Instructor
Darlene Walsh-Martin, PHD
I am a Washington State licensed psychologist. For several decades I was employed as a psychologist in inpatient psychiatric hospitals. While I am recently retired from that setting, and retired from psychotherapy work, I have a passion for teaching and practicing mindfulness meditation. I first started my mindfulness journey well over 25 years ago participating in my first 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. I experienced the mindfulness course information, practice and support as very meaningful and physically and mentally beneficial. I have continued my personal MBSR practice since that time, and found the mindfulness practice to have positive impact on quality of life and physical health.
In light of my experienced benefits of a personal mindfulness practice and the elevation of mindfulness meditation in the field of psychology to the level of research evidenced based practice, I decided to explore additional training in the field of mindfulness. Since that time, I have received over 100 hours of mindfulness training, including MBSR and Mindfulness Based Cognitive therapy (MBCT), a group based, psychosocial mindfulness approach that uses MBSR and cognitive-behavioral exercises.
I began teaching MBCT in an inpatient psychiatric hospital in 2012 providing MBCT instruction for psychiatric hospital patients. In addition, in 2015 I began teaching MBCT in the Spokane, Washington community, which I continue today.
“The real treasure offered by mindfulness-its most amazing gift-is that mindfulness provides us with the opportunity to respond rather than react.”
— Kristin Neff
Qualifications
DEGREE
PhD in Counseling Psychology (APA accredited program) from Washington State University in Pullman, WA
EXPERIence
Washington State Licensed Psychologist
I was employed as a Washington State licensed psychologist for over 30 years at Washington State inpatient psychiatric facilities. I taught numerous courses for psychiatric patients on emotion management, resilience, assertiveness, and mindfulness. I provided instruction for over 250 psychiatric patients, with over 300 MBCT instruction hours.
Mindfulness Course Instructor
Since 2015, I have taught 8-week (weekly) mindfulness courses in the Spokane, Washington community. I have provided instruction for over 100 participants, with over 200 MBCT instruction hours in this community setting.
Workshops & Presentations
I have provided multiple mindfulness presentations, workshops for teachers and counselors and content for college courses, as well as for nursing staff, rehabilitation staff, and a state child care resource and referral program. I have also presented information for counselors, counseling centers and community organizations.
