Mindfulness Based Parenting (MBP)

MBP is rooted in the foundations of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting, and Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention and is a relational parenting intervention approach that calls for parents' full attention when interacting with their children. MBP highlights aspects of non-judgment, compassion, self-regulation, and cultivating emotional awareness. As a weekly group (across 13 sessions), participants learn about essential child development and self-compassion and practice meditation tools to reduce reactivity and promote present-centered awareness with their children. The curriculum incorporates mother/baby dyad education, knowledge of the impact of trauma and early parenting, shortened formal meditation practices and emphasis on short informal practices. 

MATER’s MBP Program has resulted in improvements across multiple domains of reduced stress (Short et al. 2017), improved parenting (Gannon et al. 2022, Gannon et al. 2019, Gannon et al. 2017), and realized mindfulness (Gannon et al. 2022). Participants who completed MBP demonstrated statistically significant decreases in general stress, especially among those who reported high levels of general stress at baseline (before MBP). As a result of these findings, MBP was recognized as an Evidence-Based Practice by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services.

Anti-Stigma OUD Training

To address gaps in training and education around substance use, MATER faculty, MATER staff, and College of Nursing collaborators (Dr. Stephen DiDonato) have developed anti-stigma training for healthcare providers. Training topics include etiology of substance use, social determinants of health, cultural stigma of substance use, harm reduction, mindfulness, and de-escalation. The training includes both an in-person session led by peer recovery specialist and online education modules.

Interested in being trained to run MBP at your site or anti-stigma training? Contact Meghan Gannon.