MITCH ABBLETT, PHD
Mitch Abblett, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, clinical administrator, supervisor and trainer. He has appeared on local and regional television programs in New England, and has written in professional periodicals regarding children’s mental health needs. Dr. Abblett also serves as the Clinical Director of Judge Baker Children’s Center’s Manville School, a well-established therapeutic day school for special education children with significant learning, emotional and behavior challenges. In addition to his work with emotionally-behaviorally disordered children, Dr. Abblett has also worked with a variety of populations presenting difficult behavior patterns (aggression, trauma reactivity, combat veterans, sexual perpetration, and addiction). Dr. Abblett has conducted numerous trainings regarding clinical work with difficult populations, and is a dynamic, engaging speaker. He is the author or co-author of numerous books, including The Mindfulness Skills Activity Book for Children (PESI, 2018) and The Challenging Child Toolbox (PESI, 2018). Dr. Abblett is also the co-author of the Growing Mindful (PESI, 2015), Growing Mindful 2nd Edition (PESI, 2019), Growing Mindful Spanish Edition (PESI, 2016), Growing Happy (PESI, 2016), Mindful Reminders (PESI, 2016), The Self-Compassion (PESI, 2016) and Anti-Burnout (PESI, 2017) card decks.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Mitch Abblett maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with The Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy, Hanover Public Schools, and Wareham Public Schools. He receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Abblett receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Mitch Abblett is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, and the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy.
CHRISTOPHER WILLARD, PSYD
Christopher Willard, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, author and consultant based in Massachusetts. He has spoken in over 31 countries and has presented at two TEDx events. He is the author of 20 books, including Alphabreaths (2019), Growing Up Mindful (2016). and Feelings are Like Farts (2024). His thoughts on mental health have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, mindful.org, cnn.com, and elsewhere. He teaches at Harvard Medical School.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Christopher Willard maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Health Alliance, and the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. He receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Willard receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Christopher Willard is the president and board member of the Mindfulness In Education Network. He is on the advisory boards of Mindfulness First and Peace in Schools. Dr. Willard is a member of Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy.
DONALD ALTMAN, MA, LPC
Donald Altman, M.A., LPC, is a psychotherapist, award-winning writer, former Buddhist monk, teacher and an adjunct professor at Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. He is also a faculty member of the Interpersonal Neurobiology program at Portland State University and teaches various classes blending mindfulness and Interpersonal Neurobiology.
A prolific writer whose career spans more than 25 years, Donald has authored several pioneering books on mindfulness, beginning with his 1998 Art of the Inner Meal. (HarperOne, 1999). His book, The Mindfulness Code (New World Library, 2010) was named as “One of the Best Spiritual Books of 2010.” He has also authored The Mindfulness Toolbox for Relationships: 50 Practical Tips, Tools & Handouts for Building Compassionate Connections (PESI, 2018), Stay Mindful & Color: Find Calm, Clarity and Happiness (PESI, 2016), Meal By Meal (New World Library, 2004), Living Kindness (Moon Lake Media, 2009), One Minute Mindfulness (New World Library, 2011), The Joy Compass (New Harbinger, 2012), The Mindfulness Toolbox: 50 Practical Tips, Tools & Handouts for Anxiety, Depression, Stress & Pain (PESI, 2014) and, 101 Mindful Ways to Build Resilience: Cultivate Calm, Clarity, Optimism & Happiness Each Day (PESI, 2015).
In addition to his books, Donald was a staff writer for an EMMY-Award winning children’s television show (“The Magic Door”, CBS Chicago), won an American Medical Writer’s Association award, co-created the first interactive comic strip on America Online, and has had articles appear in New Age Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and Independent Business Magazine, among others.
Donald reaches out to the professional community by serving as the vice president of The Center for Mindful Eating. Donald works extensively with mindful meditation in his own life, as well as offering these tools to others through his books and classes. He teaches mindfulness and spiritual values around the country. He is dedicated to bringing these ancient practices in tune with modern living and to invite wellness into our stress-filled lives. Donald is also a member of the Burma Buddhist Association. An avid motorcyclist, he enjoys riding his motorcycle along the beautiful Oregon coast.
Speaker Disclosures:
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Donald Altman is in private practice. He is an Adjunct Faculty member of the Interpersonal Neurobiology Program at Portland State University. Mr. Altman receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Donald Altman has no relevant non-financial relationship to disclose.
DEBRA BURDICK, LCSW, BCN
Debra Burdick, LCSW, BCN, also known as ‘The Brain Lady’, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a board-certified neurofeedback practitioner. Debra is an international speaker and author of the best-selling books, Mindfulness Skills Workbook for Clinicians and Clients: 111 Tools, Techniques, Activities & Worksheets, (PESI, 2013), Mindfulness Skills for Kids & Teens: A Workbook for Clinicians and Clients with 154 Tools, Techniques, Activities and Worksheets (PESI, 2014), ADHD: Non-Medication Treatments and Skills for Children and Teens (PESI, 2015) and Mindfulness Skills for Kids: Card Deck and 3 Card Games (PESI, 2017). She has taught mindfulness skills to her clients for over 25 years.
She recently retired from her private practice, and previously worked at the Child Guidance Clinic, Family Services, Child and Family Agency, and Lawrence and Memorial Hospital.
Debra incorporates mindfulness skills in all areas of her practice. She initially became interested in mindfulness to deal with a chronic illness (now thankfully healed). She found it so helpful in her own life that she started teaching her clients the skills she was using. She went on to develop clinical material on mindfulness skills and created a four-step process for working with clients using mindfulness that she perfected in her private practice and in an intensive outpatient program. Her clients have shown her that mindfulness skills improve the rate and quality of treatment outcomes.
Debra has presented numerous presentations, workshops, and teleseminars. She is often interviewed on Internet radio and telesummits and her work has been featured in The Day newspaper, Self-Improvement Magazine, and “Parenting Powers” television show.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Debra Burdick maintains a private practice. She is an author for Vervante publishers and receives royalties. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Debra Burdick contributes to SelfGrowth.com and receives no compensation.