The Mind-Body Medicine Program is being offered to medical, nursing and graduate students as well as to interested faculty members. Classes meet for two consecutive hours, once a week for 11 weeks with two faculty members who co-facilitate each session. The course is designed with nearly 90 percent of the activities devoted to experiential learning, and with the remaining course time devoted to discussion of techniques, reviewing assigned articles, and addressing student questions.

An initial course orientation is held, where students learn expectations and intended outcomes for the course. In addition, pre-course self-assessment forms are completed at this time. Students receive a packet of information including guidelines for group behavior, course assignments, a list of recommended readings and various articles that focus on the most current evidence for health benefits of Mind-Body Medicine and theoretical underpinnings for integrating Mind-Body Medicine skills into medical practice.

Over the 11 sessions, students are taught various mind-body medicine skills including self-awareness, relaxation, meditation, guided imagery, biofeedback, physical exercise, art, music, and movement. Students learn the techniques, practice them and discuss their experiences with members of the group. Thus, students have the opportunity not only for individual attention and instruction, but also for sharing what they are learning about mind-body medicine and about themselves.

The course is originally based on a curriculum model developed by James Gordon, MD, Director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine and Nancy Harazduk, MEd, MSW, Director or the Mind-Body Medicine Program, Georgetown University, School of Medicine.