James Mitchell, PhD

Experience

James Mitchell teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and leads the Mindfulness Alumni Programs at the Osher Center.

His professional focus has been on the connection between and application of psychology, philosophy, and mind-body practices for health and well-being. In past years, he has collaborated with UCSF’s Department of Surgery helping to create its Enhanced Stress Resilience Training for Residents (ESRT) program and, as faculty in the School of Nursing at Samuel Merritt University, brought mindfulness interventions to the RN to BSN Nursing program co-developing its innovating course: MBSR and The Neuroscience of Change. Prior to his academic and public health roles, he worked as a mental health counselor specializing in recovery from substance abuse in San Francisco Bay Area institutions.

His current interest includes connecting the awe-inspiring context of ‘the outdoors’ and insight meditation. Through the special lens of online meditative orientation combined with dropping into nature’s mirror, this mind/body focus reaffirms our in-the-world connection, unravels the knots within, and brings healing to ourselves.

Education and Training

• PhD, East-West Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies 
• MA, Clinical Psychology, Duquesne University
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher Training, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine
• Outdoor Guide and Wilderness First Aid

Personal Statement and Approach

When we bring the dimensions of our being into awareness, life itself becomes the meditation practice.