ABOUT FLORENCE
Florence Meleo-Meyer, MS, MA, LMFT has been a student and practitioner of meditation and contemplative practices for more than 50 years. Over decades, she has taught Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and trained MBSR teachers and teacher-trainers worldwide through the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University. Florence encourages cultivation of the deepest understanding of MBSR as a path of love, healing and transformation. She is a leading contributor to the development of materials and best practices for teacher training in the field of MBSR and Mindfulness-Based Programs (MBPs). She currently supports the developing work of the Global Mindfulness Collaborative, a network of MBSR teacher training institutes, world wide.
With an intention to care for others, by guiding them to access their own deepest wisdom, heart, and health, she has taught mindfulness to clinical, and professional populations in the fields of medicine, psychology, education, and business as a public health initiative that could support global wellbeing. She is among the pioneering teachers at the Center for Mindfulness, and, with her colleagues, world-wide, continues to contribute to relieving suffering, strengthening awareness and compassion and inspiring remembrance of our interbeing.
Her introduction in 1975, and continued practice and study of Siddha Yoga meditation philosophy and culture deepened the roots of love, non-duality, and service. Direct experience with these liberative teachings has inspired study and investigation into the ways they are expressed in many wisdom traditions. Awareness and compassion for self and others form a foundation of remembrance that all of life is deeply interconnected. Florence has cultivated a loving, present moment awareness, and continues to discover this in meditation, teaching, nature, mystic vision, selfless service, and sharing relational awareness as action toward social justice.
The practice of Insight meditation opened doors to the ongoing study and practice of Buddhist teachings. Experiencing the liberating power of relational meditation, with Greg Kramer, in 2003, led to study, practice, and teaching Insight Dialogue. She offers Insight retreats and Insight Dialogue retreats internationally, and has developed the Interpersonal Mindfulness Program, and the Interpersonal Mindfulness Program training with Gregory Kramer, Phyllis Hicks and many others in the ID community.
A licensed family therapist, she lives in Massachusetts near her three married children and six grandchildren.
Florence with a friend, 2023
Publications and More Resources:
“MBSR Workbook for Anxiety” with Stahl, B., and Koerbel, L., New Harbinger press. Chapters include “Mindfulness and the Therapeutic Relationship,” with Gregory Kramer, PhD, Hick, S. & Bien, T. eds. Guilford Press
“Resources for Teaching Mindfulness,” McCown, D. & Reibel, D. eds. Springer. (Amazon link)
A Professional Formation module, Drexel College of Medicine; DVD, “Living Awake, Mindfulness for Young Adults”
Online MBSR Training Courses from Sounds True
Teaching in France, Spring 2023
CURRICULUM VITAE
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CURRICULUM VITAE
Florence Meleo-Meyer
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Florencemeleomeyer@gmail.com
EDUCATION
1971
BA, Humanities and Liberal Arts, New York University, cum laude
1975
MS, Early Childhood Education, Bank Street College of Education
1993
MA, Couple and Family Therapy, Antioch University, New England, Keene, NH
1994
Mindfulness-Based Stress-Reduction (MBSR) Teacher Training and Apprenticeship
2003
Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society (CFM), University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Received MBSR Teacher Certification in 2003.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
1993
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Allied Mental Health, License # 1039 Massachusetts 1993
DEPARTMENT, CENTER, AFFILIATED HOSPITAL, OR UNIVERSITY SERVICE
2012-2016
Served on CFM’s Leadership Team, contributing to CFM initiatives and strategic planning, including participating in Advisory Board meetings, representing MBSR teacher education and training developments and planning elements of the Annual International Scientific Conference on Mindfulness.
NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
2010
Consultant to the development of teacher training, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Lenox, Massachusetts.
2015 - Present
Inaugural member of the International Mindfulness Integrity Network, merging a national and international body into one organization of global leaders of Mindfulness-Based teacher training Institutes regarding shared agreements for best practices, ethics and standards. Currently, meetings are focused on next steps of development to ensure the integrity of the field.
PUBLICATIONS IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS
1. Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Druker S, Frisard C, Dunsiger SI, Crawford S, Meleo-Meyer F, Bock B and Pbert L. Integrating mindfulness training in school health education to promote healthy behaviors in adolescents: Feasibility and preliminary effects on exercise and dietary habits. Prev Med Rep. 2018;9:92-95. PubMed PMID: 29527459; PMCID: PMC5840835.
2. Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Druker S, Meleo-Meyer F, Frisard C, Crawford S and Pbert L. Beneficial Effects of School-based Mindfulness Training On Impulsivity in Healthy Adolescents: Results From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Explore (NY). 2019;15(2):160-164. PubMed PMID: 30309789.
3. Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Druker S, Meyer F, Bock B, Crawford S, Pbert L. Design and methods for “Commit to Get Fit” – A pilot study of a school-based mindfulness intervention to promote healthy diet and physical activity among adolescents. Contemp Clin Trials. 2015;41:248-58. PMID: 25687667. PMCID: PMC438080
4. Meleo-Meyer, F. (2020). The Tapestry of MBSR: The Art of Interweaving Transformational Elements. Humanistic Psychologist, MS# HUM-2019-0281-submission.
BOOKS AND BOOK CHAPTERS
1. Stahl., B., Meleo-Meyer, F., Koerbel, L. (2014). The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook for Anxiety. New Harbinger Publications, Inc Stahl, B., Meleo-Meyer, F., Koerbel, L.
2. Kramer, G., Meleo-Meyer, F. (2008). Cultivating Mindfulness in Relationship: Insight Dialogue and the Interpersonal Mindfulness Program, in Mindfulness and the Therapeutic Relationship, Hick, S. & Bien, T. eds., Guilford Press.
3. Meleo-Meyer, F. (2016). Interpersonal Practices: A Transformational Force in the MBIs. In Resources for Teaching Mindfulness, An International Handbook, McCown, D, Reibel, D, Micozzi, M. eds, Springer, Switzerland.
PUBLISHED REPORTS
1. Santorelli SF, Meleo-Meyer F, Koerbel L and Kabat-Zinn J. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Authorized Curriculum Guide. Worcester, MA: University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness; 2017
DIGITAL TEACHING PRODUCTS
1. Santorelli, S., Meleo-Meyer, F., (2014). Sounds True: MBSR On-Line, self-study program https://www.soundstrue.com/store/the-mbsr-home-
2. Steven Rosenzweig, MD, (2016). Florence Meleo-Meyer, Professional Formation, Drexel College of Medicine. Philadelphia, PA,
3. Meleo-Meyer, F., et al, (2017). Turning Toward What Is: Intimacy and Immediacy in Teaching MBPs, Mindful Summit.
4. Meleo-Meyer, F., Living Awake, Mindfulness for Young Adults DVD, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society
INVITED LECTURES
National
1. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Reducing Workplace Stress: The Healing Power of Mindfulness for Professionals in Education, Coalition Organized for Health Education in Schools, 2001.
2. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Nils Altner, Mindfulness in Public Education
3. Conference Institute; Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society Annual Scientific Conference, 2004.
4. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Twenty-Five years of Mindfulness in Medicine,
5. Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society Annual Scientific Conference, 2004.
6. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindfulness in Education, Keynote, Mindfulness in Education Network Conference, 2004.
7. Caroline Peterson, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy,
Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society Annual Scientific Conference, 2005
8. Melissa Blacker, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Robert Stahl, Clinical Applications of Mindfulness-Bases Inquiry: Working with Stress, Change and Identity, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society Annual Scientific Conference, 2006.
9. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindfulness, LeHigh Valley Hospital, LeHigh, Pennsylvania, 2006.
10. Gregory Kramer, Florence Meleo-Meyer, The Interpersonal Mindfulness Program: Awakening Presence in Relationship, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society Annual Scientific Conference, 2007.
11. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindfulness & Reflective Writing, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society 2007.
12. Jeff Prince, MD, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Cool Minds, Mindfulness for Teens, Meditation and Psychotherapy, Harvard Medical School.2009
13. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Judith Erdman, Samuelson, Marlene, Cool Minds: Mindfulness-Based Teen Program, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society Annual Scientific Conference, 2010.
14. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindfulness for students, staff and educators, Reed College, 2011.
15. Florence Meleo-Meyer, The Promise and Practice of Mindfulness, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont, 2012-2013.
16. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindfulness for administrators, staff and educators, Northfield, Mt. Herman School. 2014.
17. Ron Epstein, Michael Krasner, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindful Practice, A Mindfulness Program for Physicians and Healthcare Providers. University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, NY. 2013-2014
18. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindfulness, Assumption College, Worcester, Massachusetts, 2013.
19. Christopher Germer, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Compassion and Kindness: Enhancing Capacity to Turn Towards Difficult Emotions, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society Annual Scientific Conference, 2013.
20. Florence Meleo-Meyer, et al, UMass Memorial Health Care Mindfulness Leadership Trainings, for hospital chiefs and senior executives. 2016-2017.
21. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Presence in Relationship, The Transformational Power of Mindful Communication, Ramapo College, Mahwah, New Jersey, 2017.
22. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Bene Wellness, Chinese Health and Wellness Program, Omega Institute, & the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University, 2018.
International
1. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindful Dialogue and Inquiry, Italy, 2009; Holland, 2010,2011; France, 2012; Germany, 2013; Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society.
2. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Melissa Blacker, Stress Reduction, Arborgast Seminars, Gotzis, Austria. 2010.
3. Florence Meleo-Meyer, A Mindful Society, Center for Mindfulness, Ireland, & the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society, 2013.
4. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Waking Up Alone and Together: Evoking Collective Wisdom in the MBP Classroom, Mid-Summer Mindfulness Conference, Center for Mindfulness, Motus Mundi, & the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society, Rome, Italy, 2015.
5. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Turning Toward What is: Intimacy, Integrity and Immediacy in Teaching MBPs, Mid-Summer Mindfulness Conference, Center for Mindfulness, Motus Mundi, & the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society, Rome, Italy, 2015.
6. Florence Meleo-Meyer, MBSR: Teaching and Reproductions, Mindful Encounters, La Universidad, Complutense de Madrid, & the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society, Spain, Madrid, Spain, 2015.
7. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Interpersonal Mindfulness, Radboud University, Conference, Nijmegan, Netherlands, 2013.
8. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Living the Teaching, Embodiment in Teaching MBSR, Center for Mindfulness, Motus Mundi, the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University, 2018.
9. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Living the Teaching, Embodiment in Teaching MBSR, Center for Mindfulness, Motus Mundi, the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University, 2018., The Ethos of MBSR, Center for Mindfulness, Motus Mundi, the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University, 2019.
10. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Ethos of MBSR, Sociedad Mindfulness y Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina, & the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University, 2019.
11. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Medicine and Mindfulness, Hospital Italiano, Sociedad Mindfulness y Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina, & the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University, 2019.
12. Florence Meleo-Meyer r, Interpersonal Mindfulness, the European Center for Mindfulness, & the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University, Freiburg, Germany, 2019.
13. Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindfulness and Compassion in the Helping Professions, Centro Mindfulness and Millennium Institute for depression & Personality Research, & the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University, Santiago, Chile, 2019.
UNIVERSITY TEACHING AND MENTORING ROLES
1994-1996
· MBSR teacher, 6-8 classes per year, (35 participants in each class) Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness, UMass Medical Center
1994-2000
· UMass Medical Center Stress Reduction Clinic
· 1996-2000, MBSR senior teacher and MBSR teacher-trainer
· MBSR Teacher Training Programs
· Directed seminars engaging the participant/practitioner approach to experiential learning of MBSR (approximately 50 students/year).
· Demonstrated proficiency working with professionals from diverse backgrounds.
· Offered applications of mindfulness in fields of medicine, business, education, and professional development.
2000-2018
· Center for Mindfulness, in Medicine, Healthcare and Society, University of Massachusetts, Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.
· 2001-2018 Director, Oasis Institute for Mindfulness-Based Professional Education & Training; CFM, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.
· Expertise in development and training of professionals, in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction clinical programs through years of multiple teacher trainings and study of relevant historical and cultural underpinnings of mindfulness and current research in the field.
· Taught thousands of MBSR teachers from more than 25 countries, contributing to significant expansion of the field through the dissemination of high quality training.
· Designed curriculum for MBSR Professional Teacher Education and Training.
· Developed curriculum for Residential MBSR program and MBSR teacher training.
· Developed initial criteria for assessing MBSR Teachers and certification.
· Taught all MBSR teacher development trainings, through certification. Training, mentoring, assessment and development of continuing education programs.
· Directed, designed, and co-authored the MBSR Train the Trainer Curriculum.
· Taught Advanced Seminars for MBSR teachers
· The Heart of the Matter, an intensive online seminar on how to teach MBSR (2014)
· Labor of Love, (2014), an intensive 4-day retreat
· MBSR Train the Trainer (2017)
· Organized and Directed the MBSR Teacher Symposium during the International Scientific Conference, (2012, 2013, 2014)
2018-2020
· Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, Brown University
· Director, Global Relations and Professional Education
· Oversees and supports best practices for global MBSR teacher training.
· Co-facilitates the Global Mindfulness Collaborative
· Delivers MBSR teacher training at every level of development
· MBSR curriculum development and derivatives that further the application of mindfulness in health care and society
· Designs and delivers training for MBSR teacher development
2004-2020
Mindfulness Meditation Retreats
· Melissa Blacker, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Saki Santorelli, Bob Stahl, Shoulder to Shoulder: Affirming and Embodying the Heart of MBSR, 2011, 2012
· Melissa Blacker, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Bob Stahl, Taking your Seat: A Day of Mindfulness Meditation.
· Bob Stahl, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mark Coleman, Convergence Retreat, 2013, Spirit Rock, CA
· Florence Meleo-Meyer, Insight Dialogue retreat, Bern Switzerland, 2016.
· Jan Surrey, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Insight Dialogue retreats, Vermont Insight Meditation Center, Pioneer Valley Insight Meditation Center. 2016-2017.
· Bob Stahl, Florence, Meleo-Meyer, Saki Santorelli, Convergence Retreat, Rome, Italy, 2016, Omega Institute, 2017.
· Bob Stahl, Eric Loucks, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Insight Inside Us-A Mindfulness Meditation retreat, Omega Institute, 2019.
· Bob Stahl, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Insight Inside Us-A Mindfulness Meditation retreat, Amalurra, Spain, 2020.
2004-2020
Professional Retreats
· Florence Meleo-Meyer, Pediatrician’s Retreat, Garrison Institute, 2004.
· Florence Meleo-Meyer, Eileen Fisher Co. 2004-2005
· Janice Marturano, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Executive Retreats, General Mills Co. 2005.
· Florence Meleo-Meyer, Boston Psychoanalytic Society Retreat, Boston, MA, 2011-2013.
· Pamela Seigle, Florence Meleo-Meyer, The Aware Teacher, multiple schools and school districts in Massachusetts, 2008-2013.
· Pamela Seigle, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Mindfulness, Courage and Reflection Program for Educators, Assumption College, Worcester, Massachusetts, 2008-2013.
· MBSR in Mind-Body Medicine, a 7-Day ResidentialRetreat for Professionals with Judson Brewer, MD, Florence, Meleo-Meyer, Saki Santorelli, 2015, 2016, 2017, Omega Institute, NY and CA; Ireland, Spain, CA.
· MBSR in Medicine, Practice, and Science, a 7-Day Residential Retreat for Professionals with Judson Brewer, MD, Florence Meleo-Meyer, 2018, 2019, 2020, Omega Institute, NY, CA, Spain
