Check out this article in the UCLA Medicine magazine about the growing evidence that meditating may actually improve the health and function of our brains as we age: Is Meditation Push-ups for the Brain?

This research, along with the findings of other scientists such as Sara Lazar at Harvard is encouraging many in the psychology field to take a look at the important role mindfulness and meditation can play in mental health.  Lazar’s research shows that important cortical areas of the brain are thicker in meditators than non-meditators.  Recent  advances in brain imaging and neuroscience seem to be providing scientific validation to ancient practices.

Many of our counselors at the Southern California Counseling Center practice meditation and we incorporate it into our Best Practice Parenting Program.  Our counselors will receive a training this month from Ron Alexander Ph.D., an expert on mindfulness and psycyhotherapy and author of Wise Mind, Open Mind.  

 Los Angeles area organizations such as  InsightLA and the MARC Center at UCLA offer many classes and workshops for people who are interested in developing a meditation practice.

 Clay Crosby, MFT is Assistant Clinical Director of The Southern California Counseling Center and he co-created the Center’s Best Practice Parenting Program with Carol Potter, MFT and Robert Mendelsohn, MFT.  Clay works with highly creative individuals and couples in his private practice in Beverly Hills.    In addition to his interest in the application of Mindful Awareness techniques to psychotherapy, he has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor.  www.claycrosbymft.com