Mindfulness and Meditation for Adolescents: Practices and Programs

This book describes mindfulness and meditation practices and programs for adolescents by situating the topic in a bio-psychosocial-cultural approach. Using this framework, the benefits of these practices and programs for adolescents- with an emphasis on evidence-based practices-are explored. In addition to programs based on mindfulness, meditation programs using Transcendental Meditation, Herbert Benson’s Relaxation Response, and the Center for Mind Body Medicine’s group programs are discussed. The book is targeted toward educators, mental health professionals, researchers, and graduate students interested in the application, development, and study of mindfulness and meditation practices and programs for adolescents.

Betsy Wisner taught adolescent psychology for nearly 20 years before earning her doctorate in social work from the University of Texas at Austin, USA. She currently teaches graduate social work courses. She also has over 25 years’ experience in the mental health field and specializes in helping children and adolescents and their families.