College of Mind-Body Medicine

In Memoriam: Jeanne Achterberg, PhD

It makes me so sad to hear of Jeanne Achterberg’s death. She was such a wonderful, generous, courageous spirit. I remember meeting her 35 years ago and being stunned by the intelligence and audacity of her research on imagery and cancer. When NIH opened its office of Alternative Medicine, Larry Dossey and I worked closely with Jeanne on developing the state of the art paper on Mind-Body Medicine; actually Jeanne did far more of the work with such skill and grace than either Larry or I. And then there were the times that Jeanne came to Macedonia and Kosovo with me and my team from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine-ready at a moment’s notice to put her gifts in the service of people who desperately needed and deeply appreciated her skill and commitment.

It’s been such a joy too to be with Jeanne at Saybrook, to see the intelligence and commitment she brought to her work with students, to feel us once again moving ahead together. I keep her spirit with me and feel her passion and love.

James S. Gordon, M.D.
Read my Blog about CMBM's work in Haiti

In Memorium: Jeanne Achterberg

It is with deep sadness that I announce that Jeanne Achterberg died Wednesday afternoon, March 7, 2012, of metastatic breast cancer.

Jeanne Achterberg was a pioneer in mind-body medicine and complementary medicine. Early in her career, Jeannie collaborated with O. Carl Simonton, studying the quality of imagery in cancer patients. She was able to show that features in the imagery predicted the course of the illness. Since that time, she has championed the role of imagery in healing, the role of the mind and spirit in healing, and the shamanic role of the healer.

Jeannie went on to serve in the Office of Alternative Medicine, co-chairing the panel on mind-body interventions. The OAM grew into NCCAM, the home of complementary and alternative medicine within NIH. She is also a past president of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology.

Jeannie has contributed much to mind-body medicine:  Her books, Bridges of the Body-Mind, Imagery in Healing, Woman as Healer, Rituals of Healing, Imagery and Disease, and Lightning at the Gate, remain best sellers. Jeannie has also given us a personal example of courage in the face of illness. Her book, Lightning at the Gate, narrated her own journey with illness.

College of Mind-BodyMedicine: Dr. Julie Staples Conducts Research on Mind-Body Skills Project in Gaza

Conducting and reporting high quality research is an essential part of the advancement of mind body medicine in health care.  Julie Staples has worked as the Research Director at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM) since 1996.  The rising credibility of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is due in part to high quality studies being reported in a way that the medical profession recognizes.  The medical profession uses the Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of most interventions.  Reporting results of CAM interventions using recognized research methods improves the validity and credibility of the studies, and opens the lines of communication with colleagues.

Julie and her colleagues at the CMBM have recently received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to conduct three Randomized Clinical Trials in Gaza. The studies aim to evaluate the efficacy of mind-body skills groups for children, adolescents and adults with posttraumatic stress disorder.  Previous research in Gaza studied the effects of mind-body skills groups for approximately 500 adults and 500 children.  Among these, about 17% of the adults and 26% of the children had symptoms of PTSD.  Using pre- and post- test measurements, the studies demonstrated improvement in PTSD symptoms and depression in both adults and children, as well as decreased hopelessness in children and improved quality of life in adults.  The new studies will further advance the data gathered in the pilot studies with a more rigorous study design.

New Perspectives on Aging

Introducing Connie S. Corley, MSW, MA, PH.D.

Connie Corley has engaged in the field of gerontology for 35 years of her professional career.  During that time, she has participated in developing the innovative cultural concepts of Positive Aging and Conscious Aging. 

The word "gerontology" conjures up an array of thoughts and images about aging, and not all of those images are inspiring.  The Positive Aging and Conscious Aging movements seek to give new meaning to the aging process.  The Positive Aging movement was inspired by positive psychology.  It aims to give purpose to one’s later life through a variety of directions, such as being active in communities and building meaningful relationships. 

Conscious Aging, a parallel movement, inspires the aging process with an element of spirituality. The Conscious Aging perspective can benefit persons approaching the end of their lives, and their loved ones as well.  Through the discussion of spirituality and aging, Conscious Aging teaches loved ones to be more fully present with their aging family member or friend during some of the difficult times.  The deepened relationships that unfold through communication about what it means spiritually to move through life, allow for growth for everyone involved.

People have a full range of experiences as they age.  One perspective promoted by Ram Dass is that aging allows us to stop identifying with the ego and the physical body.  By letting go of physical constraints, conscious aging allows us to get back to our true essence.  Instead of aging limiting us to roles, conscious aging connects us with our souls.

Biscayne Institutes ranked among best in world for recovering from Traumatic Brain Injury

Recently The Biscayne Institutes of Health & Living, founded and directed by Saybrook faculty member Marie DiCowden, was named one of 16 best practices for community integration of individuals with brain injury out of 253 surveyed world wide by the Univeristy of Toronto for an upcomming publication. 

The Biscayne Institute of Health & Living cares for hundreds of people, from young children to the elderly: it offers the community wellness programs, health education, integrative primary care programs, and rehabilitation; it has a school on premises to serve special needs children and youth so that their school and health care treatments are integrated at the same site; and they train graduate level health care providers from many disciplines in health care and integrative medicine.

"The idea is that we have a center where people don't just come when they're sick, but that provides for the needs of themselves, and their family, at all times," DiCowden says. "It's integrated into the school and the medical programs, and we have a number of activities that extend beyond physical or mental issues into health issue broadly."

Biscayne has also recently received the Florida State Surgeon General's Award Health  Innovation, Prevention and Management Award.