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Introduction | Researchers | Recovery and Mindfulness Resources in San Francisco | Summer 2007 Newsletter
Introduction
The work at the Mind-Body Medicine Research Group is characterized by an abiding interest in how the mind and its attendant thoughts, feelings, psychological constructs, and levels of stress can potentially influence physical and psychological well-being. This group, led by Cassandra Vieten, PhD and John Astin, PhD, is presently focusing its efforts in two areas. First is an ongoing exploration of the value of meditation-based interventions to help prevent relapse from addictive disorders. We are exploring whether cultivating the capacity for greater mindfulness - or the ability to attend to one's present moment experience (thoughts, feelings, sensations, circumstances) with greater openness and acceptance and less habitual reactivity and judgment - can help those recovering from addictions better regulate distressing emotional states and reduce risk for relapse. A second area of interest is exploring the potential value of mindfulness oriented interventions to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance mother-infant attachment during pregnancy and early postpartum. A large body of data has linked stress during pregnancy to a host of negative outcomes including greater likelihood of complications during labor and delivery; higher incidence of postpartum mood problems; and impaired fetal/infant development. Training in mindfulness has shown promise for reducing stress, improving mood, and even enhancing immunity and brain activity associated with a positive outlook on life. Our pilot studies have shown that pregnant women attending the training had reduced stress and negative mood in comparison to women who did not attend the training.
Our work is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health, the California State Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, and the Bella Vista Foundation.
Researchers
John A. Astin, Ph.D.
Research Topics:
The potential value of contemplative practices (e.g., meditation)
to optimize mental and physical health.
Facilitating the integration of the biopsychosocial model in
medical training and practice.
Cassandra Vieten, Ph.D.
Research Topics:
Addictions, emotion regulation,
and mind-body approaches to wellness
Recovery and Mindfulness Resources in San Francisco
If you are in need of mental health services and you live in San Francisco, you can call: 415-255-3737, or 888-246-3333, at any time of the day or night. You should be able to see a counselor within 48 hours.
If you or a loved one are in crisis, you can call the Mobile Crisis Treatment Team. They can talk to you and visit you in your home. They are available Monday through Friday from 11 am -11 pm, or weekends, 12 noon - 7 pm. Their number is: 415-355-8300.
There is also the Westside Crisis drop-in located at 888 Turk Street. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm.
Resources in San Francisco
Summer 2007 Newsletter
Mind-Body Medicine Research Newsletter (PDF format)
