Meet Our Teachers

• Joanne Cohen-Katz
• Susan Wiley
• Carol Sorrentino
• Ali Nass-Yepsen

Joanne Cohen-Katz, Ph.D., psychologist, Center for Mindfulness

Joanne Cohen-Katz, Ph.D., has had a lifelong interest in the connection between the mind and body, having grown up in a family where three people had chronic, stress-related illnesses. She began practicing yoga at the age of 18, and even lived in a residential yoga community for several years in her early 20's. Her entire professional career has involved working with patients in medical centers: helping them with family issues, coping with serious illness, or stress reduction. Ten years ago, she began practicing mindfulness meditation, and learned about the groundbreaking program Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.

"As a psychologist interested in the mind-body connection, I was thrilled to discover MBSR. It takes the essence of ancient awareness practices and delivers them in a way that anyone can benefit from, even those who are suffering with fairly serious medical conditions. It is the single most powerful approach I have ever used as a psychologist."

Cohen-Katz and her co-founder, psychiatrist Susan D. Wiley, M.D., started offering Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction classes in the Lehigh Valley in the Summer of 2001, and have trained over 350 patients. They both learned to teach this program from its founder, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. "Mindfulness gives people the tools to get their own lives back...not worrying about the past or the future...staying in the present," says Cohen-Katz.

Cohen-Katz, too, has dealt with stresses and uses mindfulness to cope. She dealt with infertility and found joy in adopting two children, now 3 and 6. "Parenting children in my 50s gives me an opportunity to use my mindfulness skills every day!" says Cohen-Katz. She, like those in the mindfulness course, shares her experiences and learns from the stories of others.

Susan D. Wiley, M.D., psychiatrist, Center for Mindfulness

One of Susan D. Wiley, M.D.’s great pleasures is sitting in the garden on her farm, listening to the birds and the water running, taking in all of the beauty that is present in every moment and feeling a part of it. And she wants her patients to have these experiences, too.

“We have all gotten pretty good at doing several things at once. This may seem more efficient and actually be necessary sometimes, but we are not really paying attention to any one of the activities we are involved in,” says Wiley, vice chairman of the department of psychiatry and co-founder of the Center for Mindfulness at Lehigh Valley Health Network. She and co-founder Joanne Cohen-Katz, Ph.D., learned mindfulness practice from Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D, who developed it at the University of Massachusetts 27 years ago. She and co-founder Joanne Cohen-Katz PhD., learned to teach mindfulness practices from John Kabat-Zinn, who developed the program 27 years ago at University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Wiley has continued her studies with senior teachers from the Center for Mindfulness at UMass.

Mindfulness has improved Wiley’s attention, helped her be more patient and compassionate and more accepting of life’s challenges. Wiley, who practices psychiatry in her office in Allentown, is excited about sharing mindfulness with others. “Some people suffer a catastrophic illness and still plow on, and others are overcome by small obstacles. Yet we all have the natural ability to be mindful. We just need to learn the right tools.”

Carol Sorrentino, R.N., co-teacher, Center for Mindfulness

For years, Carol Sorrentino, R.N., was on auto-pilot. She would drive to a destination without remembering how she got there or what she saw along the way. She would spend so much time fussing over preparations for holiday celebrations that she missed special moments with her family.

“I always prided myself on being able to do 20 things at one time,” says Sorrentino, a nurse of 35 years. “Then, I realized it was causing me stress and I was missing out on life’s pleasures.” That’s when she began practicing Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and learned to turn off her auto-pilot, focus and relax.

Now, Sorrentino, an advanced-practice nurse in child and adolescent mental health and a therapist, is helping others learn mindfulness practice as a co-teacher. “I want to help others steal moments and get the most of every one.” For instance, instead of tapping her foot impatiently while waiting for the elevator, Sorrentino takes a few deep breaths, relaxing her body and her mind. She’s using mindfulness to help care for patients, too. “I share techniques to help calm them and help them appreciate the things they have.”

Sorrentino discovered mindfulness several years ago after her significant other suffered a heart attack. The practice was included in a book about ways to lower your risk for heart disease. Realizing the power of mindfulness practice, she signed up for a class, attended a retreat with its founder Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., and has been practicing for five years. “Now my intention is to be present for every moment in my life,” she says.

Ali Nass-Yepsen, co-teacher, Center for Mindfulness

Ali Nass-Yepsen has always been curious about the mind and its connection to angst and stress. It's what led her to meditation more than 30 years ago, and more recently to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

"I was looking for peace of mind. Through meditation I discovered I can relax, focus more and let go of my expectations; and see things for what they really are," says Nass-Yepsen who co-teaches mindfulness classes. "With daily mindfulness practice, I feel more attentive and calm. It recharges my batteries."

Her appreciation and understanding of mindfulness expanded after attending a retreat with the program's founder Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. "Mindfulness practice helps you pay attention to your mind and senses," Nass-Yepsen says. "It doesn't make our stresses go away, but allows us to build new relationships with them. Anyone from any walk of life can do it."

Through mindfulness she has more to give to herself and others, including her mindfulness students and the 5- to 9-year-olds and their parents at Northwestern Lehigh Elementary School where Nass-Yepsen has been a guidance counselor for 18 years. "I am moved by those who have made the commitment to learn mindfulness," she says. "It's rewarding to hear their stories and learn how mindfulness is helping them enjoy life more."

Nass-Yepsen is even introducing mindfulness to young students. Before and after guidance lessons, she rings a bell three times, just as she does in mindfulness classes. "I ask the students to follow the sound of the bell until they can't hear it anymore," she says. "It helps them focus and relax for the lesson."

ARTICLE TOOLS: