An expert in strategic planning and leadership development, Dr. Nancy Coogan has held executive positions at school districts that include Mukilteo and Seattle Public Schools. In addition to her work in administration, Dr. Nancy Coogan authors scholarly research articles in the areas of education and mindfulness.
In 2015, Information Age Publishing released “Mindfulness for Educational Practice, A Path to Resilience for Challenging Work.” The book, which includes a chapter featuring Dr. Coogan, draws on qualitative and action research that supports mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in schools.
At a general level, MBIs refer to therapeutic approaches that employ mindfulness to improve physical and mental health. Four common approaches to the practice are described below.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - teaches mindfulness to help others recognize emotional challenges and improve overall well being.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - develops mindfulness in addition to tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness through individual psychotherapy exercises as well as group training.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - incorporates meditation practices, stretching, and other mindfulness activities in daily life in addition to group sessions.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) - similar to MBSR, but also incorporates cognitive therapy techniques and exercises such as psychoeducation.
