Description
Mindfulness and meditation have proven to ease symptoms of anxiety, improve depression, and help regulate the nervous system so that we are better prepared to manage everyday stresses as well as the bigger challenges of life. These stressors impact our lives in different ways that can be subtle or catastrophic. Mindfulness Meditation provides an alternative way to respond to life's stressors and create more spaciousness, joy, and openness throughout daily life.
The group will focus on understanding the basics of Mindfulness Meditation, how to incorporate a practice into your unique life, and practice how to meet an array of challenges, including pain, anger, anxiety, relationships, and overwhelm with grace and calm. Each session will focus on a different topic that will help in acute stressful situations and through "normal" daily challenges.
As a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and Mentor, I have seen the profound impact of Mindfulness Meditation on all aspects of life. As we practice being open and present with pain, we can recognize an enhanced ability to tolerate discomfort and grow confidence to meet future challenges. These benefits can be observed in all areas of one's life, such as improved physical health and emotional wellbeing, stronger and more connected relationships, and more effective and productive capacities.
Group Therapist
Lauren Rosenthal is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist located in Soquel, CA. Lauren works with children, young adults, and adults across a wide range of mental health challenges. Many of her clients become overwhelmed by feelings of helplessness or fear as they navigate major changes, chronic pain, or conflicts in their relationships. She also offers couples’ and family sessions for those who would like to grow their bonds with loved ones and to work through conflict, discomfort, or stress occurring within those relationships.
Lauren teaches clients effective coping strategies to employ when faced with emotional or physical distress. She often brings in concepts from neuroscience to help clients understand what’s happening internally for them, and taps into the mind-body connection through breathwork and Somatic Experience therapy. She also incorporates therapy approaches like Internal Family Systems and attachment-based therapy to provide clients with different perspectives from which to view their challenges. Lauren believes that all individuals have the capacity to make positive change in their lives, and she provides a deep sense of support to her clients as they work towards this change.
Lauren studied extensively with renowned mindfulness instructors Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, fulfilling certification as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. To further trauma informed care, Lauren received certification from Integrative Psychiatry Institute’s Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy program. If traditional psychotherapeutic methods fall short, psychedelic intervention can offer alternative benefits and provide a radical path towards healing.
Lauren believes that therapy is a collaborative process where both the client and the therapist lead one another forwards. Clients begin to notice unhealthy patterns in their behavior and in their thoughts, and learn from Lauren how to practice self-compassion and to avoid the intense feelings of shame that can hold them back from joy and peace.
