines?
- Commitment to punctual attendance for all 5 days. This is a training program‐‐we ask for a commitment from you to attend the entire training program, including all didactic and group sessions, except in rare, unforeseen circumstances. This is especially important for small group sessions as your presence and participation impacts the others and the group process as a whole.
- Virtual Presence for small group sessions – Web camera & microphone must be active throughout the small group sessions as this is a vital factor towards group cohesion.
- Willingness to engage in experiential exercises and active participation during live large and small group sessions.
- Understanding that the training may evoke strong emotions. The training includes sharing of thoughts, experiences, and emotions in yourself and being present to others.
- Responsibility to keep all information shared in the small groups confidential. In this virtual setting, demonstrating respect for the other group members means:
- Participant will refrain from joining small group sessions in a public space or where others can see or hear the group activity.
- Participant will not share Adobe login information with others.
- Recording (both audio and video/screenshots) is strictly prohibited.
- Note: An important exception to this confidentiality rule is if any individual expresses an intent to harm themselves or others, in which case, CMBM would be required to take immediate, additional action in support of the situation.
How do I prepare a private space for participation?
- You should participate in the training from a quiet location where you will not be distracted by household or work disturbances such as phones, pets, children, etc. Important: A private space away from others is required during small group sessions. This will help support a safe, confidential environment for sharing in the group.
- Headphones are strongly recommended during small group sessions to minimize audio feedback (static, echo etc) and so that others in the home will not overhear the group sharing.
- You should be mindful of your background and check your lighting. We recommend avoiding sitting with your back towards a bright window.
What are the technology requirements?
- You will need consistently reliable and quality internet connection.
- Using a desktop or laptop computer is strongly recommended. A phone or tablet can be used as a backup if your primary device fails.
- It is also required to have a web camera (built in or external), microphone (built in or external) and headphones in order to participate in small groups and other live sessions. Web camera, microphone, and headphone use is required throughout the small group sessions as this is a vital factor in the group experience.
- We will be using Adobe Captivate Prime as our learning management & Zoom as our video conferencing technology. Closer to the program date, you will receive instructions for using these systems.
Who is the Center for Mind-Body Medicine?
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM) was founded in 1991 by James S. Gordon, MD, a former researcher at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, a clinical professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at Georgetown Medical School, and former chair of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. Over the last 25 years, CMBM’s 160 global faculty members and 5,000 trained clinicians, educators, and community leaders have successfully brought programs of self-care and group support to schools and universities, hospitals and clinics, social welfare agencies, and community-based organizations around the world. Programs have been implemented in areas touched by conflict, terrorism and natural disasters abroad in Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Israel, Gaza, Haiti, as well as in post-Katrina southern Louisiana and with US Military returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The CMBM’s work has easily been integrated into and is compatible with different cultures and their belief systems.