Center for Mindfulness

Center Base Path
mindfulness

The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion

The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion (SC-MSC) is a six-week adaptation of the empirically supported eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, designed to introduce the core skills of self-compassion with a reduced time commitment. Developed by Kristin Neff, PhD, a pioneering researcher in self-compassion, and Christopher Germer, PhD, a leader in mindfulness- and compassion-based psychotherapy, SC-MSC offers a focused and accessible entry point into this work.

MBRP Landing

MINDFULNESS-BASED RELAPSE PREVENTION (MBRP) AT UC SAN DIEGO

An 8-week program combining mindfulness meditation with relapse prevention techniques to help people in recovery from substance use disorders, recognizing, managing discomfort, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

WHAT IS MBRP

MBRP is an evidence-based program integrating mindful meditation with cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention strategies. Designed for
individuals in recovery from substance use disorders, MBRP helps participants develop awareness for internal triggers, cravings, and automatic
behaviors, teaching them to respond skillfully rather than reactively.


Designed for clinicians and professionals, MBRP equips facilitators to lead structured group sessions supporting clients in developing awareness,
resilience, and healthy coping skills. By integrating mindfulness and relapse prevention, the program promotes long-term recovery and fosters
a mindful, balanced approached to life.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Licensed Clinicians

  • Currently licensed in mental health discipline (eg., psychology, counseling, social work)
  • Seeking to expand clinical practice to include MBRP
  • Intention to deliver mindfulness based interventions directly

Clinical Trainees

  • Graduate students, interns, and supervised trainees planning on delivering MBRP in clinical settings
  • Researchers, administrators, or allied professionals
  • Interested in MBRP for professional development

Mindfulness Professionals

  • Maintaining a regular meditation practice
  • Established personal mindfulness practice
  • Committed to integrating mindfulness principles professionally

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Advanced degree in a mental health–related field (e.g., psychology, social work, counseling), or current enrollment in clinical training.

  • Established personal mindfulness meditation practice, with prior training in Vipassana/Insight Meditation preferred.

  • Commitment to ongoing daily meditation practice.

  • Familiarity with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.

  • Understanding of addiction models and experience working with substance use or addictive behaviors.

  • Experience facilitating group processes.

  • Attendance (prior or planned) at a teacher-led silent residential mindfulness retreat (5–10 days).

What are the benefits?

👁️ Trigger Awareness

Identify internal and external cues that lead to cravings

🧘 Impulse Control

Observe cravings without impulsive reactivity

💢 Distress Tolerance

Tolerate discomfort effectively and responding consciously

💪 Mindful Resilience

Apply mindfulness with cognitive-behavioral techniques

📅 Daily Awareness

Apply mindfulness to everyday activities and triggers

⚖️ Balance & Self-Care

Integrating mindful everyday living for long-term recovery

🛡️ Relapse Prevention

Integrating mindful everyday living for long-term recovery

🛠️ Mindful Maintenance

Plan for ongoing mindfulness practices and relapse prevention

Expectations & Requirements

Curriculum Exercises

Students enrolled in the MBRP course will learn mindfulness techniques through various exercises and practices. Here are some examples of exercises in the curriculum:

Experiential Learning
  • Mindfulness meditation, query and role-playing
Skills-Based Framework
  • Integrating mindfulness and cognitive behavioral relapse prevention strategies
Group-Based Training
  • Delivered in a cohort format with guided discussion and practice
Practice-Oriented
  • Emphasis on applying skills during and between sessions

Commitments

Participation in the MBRP Teacher Training requires a dual commitment: to professional clinical excellence and to sustained personal mindfulness practice. The training assumes that effective teaching emerges from lived experience, disciplined practice, and ethical responsibility to clients in recovery.

If accepted and enrolled, participants commit to:

  • Maintaining a daily mindfulness practice, including full participation in meditation, mindful movement, and retreat components.

  • Bringing professional readiness, including clinical training, familiarity with CBT and addiction models, and experience with group facilitation.

  • Engaging fully in experiential learning, including role-play, inquiry, teaching practice, and feedback integration.

  • Upholding ethical and culturally responsive standards in alignment with professional and CME guidelines.

  • Completing all training requirements, including attendance, required readings, and adherence to registration and payment policies.

  • Continuing ongoing development, including residential retreat participation and sustained personal practice beyond the training.

  • Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictive Behaviors: A Clinician’s Guide — Bowen, Chawla, Grow & Marlatt
  • Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders — Katie Witkiewitz, PhD; G. Alan Marlatt, PhD; Denise Walker, PhD

  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, Second Edition — Zindel V. Segal; J. Mark G. Williams; John D. Teasdale
  • Mindfulness and Psychotherapy — Germer C; Siegel RD; Fulton P (eds.)
  • Mindful Recovery — Bein & Bein
  • One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps — Kevin Griffin
  • The Mindful Brain — Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.
  • Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness — Jon Kabat-Zinn
  • The Wise Heart — Jack Kornfield, Ph.D.
  • Radical Acceptance — Tara Brach

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Program Content Type Here

Continuing Education Credit

Psychologists:

  • Sponsored by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness
  • 26.0 CE credits
  • APA-approved

Nurses:

  • Approved by California Board of Registered Nursing (Provider CEP16351)
  • 31.0 contact hour

FAQ

While you are asked to note specific food restrictions on your registration application, if there are any additional food or medical concerns we should be aware of please let us know of these in advance so we may assist you.

Check the “Schedule and Required Reading” page of the specific training you are registered to attend.

This training is taught in a retreat format, which means there is a great deal of mindfulness practice embedded in the training, and we want to reiterate that now so you are not surprised when you get here. The venue very much facilitates this format; we will meet, eat and be housed in a relatively secluded area. There are no other large groups planned in the center that week so it should be relatively quiet and secluded. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but not by any means luxurious. As you probably noted on the website, you will have a roommate. In most cases several of you will share a dorm-style bathroom nearby.

If it is at all possible, please bring a meditation cushion (zafu) and a yoga mat. We will have a few cushions but not enough to go around, so if you have one and can squeeze it into your luggage or bring it as a carry-on please consider doing so. It is always advisable to check the weather forecast prior to traveling, to help guide you in proper clothing choices.

The relatively remote location makes security a minor concern, but we do want people to know that with shared sleeping quarters and very limited availability of keys to lock rooms, we highly recommend leaving valuable items at home to reduce the possibility of anything being lost or stolen. Certainly some of us will have vehicles where such items can be secured if this is necessary.

The retreat center is often booked both right before and right after our training, so arriving early or staying an extra night or two after the retreat is over is not likely to be a possibility. You can of course arrange to stay at lodging near the retreat center if you would like to extend your stay. Contact us directly at mindfulness@ucsd.edu to make such arrangements.

See our LOCATIONS page for details about travel to the retreat centers and preferred airports. The UCSD Center for Mindfulness will set up a Ride Share Bulletin Board in coordinating shuttle rides for those arriving by air at local airports.

Please do not expect consistent or reliable wireless internet service at the retreat center. Because of the retreat nature of the training, it is advisable to leave your computer at home; however, we recognize that computer use may sometimes be necessary. Most cellular phones will work in this location. That said, there will be limited opportunities to use them. We recommend informing anyone who may need to contact you about these limitations in advance.

We will begin checking people into the retreat at 1:00 pm on the first day of the training. It may be possible to arrive before 1:00 pm and have access to your room; however, we ask that you plan to arrive no later than 5:00 pm so we can begin with the full group in attendance at dinnertime. The retreat will conclude by 1:00 pm on the last day, so please plan your travel accordingly. While circumstances may arise that require leaving earlier than noon on the final day, we strongly urge you to avoid doing so if at all possible.

6-Week Mindful Performance and Resilience @ Work

The UCSD Center for Mindfulness offers a transformative 6-week online program designed specifically for workplace professionals in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. The Mindful Performance and Resilience @ Work program equips participants with practical tools to combat burnout and restore balance in their professional and personal lives. Through highly experiential, interactive sessions, you’ll learn to sharpen focus, manage distractions, and break free from autopilot reactions to make goal-aligned decisions.

Helen Hyun-Chung Kim Profile

First Name
Helen
Last Name
Kim
Institution Affiliation
UC San Diego
Headshot Image
Helen Hyun-Chung Kim
Titles
Certified MBSR Teacher, Certified MBCT Teacher
Focus Areas
Compassion
Mental Health
Mindfulness
Organizational Roles
Instructor
Staff
Short Bio

Helen Hyun-Chung Kim is a Certified MBSR and MBCT teacher and former psychiatrist. She brings deep compassion and clinical insight to her mindfulness teaching, supporting healing, awareness, and self-discovery.

Bio

Helen Hyun-Chung Kim is a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy teacher. In her previous life she was a board-certified psychiatrist in Korea for 15 years, serving underserved communities. During that time she witnessed profound suffering in her patients and felt drawn toward mindfulness and self-compassion as paths toward healing.

With guidance from founding director Dr. Steve Hickman, Helen joined UC San Diego’s Center for Mindfulness, where she studied a range of mindfulness-based programs with many respected teachers. Through this journey she developed a grounded foundation rooted in awareness, acceptance, ease, and compassion.

Helen is committed to sharing what she has learned with others on their own paths of healing and self-discovery, offering a warm, steady presence shaped by both clinical experience and contemplative practice.

Cheryl Shah

First Name
Cheryl
Last Name
Shah
Institution Affiliation
UC San Diego
Headshot Image
Cheryl Shah
Titles
Workplace Program Co-Director, Certified MBSR Teacher, Certified MSC Teacher
Focus Areas
Compassion
Mindfulness
Professional Training
Stress Management
Organizational Roles
Instructor
Program Lead
Staff
Short Bio

Cheryl Shah is a Certified MBSR and MSC teacher and Workplace Program Co-Director with more than 20 years of corporate leadership experience. She brings mindfulness and self-compassion into real-world professional settings, helping individuals build resilience, clarity, and balance.

Bio

Cheryl has over 20 years of finance and corporate experience in leadership roles, working in a high-demanding career while raising two daughters. The daily stress she faced led her to conclude there must be a better way to live and work. She witnessed firsthand the negative impacts of long work hours, stress, and pressure on individuals and the emotional and mental pain suffered in the workplace.

Her extensive professional background informs her teaching, making her an accessible and compassionate guide who translates mindfulness and compassion into language that feels relevant and practical.

Cheryl first discovered meditation in college when her wandering mind created difficulties in her studies. She later learned about mindfulness through Mindful Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in 2005 and pursued Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) in 2010. She attended a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat in Joshua Tree in 2013 and continues retreat practice annually.

She embodies mindfulness and self-compassion through daily practice, emphasizing the power of pausing to respond with intention. Cheryl ultimately left her finance career to launch Simply Pause, supporting others in changing their relationship with stress and cultivating wiser, more compassionate lives.

Mindful Performance Enhancement, Awareness & Knowledge (mPEAK)

An 8-week mindfulness training course designed to help individuals achieve personal and professional goals through enhancing focus, resilience, and performance. mPEAK may be right for you if you are:

  • an athlete or performer
  • a business or organizational professional
  • a healthcare worker or first responder
  • seeking tools for managing stress and pressure
  • interested in applying mindfulness to peak performance

WHAT IS MPEAK?

The mPEAK program is built around latest brain research and aims to enhance mindfulness through established and empirically supported practices and exercises, tailored to fit the needs and desires of a team, organization or individual. Mindfulness is effective precisely because it is a way of being and relating to all aspects of life, rather than a specific technique or tool for a particular goal. It is built on the foundation of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) which you can learn more about here, and integrates mindfulness practices with performance science to support optimal performance, “flow,” and sustained well-being.

The standard mPEAK program includes: An intensive 3-day training, six weeks of virtual integration sessions, group dialogue, guided practices, and applied exercises. The curriculum may be customized for teams, organizations, or specific professional settings.

TESTIMONIALS

mPeak is grounded in:

  • The empirically supported MBSR program
  • Current neuroscience research regarding optimal performance
  • Collaboration with the US National BMX Cycling Team in 2014, UC San Diego neuroscientists Drs. Lori Haase and Martin Paulu, and the UCSD Center for Mindfulness Founding Director, and former Managing director.

“I went for a mountain bike ride in the pouring rain and focused on what I was feeling: the rain on my skin, my breath ,the cold, the burn in my legs. Once I acknowledged it, it began to fade. I focused on each pedal stroke and steady climb instead of worrying about the next hill or how far I still had to go.”

“On days when I feel unbeatable, there’s a heightened awareness of everything around me. I’m more in tune with my body. When that happens, I don’t worry about anything, just what I’m feeling in the moment. That focus allows me to trust myself completely and perform without hesitation.”

“A huge benefit of mPEAK was learning to be more present in competition and daily life. I worry less and take the time I need to decide. In racing there’s no room for hesitation, and being present has helped me make better moves on the track. I notice when my mind wanders and bring it back calmly.”

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Pillar One

Inhabiting Your Body and Rooting into Presence

Participants develop mindful awareness of the body as the foundation for attention, including breath, physical sensations, and movement.

Pillar Three

Dancing with pain and working with difficulty

Participants learn to relate skillfully to pain, fear, stress, and failure, using mindfulness as a grounding resource rather than avoidance.

Pillar Two

Getting out of your own way and Letting go

This section addresses challenges such as mind-wandering, unhelpful thinking patterns, and performance-related “stories” that interfere with focus.

Pillar Three

Pitfalls of Perfection and the Glitch in goals

Participants develop mindful awareness of the body as the foundation for attention, including breath, physical sensations, and movement.

Program content goes here

FAQ

A refund of your registration payment (minus your $100 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for participants who withdraw prior to the start of the 1st class by emailing mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu.

If you decide to cancel after the 1st session and before the 2nd session starts, 50% of your registration payment will be refunded. No refunds will be made after the 2nd session starts.

Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to the In-Person Programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

The refunds are processed in the same method as the payments were submitted (unless past 180 days).

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to the In-Person Programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

The refunds are processed in the same method as the payments were submitted (unless past 180 days).

UC San Diego Employees may take the course for $845 (or $795 if you pay in full 30 days prior to the start of class).

UC San Diego Athletics Employees and Students may take the course for $ 500. Please email us at mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu.

First Responders / Law Enforcement Professionals may take the course for $ 500. Please email us at mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu.

In order to make this program available to interested organizations and individuals outside of the San Diego area, we will offer the program as a package to sponsoring organizations, companies and teams in a package similar to its original form. Our trainers will come to your location for the 3-day intensive training retreat and then all participants will be eligible to attend six weekly 60-minute online video follow-up sessions hosted by one or more of those trainers.

Please contact us at mpeak@ucsd.edu for information about scheduling, pricing, and adaptations of the program to suit your particular needs. We welcome inquiries regarding disseminating the mPEAK program within a larger organization that may entail a “train the trainers” model and ongoing support of trainers in various ways.

If you are interested in receiving more information about how you might arrange for our trainers to offer the mPEAK program in your organization or geographical area in an intensive format or to explore options for professional training so that you or others can teach the program, please contact us at mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu or follow the link below for more information.

mPEAK Coaching will introduce you to all the formal mindfulness practices offered in the mPEAK course as well as the specific tools and exercises that are most relevant to your personal performance goals. For information on mPEAK Coaching packages go to the  mPEAK Coaching page.

MBCT Landing Page

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) at UC San Diego

An evidence-based, 8-week program that combines mindfulness practice with cognitive therapy skills to help individuals reduce depression and anxiety relapse and build resilience in daily life.

Designed for individuals seeking a structured, research-supported approach to relapse prevention and long-term mental health.

What is MBCT?

Integrated Approach

This program blends mindfulness meditation with cognitive therapy techniques to help you notice and disengage from habitual thought patterns that fuel stress, anxiety, and low mood.

By combining awareness and skillful response, MBCT supports lasting emotional resilience rather than quick fixes.

Eight-Week Program

Delivered over eight structured weeks, this experiential course builds skills gradually through guided practices, reflection, and home exercises.

The extended format allows time to develop sustainable habits that support long-term well-being and relapse prevention.

Research-Supported Design

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is a well-established, evidence-based approach shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress, and to be as effective as antidepressant medication in preventing relapse.

The program is grounded in decades of clinical research and developed by leading experts in mindfulness and psychology.

What you’ll learn and practice

Recognizing Thought Patterns

Learn to notice habitual thought patterns and mental reactions that can contribute to stress, anxiety, or low mood, without getting caught up in them.

Responding Instead of Reacting

Develop skills to pause and respond more intentionally to difficult thoughts and emotions, rather than reacting automatically.

Mindfulness Practices

Practice guided mindfulness exercises that build awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the present moment.

Relapse Prevention Skills

Learn strategies to recognize early warning signs and support long-term mental health and resilience over time.

WHO MBCT is for

Who MBCT Is For                 

MBCT is designed for individuals who have experienced depression or anxiety and want structured tools to reduce relapse risk.

It is appropriate for people who are willing to engage in mindfulness practice and reflective exercises over time.

Participants should be comfortable working with thoughts and emotions in a group-based learning environment.

PBR Course Learning Objectives

MBCT is not a crisis intervention or a substitute for acute mental health treatment. It may not be appropriate for individuals seeking immediate symptom relief without ongoing practice.

Those currently experiencing severe or unmanaged mental health symptoms should consult a clinician before enrolling.

If you’re unsure whether MBCT is appropriate, we recommend speaking with a clinician or reviewing the FAQs below.

Instructors

Team Member Content Type Here

Upcoming Programs

Schedule Content Type Here

FAQ

MBCT is an evidence-based, 8-week program that combines mindfulness meditation with cognitive therapy to help people manage stress, anxiety, and low mood. It teaches practical skills to recognize unhelpful thought patterns, respond more skillfully to challenges, and reduce the risk of depressive relapse.

This course is ideal for individuals who experience ongoing stress, anxiety, low mood, or recurring negative thinking patterns. Participants are expected to attend at least 80% of sessions, engage in home practice, and are encouraged to participate in a daylong silent retreat to gain the full benefit of the program.

Yes. MBCT is supported by extensive clinical research and has been shown to be as effective as antidepressant medication in preventing depressive relapse. The program is led by the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness and offers optional continuing education credits for psychologists, nurses, and licensed mental health professionals.

MBSR Landing

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

An evidence-based program to reduce stress, build resilience, and support well-being

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an 8-week, structured group program designed to help individuals manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and cultivate greater awareness in daily life. Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and offered worldwide, MBSR is grounded in scientific research and taught in a secular, accessible format.

 

At UC San Diego, MBSR is offered through experienced, trained instructors and is suitable for individuals from all backgrounds—no prior meditation experience required.

What is MBSR?

MBSR is a standardized mindfulness training program that combines guided meditation, gentle movement, and group dialogue to help participants develop practical skills for navigating stress and life challenges.

MBSR is not therapy and does not require adherence to any belief system. It is a skills-based program focused on awareness, attention, and resilience.

The MBSR program includes:

  • Eight weekly live group sessions

  • Guided mindfulness practices

  • Daily home practice

  • One full-day retreat

  • A supportive group learning environment

Who is this program for?

Individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, burnout

Healthcare workers and caregivers

Anyone managing chronic pain or illness

People seeking mindful resilience

What You'll Learn & Experience

Learning Objectives

  • Helen will send updated LOs

Core Practices

  • Mindful breathing

  • Body scan meditation

  • Sitting meditation

  • Gentle mindful movement

  • Informal mindfulness in daily activities

These practices are designed to be learned, practiced, and applied in daily life, supporting the key skills and outcomes.

Skills Developed & Outcomes

  • Greater awareness of stress patterns

  • Improved emotional regulation

  • Increased attention and focus

  • Self-compassion and patience

  • The ability to respond rather than react

These skills are designed to be integrated into everyday life, both during and after the program.

Program Structure

  • Duration: 8 weeks

  • Session Length: Typically 2–2.5 hours per week

  • Home Practice: Approximately 45 minutes per day

  • Retreat: One full-day session during the program

  • Format: Offered online and/or in person (varies by cohort)

Specific schedules, formats, and costs vary by program offering.

Our Evidence-Based Approach

MBSR is one of the most widely studied mindfulness programs. Research has shown that participation is associated with improvements in:

MBSR was originally developed to help individuals better understand and respond to stress. Research consistently shows that participants report significant reductions in perceived stress after completing the program.

Rather than eliminating stressors, MBSR helps participants recognize habitual stress reactions and develop greater awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. This increased awareness supports more adaptive responses to challenging situations, both during and after the program.

Multiple studies have found that participation in MBSR is associated with reductions in anxiety symptoms and improvements in mood. These outcomes are observed across diverse populations, including individuals experiencing work-related stress, health-related anxiety, and general emotional distress.

MBSR emphasizes present-moment awareness and non-judgmental observation, which can help participants relate differently to anxious thoughts and emotional patterns, reducing their intensity and impact over time.

MBSR has been widely studied among individuals living with chronic pain and long-term health conditions. While the program does not aim to eliminate pain or cure illness, research indicates that participants often experience improvements in pain coping, stress related to symptoms, and overall functioning.

By cultivating mindful awareness of physical sensations and emotional responses, participants may develop greater flexibility and resilience in how they relate to discomfort and health challenges.

Studies suggest that MBSR participation is associated with improvements in overall quality of life, including greater emotional balance, increased self-compassion, and improved daily functioning.

Participants often report feeling more present, better able to manage daily demands, and more connected to their personal values. These changes can support long-term well-being beyond the duration of the program.

Registration Fees

Update with Fees and Registration details.

MBSR was originally developed to help individuals better understand and respond to stress. Research consistently shows that participants report significant reductions in perceived stress after completing the program.

Rather than eliminating stressors, MBSR helps participants recognize habitual stress reactions and develop greater awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. This increased awareness supports more adaptive responses to challenging situations, both during and after the program.

Multiple studies have found that participation in MBSR is associated with reductions in anxiety symptoms and improvements in mood. These outcomes are observed across diverse populations, including individuals experiencing work-related stress, health-related anxiety, and general emotional distress.

MBSR emphasizes present-moment awareness and non-judgmental observation, which can help participants relate differently to anxious thoughts and emotional patterns, reducing their intensity and impact over time.

MBSR has been widely studied among individuals living with chronic pain and long-term health conditions. While the program does not aim to eliminate pain or cure illness, research indicates that participants often experience improvements in pain coping, stress related to symptoms, and overall functioning.

By cultivating mindful awareness of physical sensations and emotional responses, participants may develop greater flexibility and resilience in how they relate to discomfort and health challenges.

Studies suggest that MBSR participation is associated with improvements in overall quality of life, including greater emotional balance, increased self-compassion, and improved daily functioning.

Participants often report feeling more present, better able to manage daily demands, and more connected to their personal values. These changes can support long-term well-being beyond the duration of the program.

MBSR Instructors

UC San Diego MBSR programs are led by instructors who have completed formal MBSR teacher training and bring extensive experience in mindfulness-based education.

Upcoming Courses

Dynamic content with Courses List here.

Cassandra Vieten Profile

First Name
Cassandra
Last Name
Vieten
Credentials (Display)
PhD
Institution Affiliation
UC San Diego
REACH Roles
Leadership
Co-PI
Mentor
Scientist
UCSD REACH Team
Headshot Image
Cassandra Vieten, PhD
Titles
Clinical Professor, Family Medicine; Director, Center for Mindfulness
Focus Areas
Compassion
Mental Health
Mindfulness
Research Areas
Mind-body interventions, mindfulness, compassion science
Research Profile URL
https://profiles.ucsd.edu/cassandra.vieten
Organizational Roles
Admin
Clinician
Faculty
Instructor
Researcher
Staff
Short Bio

Cassandra Vieten, PhD, is Clinical Professor and Director of the Center for Mindfulness at the Centers for Integrative Health in the Department of Family Medicine at UC San Diego. Her research focuses on mindfulness-based interventions, spirituality and health, and transformative experiences that support emotional well-being.

Bio

Cassandra Vieten is Clinical Professor and Director of the Center for Mindfulness at the Centers for Integrative Health in the Department of Family Medicine at UC San Diego. She is also Director of Research at the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination and Clinical Psychology Director at the Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative at UCSD. She is Senior Advisor of the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation where she served as Executive Director from 2019-2023, and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, where she served as President from 2013-2019.

Her research has focused on spirituality and health, transformative experiences and practices, the development of mindfulness-based interventions for emotional well-being, and development of media technologies to inspire awe. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, and completed her research training in behavioral genetics at UC San Francisco. She has authored three books, published numerous articles in scientific journals, and is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and workshop leader.

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