“A Relational Mindfulness Pedagogy”
As research continues to be published on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions with youth populations, there is much to be excited about in this emerging field. While this positive, educators, therapists, and other youth workers are still left with the question of how to effectively disseminate mindfulness interventions to create meaningful experiences for the youth they work with. The simple truth is that who we are and the relational dynamics we have with our youth have a strong influence on youth engagement and outcome. In this keynote, Dr. Himelstein will discuss a “Relational Mindfulness Pedagogy” that encompasses strategic awareness of the development of an authentic and mindful relationship alongside the development of self-awareness of youth. Attendees can expect to walk away with a sound philosophical framework and concrete strategies to help young people live the mindful path.
Sam Himelstein, Ph.D., is passionate about working with young people. A formerly incarcerated youth himself, he now works primarily as a psychotherapist at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center (ACJJC) where he was incarcerated as a young teen. Dr. Himelstein has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in the field of mindfulness of youth and two recent books: A Mindfulness-Based Approach to Working with High-Risk Adolescents and Mindfulness-Based Substance Abuse Treatment for Adolescents: A 12-Session Curriculum, both published by Routledge. Dr. Himelstein founded the Center for Adolescent Studies, a multidisciplinary training institute where he trains clinicians, educators, probation personnel and anyone working with adolescents wishing to sharpen their ability to connect, enrich, and make a difference in the lives of young people.
