MINDFULNESS TRAINERS
Our trainers are what makes our work in the realms of mindfulness and brain science possible. Each of our trainers is certified and experienced, as well as passionate about the work they do.
Breanna Banks is the 4-H Healthy Living Program Coordinator for the state of Delaware. Breanna has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Delaware and is currently working towards completing a Master of Science in Health Promotion. Breanna coordinates the Walmart Healthy Habits grant and part of the SNAP-Ed grant in DE as part of her work to increase healthy diet and physical activity among at-risk and underserved youth. She is passionate about mindfulness and its connection to holistic health and has co-authored the GEM: Get Experience in Mindfulness 4-H Curriculum as well as is conducting a research study on the topic of mindfulness and stress in youth. Breanna has formal training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness.
BREANNA BANKS
Karen Barwick is a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health, a Certified Mindfulness Teacher and a life-long student of the human condition. Her work is deeply informed by an inter-disciplinary relational approach grounded in gestalt therapy, contemplative practices and the expressive arts. Karen brings a light-hearted, playful spirit to the complex process of healing and growth.
KAREN BARWICK, LPCMH
Jackie is a Certified Pastoral Mental Health Counselor. She has been practicing mindfulness for 10 years and was trained in teaching mindfulness at University of Pennsylvania. Jackie also studied Interpersonal Neurobiology under Dan Siegel at Mindsight Institute. Her experience is in teaching children ways to cope with stress anxiety and depression both as a school counselor and in individual counseling. Her passion is help children develop mindfulness skills with the hope of bringing greater resilience, peace and happiness.
JACKIE CORSINI
Jessica is an Accredited T’ai Chi Chih Instructor as well as a Master Personal Trainer, and a Certified Nutritional Counselor…her unique perspectives on the true nature of health and wellbeing have yielded an outstanding track record for coaching clients through profound physical and metaphysical transformations. As the face of her private practice SCULPT YOUR LIFE®, she’s been combining various relaxation/mindfulness techniques with customized exercise routines and solid nutritional advice for a diverse population of clients within their own homes all over Delaware and the greater Philadelphia area for over 16 years. Jessica is also Delaware’s only authorized instructor for VA Community Care Network’s T’ai Chi for Veterans program, the Lifestyle Coach at Hockessin Chiropractic Centre (one of Delaware’s only IFM certified Functional Medicine facilities), teaches for the American Red Cross, and holds a First Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do Karate.
JESSICA LEWIS, CPT, CNC
Linda Lonergan is a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health and Mindfulness Instructor in the State of Delaware. She is a committed mindfulness practitioner who considers personal practice an essential component to delivering mindfulness instruction to others. Linda is recognized as a Mindful Schools Certified Mindfulness Instructor having completed the 300-hour Year Long Training program. She has completed the Penn Medicine Mindfulness Practicum, 200-hour yoga teacher training (RYT200), as well as children’s yoga & mindfulness training through Child Light Yoga, in addition to other trainings throughout the years. Linda believes that mindfulness can be a path to healing and happiness and has a passion for sharing it with others.
LINDA LONERGAN
Bill is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Bill has received MBSR Teacher Certification from the Oasis Institute at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He has also received certifications through the International Mindfulness Teachers Association and Koru Mindfulness Program at Duke University. Currently, Bill is head of the Deltech’s Task Force on Mindfulness where he developed and implemented mindfulness classes for students, faculty, and staff and is in the process of developing a professional training program in mindfulness.
WILLIAM (BILL) MCCRACKEN, LCSW, ICADC, CMT-P
Laura is a graduate of the University of Delaware where she dual majored in Preschool and Kindergarten Education and Young Exceptional Children. She has a MS in Elementary Education and has completed additional graduate work in the area of Learning and Behavior Disorders. She has a Delaware Department of Education Early Childhood Administrator Certificate with Specialized Training Credentials for School age and Infants and Toddlers. Laura has over 30 years of experience teaching, administrating, coaching and collaborating with children, teachers, teacher candidates and families in inclusive early childhood programs and with high risk populations in public schools K to 12. Laura has presented over 35 workshops both locally and nationally, as well as, co-authored a chapter in the recently released book, Teaching Kindergarten: Learner-Centered Classrooms for the 21st Century.In addition to serving as a Master Teacher for the Lab School, Laura has also designed and led the I Can Be Mindful summer camp for young children for the past 6 years. Specific areas of passion include social and emotional learning, mindfulness practices for young children and families, and early childhood teacher preparation for today’s world.
LAURA MORRIS
Jenna Tedesco has a doctorate in psychology from Widener University, as well as mindfulness training from the University of Delaware and mindfulness teacher training from the University of Pennsylvania. Jenna has worked in the community mental health system in Philadelphia, as well as Amnesty International and the Liberty Center for Survivors of Trauma and Torture, Philadelphia Family Court, and Federal Court. Jenna is well-known for her work with veterans, including a program offering mindfulness-based interventions for Veterans and the people who love them, and the Vanguards of Mindful Stewardship program, which helps veterans continue to share these mindfulness teachings with others. In 2016, Jenna opened The Present Center for Mindfulness and Healing, which continues the tradition of offering mindfulness-based treatments and innovative groups and programs, integrating services for Veterans and non-Veterans alike.
JENNA TEDESCO, PH.D.
Jim Walsh is a Pastoral Counselor in private practice in Wilmington, DE, as well as an Assistant Professor at Wilmington University in the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Jim has received extensive training in the applications of mindfulness meditation within clinical mental health practice, including instruction at the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School with Jon Kabat-Zinn. Jim is also the Delaware Director of the Global Investment Fund for Tomorrow (GIFT), and works to bring the benefits of mindfulness to underserved populations within Delaware.
JAMES (JIM) WALSH, PH.D.