The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center of Fairmont State University will host an eight-week-long Stress Reduction Workshop, organized by the Department of Behavioral Science and the Student Psychological and Sociological Association. The workshop will be presented by Dr. Tadashi Kato, a Professor of Psychology, Erika Van Dyke, a Ph.D. candidate in Sport Psychology, and students in psychology major. The first workshop will be from 6 pm to 7:30 pm on September 25th (Wednesday) and will continue on a weekly basis until November 13th (Wednesday).

The Stress Reduction Workshop is based on the well-established, mind-fullness-based-stress-reduction workshop model developed by University of Massachusetts Medical Center and currently widely used across the world. The weekly workshops include, but are not limited to (1) stretch exercises; (2) deep breathing; (3) muscle relaxation exercise; and (4) mindfulness contemplation.

Dr. Kato received his B.A. in Philosophy from University of Tokyo (1987), M.A. in Health Education from University of Tokyo (1989), and Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology from Ohio University (2000). He held clinical positions at Ohio University Health Clinic, Southeast Psychiatric Hospital in Ohio, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Counseling Center, State University of New York at Binghamton Counseling Center, and has taught at Fairmont State University since 2003. He regularly teaches History of Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Research Sequence, and also runs a psychophysiology lab where he incorporates physiological measurement device as the feedback system for stress reduction practice.

The workshop is open to both local community as well as campus community (faculty, staff, and students.) Admission is free. People are encouraged to participate for the full eight weeks, drop-ins are also welcome. Please bring a bottle of water and open mind.

For more information on the contents of the workshop, please contact Dr. Tad Kato (tkato@fairmontstate.edu). For more information on Folklife Center, please contact Dr. Francene Kirk (Elizabeth.Kirk@farmontstate.edu).