CALM is an 8-week program for teenagers 14-18 years old co-created by Stefanie Goldstein, Ph.D. and Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. The program is inspired by Jon Kabat-Zinn’s extensively researched Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program. With more than 30 years of research MBSR has proven to be an effective model in developing coping strategies in managing stress and restoring health and balance to one’s life.
In today’s world, teens are under more pressure and experiencing more stress than ever before. Between the increasing demands of academic life, extracurricular activities, peer relationships, family relationships, technology, and the pressure of the “future,” teens are often left feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depressed, and irritable.
CALM teaches teens how to more effectively deal with change, stress, disappointments, and overwhelming emotions. This program gives teens the ability to learn how to slow down, make more thoughtful decisions, and live in the present without their lens of judgment.
In this class teens will learn to:
- Handle life situations with less emotional reactivity
- Strengthen their ability to pay attention and focus
- Learn effective strategies for making wiser decisions
- Increase compassion for themselves and others
This eight-week class is highly interactive and meets weekly for 1.5 hours and includes a half-day long retreat. It includes training in mindfulness through the practices of sitting and walking meditation and gentle yoga and movement. Teens will learn skills for emotion regulation and stress reduction.
The class will also include discussion and reflection to help integrate their experiences. The participants are asked to practice mindful meditation or mindful movement for 15 to 30 minutes a day with instructional audios. An intensive teacher-participant relationship helps the participant integrate the teaching into her or his specific life situations and can really make the practice his
or her own.
To learn more about CALM or about getting CALM into your school or organization contact Dr. Goldstein.