Mindfulness and Psychedelics: Rethinking the Fifth Precept

The fields of psychedelics and mindfulness have a long history of cross-pollination in the United States that dates to the counterculture movement in the 1960s. As the use of these mind-altering compounds in therapeutic and spiritual contexts has become less stigmatized and more popular in recent years, psychedelic retreats and therapies are once again drawing people who also value contemplative practices. This paper explores the historic and contemporary tension people with overlapping interests in mindfulness and psychedelics have faced as they interpreted the Fifth Precept, the Buddhist guideline that advises people to abstain from intoxicants. Taking stock of the history of the history of these fields and recent research, it argues that mindfulness and psychedelics can not only be compatible but complementary, if they are used with clear intention and adequate safeguards. The paper sets the stage for a podcast that features six interviews with experts who had a range of views about the interplay of mindfulness and mind-altering substances

Assessing Mindfulness-Based Practices Applications for Use with Incest Survivors with PTSD and CPTSD

Abstract Mindfulness-Based Practices (MBPs) have shown how adverse effects respond in treating symptoms of complex PTSD (CPTSD). There is a lack of research on the impact of (MBPs) upon survivors of incest, a population with an elevated risk of re-traumatization. Professionals must approach MBPs within a multi-modal, trauma-sensitive framework, through psychoeducation, establishment of safety and trust, awareness of Mindfulness-Related Adverse Effects (MRAEs), and developing ways to foster healing. Through a literature review and the current creative project, professionals can use the proposed tool chest to manage MRAEs when treating survivors with CPTSD symptoms. Survivors learn to self-regulate in the face of adverse conditions, which requires finding strength and resilience within MBPs and motivation to heal childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The hope is that, with increased resources, professionals can learn to implement MBP therapeutic interventions in a trauma-informed way, helping survivors become active participants in their own healing by developing clarity, wisdom, and a mind-body connection. More research is needed to understand the neurological effects of CPTSD and trauma in incest survivors, further increasing the advantage of MBPs on this underserved population. Through MBP and daily meditation, one may experience a shift in how one relates to oneself and others

Improving the Well-Being of Mothers of Infants and Toddlers through Mindfulness and Creativity

U.S. mothers of infants and toddlers report experiencing feelings of confusion surrounding their identity in early motherhood. Research also shows emotion dysregulation, cognitive overwhelm, attention issues, high stress and isolation as common challenges mothers of toddlers and infants experience in their daily lives. These challenges can directly impact a mother’s well-being as well as her child’s well-being and the entire family unit. Mindfulness practice and creative expression are two ways of being that relate directly to each other and have been shown to improve well-being. Through repeated exercising of mindfulness and creativity, one can regulate their emotions and reduce stress while cultivating presence, compassion, a sense of purpose and feelings of connection. This thesis proposes a novel collection of tools for weaving mindfulness and creativity practices into the fabric of the daily lives of mothers of infants and toddlers to improve their well-being. The creative project is a self-help style book titled Unfold: A path to thriving in early motherhood through mindfulness and creativity, which incorporates anecdotal examples of mindfulness and creativity integrated into early motherhood as well as practices, meditations and other tools for mothers of infants and toddlers to integrate mindfulness and creativity into their daily lives

The Real Truth About Popular Mindfulness Apps: Mindfulness or Market Share?

The rapid expansion of mindfulness applications raises important questions about their authenticity. A central concern is whether these digital interventions are primarily motivated by genuine mindfulness education or by commercial interests seeking to maximize commercial metrics. This thesis addresses this issue by comprehensively assessing these applications against established ethical and educational standards. The study introduces the Alaya conceptual model, a novel evaluative framework that adapts the six domains of the MBI:TAC and incorporates two additional domains focused on commercial integrity, governance, and ethics. The Alaya framework utilizes a deterministic scoring mechanism to evaluate the integrity of digital applications, specifically their adherence to mindfulness principles, transparency, and user data protection. The findings offer critical transparency for users and establish a benchmark for developers to ensure that digital delivery methods align with the fundamental, non-commercial principles of mindfulness

The Integration of Culture, Identity, and Belongingness in EMDR Therapy: Practitioners’ Perspectives

This dissertation examines how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) practitioners approach power dynamics, identity, and belongingness in therapy from a multicultural and social justice perspective. Using a qualitative narrative research design guided by intersectional feminist epistemology, the study investigates how privilege, positionality, and belongingness influence clinicians’ approaches to EMDR therapy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine EMDR-trained practitioners from diverse sociocultural backgrounds to explore how relational, systemic, and contextual factors influence their clinical work. Thematic analysis was used to illuminate how EMDR practitioners navigate complex power dynamics both within the therapeutic alliance and in broader sociocultural contexts. Participants emphasized the importance of integrating clients’ lived experiences, cultural identities, a sense of belongingness, and systemic dynamics into all phases of EMDR treatment. Findings highlight a need for EMDR training programs that prioritize accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and equity-centered frameworks. This study contributes to the evolving discourse on EMDR therapy by offering practical recommendations for more inclusive, relationally attuned EMDR practices. It argues that ongoing self-reflection, cultural humility, and a commitment to social justice are key factors in further aligning EMDR therapy with clinical best practices. Ultimately, the research underscores that healing is not only an individual process but also one deeply embedded in collective, relational, and sociopolitical contexts. In doing so, it moves the field toward a more just, responsive, and inclusive view of the practice of EMDR therapy

MAMA VR: A Framework to Design Mindfulness-Based Programs in Virtual Reality

Research demonstrates numerous benefits of mindfulness practice, and virtual reality is a promising medium that can be tailored to foster mindfulness through novel means. Yet, to be effective, mindfulness-based programs in virtual reality (MBP+VR) should adhere to evidence-based methods. For various reasons, the level of mindfulness among users, the acceptability of VR technology, users\u27 mood, and adherence to mindfulness programs are often evaluated in studies on MBP+VR. However, due in part to the heterogeneity of MBP+VR designs and a lack of detailed descriptions of MBP+VR methods in much of the scientific literature to date, there is no agreement yet on how to achieve each of these desired outcomes. This study supports the development of a framework to guide the design of MBP+VR that satisfies the criteria of Mindfulness, Accessibility, Mood, and Adherence (MAMA), as these criteria exert interconnected effects on the cultivation of mindfulness in virtual reality. This study also analyzes theories and empirical research on mindfulness, virtual reality, and related fields to produce design recommendations for MBP+VR. While this paper provides rationale for many design considerations, it is not an exhaustive list of all possible features to enhance MAMA. I encourage future studies to expand the list of design recommendations for each MAMA criterion, particularly as new research emerges

Cultivating Holistic and Mindful Rest Practices: A Workbook

In a cultural moment that conflates productivity with self-worth, rest is often undervalued or seen as indulgent. This thesis explores mindfulness as a means of reframing rest as an essential human right and a cornerstone of holistic wellness. Drawing on Bill Hettler’s Six Dimensions of Wellness (i.e. physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and occupational wellness), this project situates mindful rest as a multidimensional practice that supports balance across body, mind, and spirit. This work also highlights the social, structural, and psychological barriers that affect individuals’ access to rest. It argues that while mindfulness alone cannot resolve systemic inequities, it can serve as a restorative tool for resting in awareness, a practice that assists with cultivating presence, resistance to overwork, and compassion toward self and others. The accompanying creative project, Cultivating Holistic and Mindful Rest Practices: A Workbook, offers an accessible, self-paced guide for integrating mindful rest practices into daily life. Designed through an inclusive and evidence-based lens, the workbook combines educational materials, mindfulness exercises, and reflective writing prompts to help individuals deepen self-awareness and nurture sustainable wellness practices in a productivity-driven world

“I Don’t Want to Be the Bad Kind of Special”: The Lived Experiences of Autistic Youth in Extracurricular Programs in Their Communities

Autistic youth face barriers to participation and belonging in community settings. Historically, autism research has privileged researcher perspectives and deficit-based frameworks, often excluding the authentic voices of autistic individuals, particularly young people. This qualitative, phenomenological study sought to address that gap by exploring the lived experiences of autistic youth (ages 13–18) participating in extracurricular community programs in Massachusetts. Framed by critical disability theory, critical autism studies, ecological systems theory, and intersectionality, the study examined how autistic youth experience inclusion, connection, and self-expression within programs designed largely for neurotypical participants. Seven autistic youths contributed to this research through participant-generated photographs and semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis and the SHOWeD photovoice framework. The findings revealed five major themes: social dynamics and connection, impact of neurodiversity, self-perception and identity, resilience, and inclusive program design. Across these themes, participants described a complex interplay of belonging and exclusion. Positive experiences emerged when programs aligned with participants’ interests, incorporated sensory-friendly supports, and fostered relationships grounded in understanding and acceptance. Rigid expectations, lack of awareness, and stigma often resulted in isolation, masking, and self-doubt. Despite these challenges, the participants demonstrated notable resilience and self-advocacy, offering practical recommendations to enhance inclusivity, empathy, and flexibility in community programs. By centering autistic youths’ perspectives, this research challenges ableist assumptions embedded in traditional program design and highlights the transformative potential of neurodiversity-affirming practices. Findings underscore that meaningful inclusion extends beyond access; it requires creating environments that honor autistic ways of being, nurture belonging, and celebrate difference. Implications are discussed for community program development, clinical practice, policy reform, and future research aimed at dismantling systemic barriers and amplifying autistic voices

OUR SONG: VIRTUAL GROUP SONGWRITING WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

This study investigated healthcare workers experiences in hospital provided virtual songwriting groups. Groups were led by a board-certified music therapist and prompted by one of three chosen themes from the hospital’s motto: to heal, to teach, to discover. Specifically, this work aimed to understand the role of songwriting as an arts-based intervention and its impact on aspects of workplace community with healthcare workers. Post group interviews were conducted and analyzed, which resulted in the emergence of seven major themes including: Sense of Purpose, Point of Connection and Community, Positive Engagement and Collaboration, Enhancing Mood State and Evoking Emotions, Impact of Aesthetic Beauty, Innovation and Creative Resource, Accessibility and Empowerment. Additional context is explored throughout the project pertaining to medical staff stressors and vulnerabilities, this researcher’s progression of establishing integrated arts programming within a large-scale healthcare system, and the concept of using art as workplace wellness support

Healing the Body Politic: Integrating Death Café and Expressive Arts Therapy Open Studio Processes to Create ‘Death Literate’ Civic Spaces of Support

This community engagement project, conducted online and in-person at a local art gallery, focused on integrating Death Café and expressive arts therapy open studio processes to create more ‘death positive’ community-based spaces of support. An extensive literature review explored current research on the Death Café model and the related topics of death denial, death positivity, death education and death literacy primarily in the United States; surveyed extant international literature on the expressive arts therapy open studio model; and garnered select publications pertaining to third places and third spaces, dialogue as community empowerment, and the role of the ‘citizen therapist’. Key details gleaned from the literature review included a critique of the death denial thesis and death positivity; Death Café as a quickly growing community practice in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic; the open studio model as an inherently community-centered approach to expressive arts therapy; and dialogue as a socially connecting communicative act. One in-person and one online combined Death Café and expressive arts therapy open studio process were conducted with two different groups of self-selecting participants, ranging in age and gender but mostly alike in racial identity, language and education level. Key findings included ‘death literacy’ as a more conducive frame for community support than ‘death positivity’; the unique constraints and opportunities related to conducting this integrated process in person and online; and the potential of this work to contribute to collective, as well as individual wellbeing, as an activity taking place in civic space