The Mindful Path to Communication: Enhancing Therapy and Reducing Stress with Dr. Angela Medina

Speech Language and Therapy

I am very excited to share with you my conversation with Dr. Angela Medina, an innovative clinician and researcher at Florida International University. I am sure all of us have felt the detrimental effects of stress to the therapeutic process, It can be within us, within those that we serve in the therapy room, and in the support system of individuals with communication challenges. That’s why I was really intrigued when I encountered Angela’s work on the intersection of mindfulness and communication disorders. I reached out to her and am so thankful she agreed to share her time with us. During our conversation Angela talks about her personal journey of integrating mindfulness into speech therapy, detailing its benefits not only for individuals with various communication challenges but also for clinicians. Angela gives us practical applications that can be seamlessly incorporated into therapy sessions.

She also helped me better understand the critical role of mindfulness in the personal and professional lives of speech-language pathologists and audiologists, offering strategies for self-regulation and stress management amidst the challenges of the profession. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in enriching our enjoyment of our clinical practice and enriching the lives of those we serve with the power of presence and awareness.
Resources from Dr. Medina and Our Discussion:

• https://www.waterford.org/resources/mindfulnes-activities-for-kids/
• Csikszentmihalyi, M. Flow: The psychology of happiness. (Amazon Affiliate Link)
• https://www.uclahealth.org/programs/marc/free-guided-meditations/guided-meditations
• Boyle, M. P. (2011). Mindfulness training in stuttering therapy: A tutorial for speech-language pathologists. Journal of fluency disorders, 36(2), 122-129.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfludis.2011.04.005
• Medina, A. M., & Mead, J. S. (2021). An exploration of mindfulness in speech-language pathology. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 42(4), 257-265.https://doi.org/10.1177/1525740120942141
• Medina, A. M., & Mead, J. S. (2023). SLPs’ Use of Mindfulness in Personal and Professional Contexts: A Follow-Up Study. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 15257401231169216.
• https://www.npr.org/2021/12/21/1066585316/mindfulness-meditation-with-john-kabat-zinn
• Kabat-Zinn, Jon, and Thich Nhat Hanh. Full catastrophe living means using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. (Amazon Affiliate Link)
• https://mindfulnessresearch.wixsite.com/the-mindfulness-rese

I launched the Speech, Language, and Therapy Podcast with a mission to develop a deep understanding of the connection between speech therapy and overall well-being, especially in the area of stuttering. Inspired by my guests, I founded Brouwer Therapy to translate these insights into action.If you would like more information about connecting with me and my private practice: www.brouwertherapy.com

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