Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine (MSTM)
A 4-Session Mindfulness Skill Training Program for Clinicians and Healthcare Professionals
A 4-Session Mindfulness Skill Training Program for Clinicians and Healthcare Professionals
The primary goal of Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine is to introduce healthcare practitioners to five contemplative techniques.
Healthcare professionals might benefit from interventions that increase their self-care, awareness, compassion, and other focused concern and reduce the chances of distress and burnout.
If practiced over time, evidence indicates that clinicians and healthcare providers who engage in contemplative practice may also:
• Enhance the delivery of compassionate care to patients
• Be able to improve clinician-patient interactions
• Foster an internal culture of communications
• Enhance individual health and well-being and clinician self-care
• Integrate mindfulness into all phases of health care
Dr. Werner Absenger created the small group Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine program for clinicians and healthcare professionals program in collaboration with Dr. Kristi Artz.
The 4-session Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine program is rooted in evidence derived from the field of contemplative neuroscience.
The primary goal of Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine is to introduce healthcare practitioners to five contemplative techniques.
Healthcare professionals might benefit from interventions that increase their self-care, awareness, compassion, and other focused concern and reduce the chances of distress and burnout.
If practiced over time, evidence indicates that clinicians and healthcare providers who engage in contemplative practice may also:
• Enhance the delivery of compassionate care to patients
• Be able to improve clinician-patient interactions
• Foster an internal culture of communications
• Enhance individual health and well-being and clinician self-care
• Integrate mindfulness into all phases of health care
Dr. Werner Absenger created the small group Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine program for clinicians and healthcare professionals program in collaboration with Dr. Kristi Artz.
The 4-session Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine program is rooted in evidence derived from the field of contemplative neuroscience.
About Your Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine Faculty
click on an image for more information
Kristi Artz, MD, DipABLM
Dr. Kristi Artz is a practicing physician and educator who brings firsthand knowledge of the unique stressors of the healthcare industry to the MSTM program. She is board certified in Emergency Medicine with clinical focus in the areas of telehealth and lifestyle intervention for disease prevention and reversal.
Caring for patients in critical stages of acute and chronic illness inspired Dr. Artz to pursue certification in lifestyle medicine through the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (dipABLM). She combines her medical expertise and healthcare leadership experience to introduce mindfulness skill training and other lifestyle interventions to fellow healthcare professionals.
Dr. Artz found that her daily practice of mindfulness and yoga improved her well-being and ability to navigate high-stress clinical environments. She enjoys an active, whole food plant-based lifestyle with her husband and three daughters.
Werner Absenger, PhD, MS
As a meditation teacher, I am passionate about immersing myself in rigorous mindfulness and meditation retreats to learn ancient teachings for training the mind.
I also hold a Ph. D. in Mind-Body Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition.
As an expert in mindfulness and contemplative practice, I am committed to providing evidence-based mindfulness skill training to physicians, medical residents, healthcare providers, and the public.
Additionally, formal and informal practices complement my expertise in contemplative and mindfulness techniques supporting healthcare professionals to learn how to increase their self-care and compassion to reduce distress, compassion fatigue, and burnout.
Out of this work, and in collaboration with Dr. Kristi Artz, an emergency room physician, the Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine (MSTM) program was born. Our collaborative approach helps you understand that you are not broken or need fixing or are to blame for burnout in medicine. Together we’ll explore new ways to help you function more skillfully (less reactive) as doctors, APPs, nurses, social workers, etc., in a broken, dysfunctional system.
Get Started Now
| MSTM Course Offerings | Price |
|---|---|
| MSTM Facilitated: Includes Four (4) Live Interactive Webinars Facilitated Online. (Limited Time COVID-19 Pricing).
7 CE credits available. 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ are available to Spectrum Health Employees and affiliated institutions. |
$199 Regularly $225 |
| MSTM Self-Guided: 100% Online, Self-Paced, Home Study Course. | $125 |
Get Started Now
| Plan Options | Price Options |
|---|---|
| Single Payment Limited Time COVID-19 Pricing |
$199.00 Regularly $225 |
What You Will Learn
Make evidence-based contemplative practice an integral part of your life and your practice
Learn the latest scientific evidence for contemplative practice
Experience the mindfulness skill training in medicine model
Start an effective mindfulness practice to bring greater joy to your life and work
Learning Objectives
Describe the theory and practice underlying contemplative practice.
Practice and recognize the role of affective-directed contemplative methods (ADM), null-directed contemplative methods (NDM), and, cognitive-directed contemplative methods (CDM).
Realize the role of emotions and the importance of interoceptive awareness through contemplative practice.
Recognize the importance of spirituality in healing.
Realize the importance of mindful and healthy eating as part of self-awareness and self-care.
Assess how to incorporate contemplative practice in clinical practices and/or teaching.
Who is this Training for?
Physicians & Residents (MD, DO, ND, DC & others)
Physician Assistants
Nurses & Nurse Practitioners
Psychologists
Social Workers
Mental Health Counselors
Emergency Medical Personnel
Occupational Therapists & Physical Therapists
Dietitians & Nutritionists
Administrators of Cancer Care Organizations and Institutes
Evidence-based Core Exercises
Each mindfulness skill training session introduces a unique contemplative practice.
We’ll introduce you to training that has been shown in human neuroscience research to address issues of brain connectivity, plasticity, and subsequent behavior.
Neuroplasticity from long-term practice seems to create both structural and functional brain changes, such as a greater working connection between the amygdala and the regulatory circuits in prefrontal areas.
When you repeatedly engage in mindfulness practice, focused attention practice, open awareness practice, and compassion practice, you promote the firing of a particular neural state pattern.
Contemplative neuroscience research suggests skill development in these areas will enable you to develop an integrated set of traits that can become part of your life.
Evidence-based Core Exercises
Each mindfulness skill training session introduces a unique contemplative practice.
We’ll introduce you to training that has been shown in human neuroscience research to address issues of brain connectivity, plasticity, and subsequent behavior.
Neuroplasticity from long-term practice seems to create both structural and functional brain changes, such as a greater working connection between the amygdala and the regulatory circuits in prefrontal areas.
When you repeatedly engage in mindfulness practice, focused attention practice, open awareness practice, and compassion practice, you promote the firing of a particular neural state pattern.
Contemplative neuroscience research suggests skill development in these areas will enable you to develop an integrated set of traits that can become part of your life.
Program Curriculum
Unit 1: PRE-MSTM Mayo Clinic Well-Being Index Score (WBIS)
Unit 2: VIDEO: A Welcome Message from Dr. Kristi and Dr. Werner
Unit 3: About Your Instructors
Unit 4: Frequently Asked Questions
Unit 5: Articles: The State of the Evidence in Contemplative Neuroscience
Unit 6: Need Additional Help?
Unit 1: VIDEO: PRESENCE Intro
Unit 2: CME/CE Activity: PRESENCE Live Webinar [Mon. 2020-10-05 at 07:15 PM EDT]
Unit 3: Reading: Mini-Review PRESENCE and Selected Articles
Unit 4: AUDIO: PRESENCE: Guided Meditation Practice: Mindfulness of Breathing
Unit 5: AUDIO: Practice: PRESENCE: Guided Meditation Practice: Body Scan
Unit 6: Handout: PRESENCE Home Practice
Unit 1: VIDEO: PERSPECTIVE Intro
Unit 2: CME/CE Activity: PERSPECTIVE Live Webinar [Mon. 2020-10-12 at 07:15 PM EDT]
Unit 3: Reading: Mini-Review PERSPECTIVE and Selected Articles
Unit 4: AUDIO: Guided Meditation Practice: Observing Thoughts Meditation
Unit 5: Handout: PERSPECTIVE Home Practice
Unit 1: VIDEO: COMPASSION Intro
Unit 2: CME/CE Activity: COMPASSION Live Webinar [Mon. 2020-10-19 at 07:15 PM EDT]
Unit 3: Reading: Mini-Review COMPASSION and Selected Articles
Unit 4: AUDIO: Guided Meditation Practice: Lovingkindness Meditation
Unit 5: AUDIO: Guided Meditation Practice: Compassion
Unit 6: Handout: COMPASSION Home Practice
Unit 1: VIDEO: NOURISH Intro
Unit 2: CME/CE Activity: NOURISH Live Webinar [Mon. 2020-10-26 at 07:15 PM EDT]
Unit 3: Reading: Mini-Review NOURISH and Selected Articles
Unit 4: AUDIO: Guided Mindful Eating Experiential Exercises
Unit 5: Handout: NOURISH Home Practice
Unit 1: POST-MSTM Mayo Clinic Well-Being Index Score (WBIS)
Unit 2: Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine Program Evaluation
Unit 3: VIDEO: Thank You From Dr. Kristi & Dr. Werner
Continuing Education Credits
MindbodyMed ACCREDITATION
Co-sponsored by R. Cassidy Seminars, P.O. Box 14473, Santa Rosa, CA 95402.
US states and professional organizations mandate Continuing Education (CE) credits for members of certain professions as part of a license or certification renewal process. Most states require continuing education to ensure professionals stay current with the latest practices and research in their field.
7 CE Hours available For Psychologists, Psychoanalysts, Social Workers, Counselors/Marriage and Family Therapists, Creative Arts Therapists, Chemical Dependency Counselors, Educators, and Nurses.
MindBodyMed does not provide continuing education credits. However, you may purchase the CE credits separately at the Academeca website of R. Cassidy Seminars (www.ceuregistration.com), which will guide you through the process of earning your credits.
Please read the CE credits information applicable to the MSTM Facilitated Course, which includes Four (4) Live Interactive Webinars and how to obtain those credits.
Satisfactory Completion
Participants must have paid tuition fee, signed in and out each day, attended the entire seminar, and completed an evaluation in order to receive a certificate. Failure to sign in or out each day will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates available following course completion at www.ceuregistration.com
Psychologists
R. Cassidy Seminars is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. R. Cassidy Seminars maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 7CE hours..
Psychoanalysts
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts. #P-0005. (7) clock hours. Live online
Social Workers
CA: The Board of Behavioral Sciences has deferred CE course approvals to APA and other states’ licensing board approvals for its licensees. See those approvals under Psychologists and Social Workers.
Other States: If your state is not specifically listed, nearly all state Social Work boards accept either APA or are reciprocal with other state licensing board approvals, such as those listed below. Check with your board to be sure. The Ohio Board includes social Workers.
IL-SWs: Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation, Approved Continuing Education Sponsor, #159.000782. (7) hours.
NY:R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider (#0006) of continuing education for licensed social workers. This program is approved for 7 contact hours Live online.
OH:Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for (7) clock hours, 7RCST110701
Counselors/Marriage and Family Therapists
CA: The Board of Behavioral Sciences has deferred CE course approvals to APA and other states’ licensing board approvals for its licensees. See those approvals under Psychologists and Social Workers.
Other States: If your state is not specifically listed, nearly all state Counselor and MFT boards accept either APA or are reciprocal with other state licensing board approvals, such as those listed below. Check with your board to be sure. The Ohio Board includes MFTS and Counselors.
IL-MFTs: Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation, Approved Continuing Education Sponsor, #168-000141. (7) hours.
NY-LMHCs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0015. (7) contact hours. Live online.
NY-LMFTs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists. #MFT-0011. (7) contact hours. Live online.
OH: Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for (7) clock hours, #RCST110701
TX: Approved CE Sponsor through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists. Provider #151 7CE hours.
Creative Arts Therapists
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists, #CAT-0005. (7) contact hours. Live online.
Chemical Dependency Counselors CA: Provider approved by CCAPP, Provider #4N-00-434-0222 for (7) CEHs. CCAPP is an ICRC member which has reciprocity with most ICRC member states
TX: Provider approved by the TCBAP Standards Committee, Provider No. 1749-06, (7) hours general. Expires 1/31/2021. Complaints about provider or workshop content may be directed to the TCBAP Standards Committee, 1005 Congress Avenue, Ste. 460, Austin, Texas 78701, Fax Number (512) 476-7297.
Educators
TX: R. Cassidy Seminars is an approved provider with the Texas Education Agency CPE# 501456. This course is (7) CE Hours.
Following CA: Provider approved by the CA Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CeP12224, for (7) contact hours.
Disability Access
If you require ADA accommodations please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.
Please Note:
Licensing Boards change regulations often and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.
CMEs Available for Spectrum Health Employees
Spectrum Health Hospitals CME is accredited by the Michigan State Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Spectrum Health Hospitals CME designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).™ Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with their participation in the activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Facilitated Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine (MSTM)
Registration for the Spring 2021 MSTM Online Facilitated Mindfulness program is now open.
May 2021:
2021-05-08 Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine (MSTM):
For the May 2021 MSTM program, we’ll switch formats slightly. We’ll host the MSTM live interactive webinars from 1-5 PM Saturday, May 8, and May 15. Each segment is still 1.75 hours in length, but we’ll take a 30-minute break in between sessions to interact with Drs. Kristi and Werner to more closely resemble a retreat experience.
To earn all available *CMEs/** CEs, we meet the following days and times synchronously:
- Saturday, May 8, 2021:
- 01:00 PM (10:00 AM PT): 1.75 hours Module 1.
- 02:45 PM (11:45 AM PT): 30-minute break/or Q&A with Drs. Kristi and Werner
- 03:15 PM (12:15 PM PT): 1.75 hours Module 2.
- Saturday, May 15, 2021:
- 01:00 PM (10:00 AM PT): 1.75 hours Module 3.
- 02:45 PM (11:45 AM PT): 30-minute break/or Q&A with Drs. Kristi and Werner
- 03:15 PM (12:15 PM PT): 1.75 hours Module 4.
Click here for a detailed description of The 2021-05-08 Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine (MSTM).
*At this time CMEs are only available for Spectrum Health employees.
**CEs are available and Co-sponsored by R. Cassidy Seminars, P.O. Box 14473, Santa Rosa, CA 95402.
MSTM Self-Guided: 100% Online, Self-Paced, Home Study Course
Enrollment is Now Open!
This is a self-guided, self-paced course and you complete it at your own pace.
Registration is Now OPEN.
May 2021:
The 2021-05-08 Mindfulness Skill Training in Medicine (MSTM):
- Saturday, May 8, 2021:
- 01:00 PM (10:00 AM PT): 1.75 hours Module 1.
- 02:45 PM (11:45 AM PT): 30-minute break/or Q&A with Drs. Kristi and Werner
- 03:15 PM (12:15 PM PT): 1.75 hours Module 2.
- Saturday, May 15, 2021:
- 01:00 PM (10:00 AM PT): 1.75 hours Module 3.
- 02:45 PM (11:45 AM PT): 30-minute break/or Q&A with Drs. Kristi and Werner
- 03:15 PM (12:15 PM PT): 1.75 hours Module 4.
The live, interactive webinars are not available for customers who purchased the MSTM Self-Guided: 100% Online, self-paced, home study course.
I want to say that the MSTM program and the facilitators were an inspiration to learn more about mindfulness and ways to be a better professional. I loved having all the resources available to learn more on my own time and be able to review later.
I still use the MSTM daily in some way, whether to slow down and be conscious of my breathing or to do the total body scan either early in the AM or late at night. That one really helps me relax.
I thought the class was great. When I practice mindful “medication” I do feel better. Kind of like exercise and a kale salad. Sadly, I am about as compliant with my mindfulness as I am with exercise and eating kale salads.
I learned from and appreciated the MSTM program and our facilitators (Kristi and Werner). I believe many of us have taken steps around the health of our body (via diet, exercise, and sleep), however many of us have neglected the space between our ears (our precious mind). MSTM training… can provide our weary minds the pause and reflection needed to enhance our wellness and performance. The wise ones among us will try these practices and find a cadence that works for them (benefiting themselves and those they interact with).
I really appreciated how Werner was able to provide scientific evidence for the practice and insight into how this can fit into the mindset of the conservative Judeo-Christian community that many of us serve, live in and belong to. Mindfulness…is an effective practice and exercise that can help one calm their soul.
Dr. Artz and Dr. Absenger did an amazing job facilitating a workshop dealing with concepts that most physicians are not familiar with or comfortable with. The sessions were very informative, and the concepts were presented in a way that could be put to practical use and incorporated into a busy work schedule.
As a practicing clinical physician and surgeon, mindfulness is a great tool to help me control and manage the stresses of modern medicine. Mindfulness helps me think clearer, and I have a more positive daily outlook, which immediately has translated to better patient care and personal job satisfaction.
Get Started Now
| MSTM Course Offerings | Price |
|---|---|
| MSTM Facilitated: Includes Four (4) Live Interactive Webinars Facilitated Online. (Limited Time COVID-19 Pricing).
7 CE credits available. 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ are available to Spectrum Health Employees and affiliated institutions. |
$199 Regularly $225 |
| MSTM Self-Guided: 100% Online, Self-Paced, Home Study Course. | $125 |
Get Started Now
| Plan Options | Price Options |
|---|---|
| Single Payment Limited Time COVID-19 Pricing |
$199.00 Regularly $225 |