Practical Mindfulness in Anxiety Recovery is a small group six week course for anyone struggling with chronic or disordered anxiety that wants to apply the principles of acceptance and mindfulness but can't seem to really get a grasp on how to do that.
If you want to use an acceptance/tolerance based approach to anxiety but aren't really sure of how to do that, this skills group is for you.
If you've been trying to "do mindfulness" because you've heard that its good for anxiety but you're not making any progress, this group is for you.
If you're drawn to the concepts of acceptance and mindfulness but think "it doesn't work for you", this group is for you.
If you try to be mindful but, "I can't get my mind to turn off!" ... this group is for you (spoiler alert - mindfulness doesn't turn off thoughts).
This is a skills based live course. We'll meet each week in a small group via Zoom (maximum of 12 participants) to go over principles of mindful awareness and acceptance, practice them together in our meetings, and discuss ways to practice between meetings. The goal of the course is to take the mystery and misconceptions out of mindfulness while finding practical, useful ways to put an often confusing concept into play in your life.
Week One - What Is Mindfulness?
Defining mindfulness. Exploring beliefs about what mindfulness is and how to apply it. Dispelling myths and misconceptions about mindfulness, especially in the context of anxiety disorder recovery.
Week Two - How Does Mindfulness Relate To Acceptance?
Accepting a thing we hate and/or fear is almost impossible if we can’t first begin to recognize reflexive resistance. Mindfulness as a path toward conscious choice and away from mindless reactivity.
Week Three - Rigid Resistance vs Openness To Experience (Acceptance/Tolerance)
Why it’s OK to not want to be anxious or afraid, but why rigid resistance to those experiences keeps us stuck. Recognizing that human nature is to resist what we do not like. Why opening up to experiences is helpful. How mindful acceptance fits into this process.
Week Four - Being Vs Doing
An exploration of our constant state of “doing” and why simply “being” even for a few minutes at a time can be so difficult. How learning to “be” (rather than doing) is part of cultivating mindful non-judgmental awareness that fosters acceptance and willful tolerance.
Week Five - Mindfulness When Triggered: Anticipatory and Present-Moment Anxiety
How do I “do mindfulness” when triggered?! The application of mindful awareness in anticipatory anxiety and current-moment anxiety. Turning anticipatory anxiety on its head in a productive way.
Week Six - What's Next? Practice, Practice, Practice!
Recognizing that mindful, non-judgmental awareness and considered response (rather than unconscious reaction) only emerges over time … with practice! Exploring formal and informal mindfulness practices. Tips for how to incorporate the practice of paying attention non-judgmentally into life and recovery going forward.
I am a clinician with a specialization in anxiety and anxiety disorders, I've done quite a bit of training in mindfulness based treatments and mindfulness itself, and I have been maintained a formal mindfulness practice of my own for many years. Oh, I also struggled with panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, and depression for many years of my life and while I didn't know I was doing it, I used mindfulness principles in my own recovery. So ... maybe I'm a good choice to talk about these things, eh? If you want to know more about me, my bio is here.
It's a team effort!
Practical Mindfulness in Anxiety Recovery is taught by Drew Linsalata (MHC-LP), Lauren Rosen(LMFT), and Joanna Hardis (LISW-S). Drew, Lauren and Joanna are all therapists specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders and OCD. All three have strong mindfulness and acceptance components not only in their professional practices, but also in their personal lives.
Drew Linsalata is the creator and host of The Anxious Truth Podcast, and co-host of Disordered, both of which boast large, engaged audiences. Drew is a pre-licensed therapist in New York specializing in anxiety and anxiety disorders, and a bestselling author, educator, and advocate in the anxiety disorder community. A former sufferer of panic disorder, agoraphobia, and clinical depression for more than 25 years before fully recovering, Drew has lived the experiences he speaks and write about.
Lauren Rosen is a psychotherapist and the Founder & Director of the Center for the Obsessive Mind. While the center is based in Southern California, Lauren also works with individuals in Florida, Utah and Nevada. In her work as a therapist, Lauren specializes supporting people who struggle with OCD, Anxiety Disorders, Eating Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders. She also has experience supporting individuals in navigating trauma and depression. Find Lauren on her website here.
Joanna Hardis is a therapist practicing in Cleveland, Ohio with a specialty in treating anxiety and OCD. Joanna is drawn to helping those with anxiety and OCD get better. Joanna has degrees from Cornell and Case Western University, with advanced treating in CBT at the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy, OCD treatment under Dr. Edna Foa at UPenn, and treating adolescents and children with OCD through the Behavior Therapy Training Institute. Joanna has also trained at UPenn in the use of prolonged exposure. You can find Joanna on her website here.
Practical Mindfulness educational/skills groups run for six weeks.
Groups are limited to no more than 15 participants.
Your group will meet each week at the same day/time via Zoom.
Sessions are 60-minutes long and include a combination of group practice, discussion, and lecture.
There are homework assignments between group meetings. Developing mindful non-judgmental awareness is about practice and experience first and foremost so plan on making an effort to practice between meetings.
Schedule:
(Zoom links will be provided via email after sign-up)
Here's the schedule for all six meetings. Remember that I am in New York so these are times in my timezone (Eastern Time).
Session 1: Friday March 20, 2026 - 3 PM Eastern
Session 2: Friday March 27, 2026 - 3 PM Eastern
Session 3: Friday April 10, 2026 - 3 PM Eastern
Session 4 - Friday April 17, 2026 - 3 PM Eastern
Session 5 - Friday April 24, 2026 - 3 PM Eastern
Session 6 - FridayMay 1, 2026 - 3 PM Eastern
NOTE THERE IS NO CLASS ON APRIL 3, 2026
Requirements/Prerequisites
A comfortable, quiet place to sit, preferably where you will not be disturbed. Feel free to bring a snack of beverage - this is quite informal. There will be a few very basic mindful movement exercises included so wear comfortable clothing. If you are restricted by mobility or injury that's OK. Participation in movement exercises can be skipped or modified as needed to fit your situation. You don't have to be an experienced meditator or have an established mindfulness practice at all. Beginners are welcome! Finally, come with an open mind and an attitude of exploration and experimentation. Try to drop any preconceptions about anxiety management or control, or being able to calm yourself or shut down your thoughts. There is no striving/achieving in mindfulness. 💜
These are not recorded. There are no replays and no make-up sessions. Please be sure that the group days/times fit into your schedule before reserving your spot. There will be other groups run on different days and at different times so if this one doesn't work for you, there will be opportunities to join other groups when they are announced.
I know that the days/times of this group might not work for everyone. If this particular day/time combination doesn't fit into your schedule but you still want to join a group, sit tight. I will be running this group on other days and times too. There will likely be evening (east coast) sessions and maybe even Saturday sessions, so stay tuned for announcements about this. However, keep in mind that the waiting list for this 20-person group is now at well over 300 people so my reality is that I can't possibly accommodate everyone that wants to join a group. I'll do my best while also adhering to my principles of "non scaling". Mental health isn't about selling as many seats as possible. It doesn't work that way.
If you'd like to download a free practical mindfulness practice to get a feel for what this all looks like, and join the wait list for the next groups, click here.
Practical Mindfulness in Anxiety Recovery is not therapy or group therapy. This is a practical skills group, not a general support group or therapy group. There are no fantastic promises about attaining freedom, crushing your anxiety forever, or leaping into full recovery as a result of joining the group. The group is designed to provide understanding and some basic introductory mindfulness skills and practices that you can build on in your recovery journey. Joining the group does not replace therapy or group therapy. Joining the group does not create a therapist/client relationship between you and I. Your relationship with your therapist or counselor comes first and as always, you should consult with qualified in-person help when it comes your your mental health and wellness.
It's pretty easy. Just use the Sign Up button below. Create an account if you don't already have one and finish the sign-up process.
If you need help signing up or using this site in general, feel free to to drop me an email and I'll do my best to help. Just note that I cannot answer specific questions about your anxiety or recovery via email so this is just for help signing up for the group or using this site.