LCSW, CADC, CEAP
Evanston
(847) 869-2282
sqdixon@aol.com
Mindfulness Meditation Classes, Psycho Psychotherapy

Services

Describe your services:
I teach Mindfulness Based Meditation to small groups in my office in Evanston , on-site, in workplaces and organizations. The course consists of eight weekly two hour sessions available morning and evenings and includes:
1. Guided meditation and mindfulness
2. Gentle yoga,
3. Group Discussion
4. Breath work
5. Audio meditation CDs for homework

Meditation and mindfulness will enable you to quiet the chatter in your mind, lessen anxiety and stress and help you achieve a greater sense of peace, well being and control over your life.

How does your healing modality work?
Students enter a setting that lends itself to being quiet, still and safe. The class begins with some gentle yoga and the body and the mind become calmer.

This is followed by a guided meditation directing the participants to become aware of the breath and their breathing process. This continued awareness allows the mind to let go of its busy chatter, becoming more present to the moment. Being present to sounds to the breath to thoughts and to emotions in a non judging manner, can produce a feeling of calmness, a sense of being at ease with you…

How do you see your services evolving over the next three years?
In the next three years I plan to expand to more workplace settings and hospitals. Also I will offer women and coed yoga & meditation retreats in various locations through out the country.
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Benefits

What are the benefits/results people see?
Comments from past participants
“I have learned to calm myself when I am having an asthma attack.”
“I am more mindful of my feelings and able to handle anger more appropriately ”
“I am less reactive and more aware of what is going on inside me ”
“Now when I get anxious I recognize it right away and start paying attention to my breathing”

Why do people come to see you?
People come to see me and take the Mindfulness Meditation class to lessen their anxiety, quiet the chatter in their mind, and begin getting in touch with their emotions and finding options for managing them.

Who is an ideal client?
Someone who wants to gain a quality of serenity and learn to relax more quickly.
Someone who would like to feel or experience a greater sense of order and mastery over their life.

Someone who is committed to doing the meditation and mindfulness exercises each week to achieve a greater peace of mind.

What makes you different/good at what you do?
What makes me good begins with where I am. I have had many years of training in both psychotherapy and meditation. This training combined with my own individual therapy has helped me understand my self and others. I have developed an understanding of others that includes being empathetic, compassionate and perceptive with the clients and students I work with.
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Philosophy/Approach

Describe your healing philosophy:
I believe if we can learn how to slow down, by taking the time to mediate and be present to one thing at a time- we can feel less anxious and more connected to ourselves and others, allowing a feeling of wholeness to emerge.

Describe your style or approach:
I have a warm, spontaneous manner that encourages people to embrace the present moment. My experience as both a psychotherapist and meditation teacher has heightened my intuitive sense, enabling me to be present with people just as they are.

Why do you do what you do?
I teach meditation because it inspires me. I love meditating, being mindful, and in the moment. I continue to study meditation and yoga. I am excited about new awakenings and happy to share what I do know. I attend several weekend and weeklong meditation retreats each year.
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Education/Background

Education/Training:
I have a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University . I ‘m an LCSW and have had a private practice in Evanston , Illinois since 1985. I trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn at the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Western Massachusetts . I am currently in a two-year study program in Insight Meditation with the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, California

Years Professionally Practicing:
I have been meditating on a daily since 1990 and teaching since 2002.

Contributions/Publications:
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What to expect

Describe a typical session:
The MBSR course consists of 8 weekly two hour sessions, beginning with 10-15 minutes of gentle yoga followed by 20-30 minutes of guided meditation. This is followed by a group discussion around how the meditation is going on your own, what are the obstacles, difficulties, discoveries and insights

We continue with a short interactive talk on the topic of the week. It may be an explanation of the stress response, a mindfulness exercises, and an awareness of going on automatic pilot or a discovery of the joy in being present in the moment. We also talk about the things we do in everyday life to not be present to our direct experience and how to increase our awareness, raise our consciousness so we can be more aware and more present to this moment.

How long is a typical session?
2 hours for 8 weeks

Describe your office or treatment room:
The office’s high ceilings, wood floors and long windows give it a gracious calm feeling. Clients have said they feel both comfortable and safe, noting a peaceful, relaxed energy.

How should someone prepare for a session?
There is no formal preparation for the meditation class.
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Logistics

Office hours/days of the week:
Psychotherapy Noon to 8:00 PM: M-T-W-Thurs Meditation Classes are scheduled four times a year

Fee Range
Psychotherapy session $80-$90
Classes $350 per class

Take Insurance?
Yes. I am a provider on most behavioral health plans both HMO & PPO

Cancellation Policy?
No
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Closing comments

What else might someone want to know about you?
I love biking in the forest preserve, walking along Lake Michigan, doing Yoga, reading, hanging out with my husband and having fun and laughing with my friends.
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