Online Independent Modules

Introduction to Secular Meditation | Part I: What is Meditation & Why Does it  “Work” 

This module will explore the benefits of secular meditation and practical, skillful ways to begin using secular practices to support mental, physical, social and emotional wellness. New concepts in neuroscience will help learners understand what’s going on in the brain and nervous system when we are under stress, as well as secular meditation/mindfulness practices.

Introduction to Secular Meditation | Part II: The Window of Tolerance 

Join this learning module to continue building a foundational understanding of why and how secular meditation supports mental, physical, social and emotional health and wellness.  We’ll explore what the “Window of Tolerance” is, and how using our understanding of this supports improvement of nervous system health. We will also engage in 4 unique meditation practices together, as we look to expand our repertoire of options to support us in establishing our own meditation practice.  Plan to learn new skills for “upregulating” and “downregulating” the nervous system, and why this is so beneficial for long term health and wellbeing. Pre-requisite: Introduction to Secular Meditation: Part I

Introduction to Secular Meditation | Part III: Interoception 

Let’s keep going! If you have completed Part I and Part II of Introduction to Secular Meditation, and engaged with a sincere heart, you are well underway of having a skillful meditation practice of your own!  This module invites participants into one of the greatest skills to support self-awareness and emotion regulation – the skill of interoception.  We will examine the cognitive understanding of interoception, and also engage in the practice of interoception together.  The intellectual understanding is good, the experience is what builds the skill!  Plan for 3 unique meditation practices together, including a closing practice that is a bit longer, and very popular in the mindfulness/meditation community – the Body Scan. Pre-requisites: Introduction to Secular Meditation: Part I and Part II

Introduction to Secular Meditation | Part IV: Working with Strong Emotions 

Part IV of an Introduction to Secular Meditation rounds out a thorough foundation for understanding what we’re doing when we meditate, and “why” and “how” it “works”!  In this module we introduce simple ways to engage trauma-informed practices, to support us in working with strong emotions.  Practicing secular meditation on a consistent basis provides unique experiences and it is important to feel safe, steady and secure as new or strong emotions come up.  Whether we experience this in practice or in life, this final module of the introductory series stays committed to sound practices, based in neuroscience, and includes 3 guided practices, including one specifically for working with strong emotions skillfully. Pre-requisites: Introduction to Secular Meditation: Part I, Part II and Part III

Care for Counselors Supporting Youth

Stress, anxiety, and depression are being named more frequently by our young people daily. This module provides an understanding of the effects of stress on the brain and nervous system and a practical approach to mindfulness and meditation practices for our own health and the students we support.

Nervous System Health: Simple Practices to Reset and Repair 

Over time, toxic stress, chronic stress and trauma can negatively impact nervous system health.  This module emphasizes the good news that we have the ability to influence and increase nervous system repair, which directly effects our mental, physical, social and emotional health.  Together we’ll look at how this is so, and we’ll experience 3 unique practices that help us to reset and repair the nervous system.  We are incredibly resourced to be well and here participants are empowered to use mindfulness and meditation practices in a skillful way to cultivate positive change in our health.

Social Engagement System: The Architecture for Feeling Safe in Connections 

We are built for connection and intended for joy.  Biologically this is fact, and our spiritual nature points to the same.  In this module we examine the neuroscience of feeling safe in connection with others, and how we can promote a felt-sense of safety within ourselves and others.  This work is primarily informed by Polyvagal Theory and the works of the great Dr. Stephen Porges.  Our social wellness greatly depends on our nervous system wellness, and together we will learn how to increase both.  We will gain an intellectual understanding of the human social engagement system, and we will experience 3 short mindfulness meditation practices to support us in increasing healthy social engagement.

Strength & Wellness in Leadership: Building Capacity with Secular Meditation 

Understanding our own stress response and working with practical skills to self-regulate allows us to embody our ideals as leaders. Learn how to integrate practical principles of well-being into your daily role as you meet the growing demands of leadership in education. Be ready to gain useful tools through the power of intentional practice from a wellness teacher who has 25 years of experience in the education industry. Participants will delve into mindfulness practices, stress management techniques, and resilience-building exercises tailored to the demands of leadership roles.

Support for Substitute Teachers: Mindfulness & Meditation as a Key Resource 

Substitute teachers have an important role and amazing opportunity to reach students in a unique way! Learning mindfulness practices as a support for our own nervous system regulation also impacts our ability to feel grounded and in connection with those we serve. Learn the effects of stress on the brain and nervous system, and practical self-regulation techniques to induce a sense of wellbeing in yourself, that others feel through their experience of you.  As you become familiar and skilled with these practices, you may even wish to invite others in to short, micro-practices with you. In this module, we’ll explore all of the above and provide simple ways to incorporate these practices into your days.

Working With Youth: The Power of Mindfulness Practice

There are two ways mindfulness practices can impact youth.  One way is through explicit teachings of mindfulness practices. The other is through the embodied nervous system of the adults with whom youth join.  In this learning module we will explore how to be skillful with both, as we learn from neuroscience to support our understanding of how mindfulness practices “work” in the nervous system, and also engage mindfulness practices that invites us into the experience.  There is great power in the felt-sense of regulation and wellbeing, and together we’ll explore ways to experience this with youth.

Moving Through Grief & Loss

This module focuses on working through the tough feelings that come from a loss - helping participants to learn strategies that have helped others and giving them encouragement and tips to help navigate hardships in life. Learners will gain essential skills to provide compassionate assistance, effective communication, and meaningful support to individuals navigating loss.

Your Value and Your Self-Worth

This module is designed to help learners recognize and embrace their intrinsic worth. Through multimedia content and reflective exercises, participants will delve into personal growth or learning their own worth, value, gifts and talents to help them feel more confident in life. 

Growing in Emotional Intelligence & Wellness

This module will address the emotional health needs to help participants heal and grow. Through an engaging multimedia module, participants will acquire practical strategies to elevate their emotional intelligence and cultivate lasting wellness habits. 

Insights Into Behavioral Addictions

This module helps learners understand behavioral addictions, how to prevent problems, and strategies on helping themselves or others who may be struggling. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of various addictive behaviors and will explore the underlying psychological mechanisms, treatment options, and strategies for prevention, empowering individuals and professionals alike to address these challenges effectively.

Overcoming Obstacles- Reducing Stress, Decision Making, & Coping Skills

This module will encourage participants to press onward and learn coping skills that will help them when struggles and obstacles come. Participants will learn effective strategies to navigate stress, enhance decision-making abilities, and bolster coping mechanisms.

Healthy Relationships and Communication

This module provides tips and strategies to allow participants to communicate effectively. Through a blend of multimedia resources and reflection activities, participants will learn effective communication techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and boundary-setting skills to foster strong and fulfilling relationships. 

The Power of Our Words and Actions!

This module will educate participants on how impactful and powerful their words and actions are, and how they can be used as powerful tools to help themselves and others. Learners will uncover the profound influence our words and actions have on themselves and those around them, learn practical strategies for fostering positive communication, build empathy, and create meaningful change in both personal and professional contexts.