Tag: Duke Integrative Medicine

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Integrative Medicine: Dr. Tracy Gaudet on NPR’s “The People’s Pharmacy”

Dr. Tracy GaudetIn case you missed it, Dr. Tracy Gaudet was the guest on yesterday’s installment of The People’s Pharmacy on NPR. Dr. Gaudet is the Executive Director of Duke Integrative Medicine, and she was the inspirational leader of the Integrative Health Coach Professional Training Program that I completed in May. Click HERE to listen to this great discussion.

[Blurb from the People’s Pharmacy site]:

Integrative medicine combines the latest medical techniques with ones that come from centuries-old healing traditions, such as acupuncture or yoga. What is the evidence behind such approaches?

Learn how integrative coaching can turn good intentions into practice.

Guest: Tracy Gaudet, MD, Executive Director of Duke Integrative Medicine. She is also Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University Medical Center. Her books include Consciously Female and Body, Soul and Baby.

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Integrative Health Coaching Training at DUKE: Module Four

integrativegarden.jpg

[The photo is of the “Labyrinth” at Duke Integrative Medicine]

It’s hard to believe, but Sunday my training came to an end and my friends and I were sent out into the world, certificates in hand, as Integrative Health Coaches. This last four-day module flew by, but fortunately we had plenty of time and space to reflect on and celebrate our four months together.

As with the previous modules, there were fascinating presentations (on Genomics, Spirtuality and Health, Business and Marketing) and opportunities to learn, practice and review coaching skills. It was the final module, though, so the major theme was “next steps,” as in: “What are you all actually going to do with this training, and how are you going to do it?” Of course, each of us has a unique answer to that question, and some of us (me!) are still trying to figure it all out.

To all those who’ve been following these posts to get the “inside scoop” on the training program, here’s the bottom line: It’s excellent. If you came across the description on the Duke website and thought to yourself, “This sounds amazing, but I wonder if it’s really worth it”—It’s totally worth it. There were a few participants who struggled at times and voiced some minor criticisms of the program privately, but everyone of them also expressed deep gratitude for the experience as a whole. Of course, no training will meet everyone’s needs and expectations. That said—I’ve been around the block a few times and have participated in trainings sponsored by mainstream, respected institutions, as well as a few interesting, yet kinda New-Agey/Woo-Woo affairs. This Integrative Health Coaching training at Duke Integrative Medicine has been hands-down, THE BEST. Solid, grounded in rigorous research, expertly crafted and delivered, and yeah, a little touchy-feely at times. But the mushy stuff came from a place of such open-heartedness and authenticity that it softened even the prickliest of us.

Most of all, though, this training was about the people—both those who instructed us and the forty or so of us who came from all over the country to form this community of kindred spirits. Many of us will continue to network and work together as we carry our visions forward in the world. What an amazing group of people! Thank you all.

If anyone has further questions about anything, feel free to comment here or email me at “isaacdust at gmail dot com.” You can also check out my professional website-in-progress, Integral Health Resources.com.

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Integrative Health Coaching Training at DUKE: Module Three

Jon Seskevich

It’s been about three weeks since Module Three, which means it’s only a few weeks until the fourth and final module. Things are happening so fast that it’s hard to keep track of what happened during Module Three, what happened in the weeks since, and what’s happening in my own head from moment to moment. Off the top of my head:

Module Three was awesome, as the entire training has been. We learned more coaching skills—specifically, how to work with people who have psychological issues, and how to do “group coaching”—and we practiced those skills on each other. The always inspiring Tracy Gaudet (Director of Duke Integrative Medicine) gave us an update on what she’s been up to lately. In February, Dr. Gaudet presented at the “Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public,” in Washington, DC, where she made the case for Integrative Health Coaching’s place in the future of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Evangeline Lausier gave a fascinating presentation on “nutritional supplements and botanicals.” Janet Shaffer taught us all about acupuncture and oriental medicine, and Dr. Jeff Brantley (Director the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program) did another wonderful session with us.

Of all the presenters—all of whom were very impressive—I was particularly impressed with Jon Seskevich, a nurse clinician at Duke Medicine who teaches stress and pain management skills to patients, most of whom are dealing with very challenging health conditions. Jon just blew me away with his gentle nature, his radiant kindness and his boundless compassion for others. He taught me a meditation technique that I used the very next day in the midst of difficult situation—and it was incredibly helpful.

We also met with some folks who graduated from the inaugural training (ours is only the second cohort to move through the training) to discuss setting up a professional association for Integrative Health Coaching. The staff at Duke is very supportive and we anticipate a future website where our community can come together and raise the field to new levels of awesomeness.

Speaking of new websites, Duke Integrative Medicine’s has a great new look, and my own website (Integral Health Resources.com) is shaping up rather nicely, if I do say so myself.

What more can I say. It’s all very exciting, and I look forward to Module Four, graduation, and then bringing all this into the world somehow (I’m still figuring that one out!).

Boo-ya!

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Integrative Health Coaching Training at DUKE: Module Two

Wheel of Health

Another four days of intense training at Duke Integrative Medicine have come and gone. Two modules down, two to go, and I’m feeling very good about the whole process. It was great to see everyone again, especially the other trainees. There was at least as much richness and learning happening during break times and lunch as there was during the training sessions. We were also given a block of program time to network in small groups of folks with similar interests and target populations. Most of the trainees intend to apply this training to their current job settings—places like hospitals, health care centers, schools, fitness centers, yoga studios, etc. My group was composed of the six or seven of us who are looking to start our own businesses/private practices. I know next to nothing about the ins and outs of business, marketing, insurance, taxes and that whole ball of wax, so it was very helpful for me to get the others’ perspectives. I’m pretty sure the trainers plan to cover some of the basics in a future module, but this initial brainstorming session was great. One of my big insights so far is that I don’t have to make everything happen on my own. The sense of community is really powerful at these trainings, and it’s changing the way I understand the idea of what a career can be.

We covered several topics related to Integrative Health in this module: nutrition, exercise, weight loss management, and the importance of one’s physical environment. Mindfulness is always emphasized, which I love. The chef—who’s been serving us fantastic gourmet meals everyday—put on a cooking class and we also practiced with some mindful eating. As always, the trainers gave us a ton of information—very well organized and with references to the supporting research—and the presenters were each experts in their respective fields who are affiliated with Duke Medicine.

Of course, we also spent many hours on coaching practice, breaking up into dyads or triads while the trainers floated around and offered feedback. The trainers also did several coaching demos to model specific skills and illustrate coaching concepts.

At the end, as in Module One, we were divided into groups of three, members of which will be practicing together via weekly conference calls during the month or so leading into Module Three. I’m looking forward to the calls, to the next module, to the networking with new friends and associates, and to working on my business plan and website.

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Integrative Health Coaching Training at DUKE: Module One

Tracy Gaudet

I’m through the first of four modules of the Integrative Health Coaching Training Program at Duke Integrative Medicine (DIM) and I’m very impressed so far. The strongest impression was left by Tracy Gaudet, the program director (pictured above). This woman is just bursting with passion and enthusiasm for bringing a holistic paradigm into the mainstream of healthcare. Don’t take my word for it though, just check out this in-depth interview on NPR.

I also found this little piece from the local news, which gives a feel for what’s going on at DIM:

The health coach training is divided into four modules, spaced about a month a part, each lasting four full days. In this first module we learned all about the philosophy and research behind DUKE’s practice of integrative medicine. The building itself was designed and built in accordance with this holistic vision, and it has the feel of a retreat center as opposed to a medical facility. The waiting room features a “water wall,” which is basically a glass wall with water flowing down the sides, and every room in the place has a view of the surrounding woods. They have an on-site chef who fed us gourmet, healthful lunches everyday. The food was incredible, and would easily translate into a thirty dollar meal at a nice restaurant.

The participants in the training are very impressive as well. It’s a really diverse group, with folks from all over the country, and some from over seas. Many are nurses, physician assistants, and other health care professionals, but I also met a New York City Firefighter, a dancer from Thailand, a health educator from the middle east, and a whole bunch of other interesting people. It was an intense four days, with lots of information to process and several opportunities to practice the skills we’re learning. We’ll also be practicing our skills via weekly conference calls between modules.

Anyway, it’s been a great experience so far and I’m looking forward to the second module in late February.

What exactly am I going to do with this training, when it’s all said and done? I’m still pondering that one…

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Integral Health Coaching

I’ve been working on a new project lately, namely to resolve this ongoing career dilemma of mine and finally start doing the kind of work I’ve been wanting to do for the past ten years. Through a stroke of good fortune/sweet synchronicity, I recently discovered Duke Integrative Medicine, which is right around the corner from me at Duke University. They have a brand new Integrative Health Coaching Training Program that is so “right up my alley” it’s just crazy. Check out the brochure if you’re curious to know the details.

I’ve been searching for years for a profession that would allow me draw upon my unique background, interests and strengths. This has been a struggle, because aside from my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and my fifteen years experience in mental health, most of my other interests and experiences are more “off the beaten path,” like my master’s degree in East/West Psychology, my training in Hanna Somatic Education, and my interest in mindfulness meditation. As an “Integrative Health Coach” (I prefer the term “Integral” to “Integrative” — which is nod to my grad school days at the California Institute of Integral Studies, as well as my fascination with philosopher Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory), I can bring all these things together, both to help people move toward better health and to help me finally feel at home in the work I do week in and week out.

So, I applied to the program, was accepted, and now damn it, I’m gonna do it! Look for my new website (integral health coaching dot com) a few weeks from now.

Boo-ya!