Mindfulness Teacher Training Faculty

Meet Your MCMI Certification Faculty

World-Class Academic Credentials Meet Practical Teaching Experience

MCMI MindCoachers Certified Mindfulness Instructor Logo - IMTA Accredited Professional Credential
IMTA Accredited Professional Mindfulness Teacher Training Program - International Certification Standards

Meet the architects of the MCMI credential. Our faculty are published specialists in ACT and neuroscience, dedicated to training the next generation of professional mindfulness instructors.

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Dr. Nikki Rubin, Psy.D.

MCMI Lead Faculty  | Licensed Clinical Psychologist & UCLA Associate Clinical Professor

MTTEMPCJ Mindfulness Teacher Training Faculty
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  • Bridging Science and Sentience

    In my work as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and an Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA, , I aim to bridge doctoral-level behavioral science with the practical teaching of mindfulness. My goal is to ensure that teachers are equipped with evidence-based knowledge, professional judgment, and psychological flexibility to guide safely in high-stakes professional settings.

Key Expertise

✦ Academic Leadership: UCLA clinical faculty teaching ACT and mindfulness frameworks to doctoral psychology students, emphasizing evidence-based practice and professional application.
✦ Third-Wave CBT Authority: Experienced in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and guiding students on psychological flexibility frameworks.
✦ Translating Theory to Practice: Skilled in self-compassion protocols supporting learners to integrate mindfulness safely into professional contexts..

Academic Background & Credentials

✦ Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Clinical Psychology | Pepperdine University
✦ Master of Arts (M.A.), Psychology | Pepperdine University
✦ Licensed Clinical Psychologist | California (PSY30047) & New York (019595)
✦ Associate Clinical Professor | UCLA Clinical Psychology PhD Program (ACT Training)
✦ Past Adjunct Professor Clinical Supervisor | Columbia University Teachers College

  • Empowering the Embodied Teacher

    Mindfulness is not just a mental exercise—it is a physiological state. My mission is to provide a deep literacy of the nervous system, equipping you to guide others with a body-centered approach that prioritizes safety, choice, and authentic somatic regulation.

Key Expertise

✦ TCTSY Facilitation: Certified facilitator in Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), an evidence-informed protocol for trauma-informed mindfulness practice.
✦ Nervous System Regulation: Skilled in polyvagal-informed approaches, guiding others to safely downregulate the nervous system for resilience.
✦ Chronic Illness & Mind-Body Research: Published author and researcher on mindfulness for chronic conditions (e.g., Type 1 Diabetes), offering a unique perspective on applied mind-body practice.
✦ Embodied, Choice-Based Teaching: Focused on interoception and somatic-centered facilitation to support safe and trauma-informed guidance.

Academic Background & Credentials

✦ Master of Arts (M.A.) | Advanced Somatic & Mindfulness Interventions
✦ Certified TCTSY Facilitator | Center for Trauma and Embodiment (CFTE)
✦ Published Researcher | Mind-Body Interventions for Chronic Illness
✦ Health Specialist | Focus on Somatic Dysregulation & Health Psychology

Kelsey M. Dietrich, M.A.

MCMI Lead Faculty | Trauma-Sensitive Yoga & Somatic Specialist

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MTTEMPCJ Mindfulness Teacher Training Faculty 1

Frédéric Giraud, CMT-P

Founder & MCMI Lead Faculty  Certified MBCR Specialist & Trauma-Informed Educator

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MTTEMPCJ Mindfulness Teacher Training Faculty 1

  • Authenticity Through Lived Experience

    I believe the most effective teachers are those who have walked the path they describe. My mission is to move mindfulness beyond the conceptual, training instructors to facilitate with authentic depth and trauma-informed precision—supporting people through their most challenging life transitions.

Key Expertise

✦ Direct MBCR Mentorship: Personally trained and certified in Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery by the program’s founders, Drs. Linda Carlson and Michael Speca (University of Calgary).
✦ Lived Experience Authority: As a cancer survivor, Frédéric brings an unmatched “insider” perspective to the mechanics of fear, resilience, and the healing process.
✦ Crisis & Trauma Response: Currently leading mindfulness initiatives for DANA-affected populations in Valencia, applying real-time trauma-informed crisis response.
✦ Somatic Regulation: Certified in Pranayama and Hatha Yoga (Kerala, India), integrating breathwork and body-based tools into the modern mindfulness framework.

Academic Background & Credentials

✦ Certified CMT-P | International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA)
✦ Certified MBCR Instructor | Trained by Drs. Carlson & Speca (Founders of MBCR)
✦ Mindful Educator Essentials | Mindful Schools Graduate
✦ Advanced Breathwork & Yoga Certification | Sivasoorya Divine School, India
✦ Founder | MindCoachers IMTA-Accredited Training

Dr. Pallavi Visvanathan, Ph.D.

Guest Lecturer | MBCT Expert & Clinical Psychology Authority

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MTTEMPCJ Mindfulness Teacher Training Faculty 7

  • Clinical Precision in Mindfulness

    Mindfulness is one of our most potent tools for mental health and wellbeing when applied with evidence-based rigor. My mission is to help practitioners understand the principles of MBCT and psychological science, ensuring they can guide individuals through stress, emotional challenges, and life transitions with confidence and care.

Key Expertise

✦ MBCT Mastery: Founder of the Manhattan Center for Mindfulness-Based Therapy, with 20+ years of experience in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
✦ Clinical Research: Collaborative researcher with the NYU School of Medicine, ensuring her teaching is grounded in the latest evidence-based protocols.
✦ Complex Presentations: Leading specialist in integrating mindfulness with exposure-based therapy for OCD, chronic pain, and insomnia.
✦ Third-Wave CBT: Expert in the intersection of ACT and traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for life transitions and medical trauma.

Academic Background & Credentials

✦ Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | Clinical Psychology, University of Denver
✦ Licensed Clinical Psychologist | 20+ years of high-level clinical practice
✦ Advanced Facilitator | Specialist in MBCT, CBT, and ACT interventions
✦ Director | Manhattan Center for Mindfulness-Based Therapy

  • Authenticity in the Gold Standard

    I believe in the transformative power of MBSR when delivered with rigor and authenticity. My mission is to help you master the original mindfulness protocols, ensuring you can communicate psychological principles clearly and compassionately, so your students can develop lasting resilience and wellbeing.

Key Expertise

✦ UMass Certified MBSR: Trained and authorized directly by the University of Massachusetts, the birthplace of MBSR, ensuring you learn the curriculum in its purest, most evidence-based form.
✦ Clinical Directorship: Over 13 years as the Director of Centro Psyke, a leading clinical psychology center, specializing in the integration of ACT and humanistic therapy.
✦ Academic Research: Active collaborator with the University of Valencia on research evaluating the effects of mindfulness on anxiety and depression.
✦ Communication Mastery: Leveraging a dual background in Psychology and Journalism to teach the art of “Mindful Inquiry” and effective group facilitation.

Academic Background & Credentials

✦ Licenciada (Bachelor’s), Psychology | University of Valencia
✦ Bachelor’s, Communication & Journalism | University of Valencia
✦ Certified MBSR Instructor | University of Massachusetts (Original Curriculum)
✦ Director | Centro Psyke (Licensed Clinical Center – 13+ years)
✦ Research Collaborator | MBSR Clinical Efficacy Studies

Thaïs Capella Solano

Guest Lecturer | MBSR Specialist & Clinical Psychology Director

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Dr. Stephanie Sacks, Ph.D.

Guest Lecturer | Clinical Psychologist & National Trauma/PTSD Expert

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MTTEMPCJ Mindfulness Teacher Training Faculty 7

  • Safety through Clinical Rigor

    Mindfulness is a powerful tool for resilience and wellbeing, especially in the face of stress or past trauma. My mission is to empower teachers with trauma-informed, evidence-based protocols and the practical skills needed to guide students safely and compassionately through challenging emotional experiences.

Key Expertise

✦ Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Expert: Nationally recognized authority in evidence-based approaches for complex trauma, integrating insights from PTSD, prolonged exposure, and resilience science into trauma-informed teaching.
✦ Veteran-Focused Training: Completed advanced fellowships in trauma at the VA Medical Center, applying these principles to guide safe, body-centered mindfulness practices.
✦ Complex Group Facilitation: Designs programs for high-stakes environments where participants face intense stress or trauma, ensuring ethical and effective mindfulness guidance.
✦ Academic Leadership: Adjunct Professor at USC and Nova Southeastern University, teaching evidence-informed strategies for stress regulation, trauma safety, and resilience.

Academic Background & Credentials

✦ Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | Clinical Psychology, University of Miami
✦ National Trainer & Consultant | Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD
✦ Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Specialized in Trauma, PTSD, & Anxiety Disorders
✦ Adjunct Professor | University of Southern California (USC) & Nova Southeastern
✦ Founder & Director | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center of the Palm Beaches

World-Class Credentials Meet Practical Teaching

Skip the theory and start teaching. In our Mindfulness Teacher Training, you don’t just watch—you lead. Guide real practices every week, get immediate feedback, and build your skills in a safe, supportive environment.

MCMI Methodology Architects

Our faculty designed the MCMI credential by integrating ACT, trauma-sensitive protocols, and neuroscience. Led by Dr. Nikki Rubin (UCLA) and Frédéric Giraud (MBCR), this team created the specialized methodology that defines the MindCoachers standard.

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IMTA Accredited

The MCMI curriculum meets the highest global competency standards. This IMTA accreditation ensures your training is recognized in 40+ countries, providing the professional portable status required for clinical insurance billingand Fortune 500 corporate contracts.

Published & Field-Experienced Specialists

Learn from field-experienced experts who have authored influential works in mindfulness and psychology. Our specialists bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, ensuring you graduate with proven, evidence-based tools.

Faculty & Expertise FAQ

Common questions about the mentorship and professional standards of our Mindfulness Teacher Training.

Our faculty combine academic expertise, professional teaching credentials, and long-standing mindfulness practice to deliver the MindCoachers Certified Mindfulness Instructor (MCMI) credential—the only IMTA-accredited programme integrating ACT, trauma-sensitive protocols, and neuroscience foundations.

The team includes IMTA-certified mindfulness teachers, university-based faculty contributing expertise in ACT-informed and evidence-based psychology, and senior practitioners with extensive experience teaching mindfulness across healthcare, education, and organizational settings.

For example, Dr. Nikki Rubin, Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA, contributes her expertise in psychological flexibility and ACT-informed mindfulness education within professional training contexts. All faculty teach within clearly defined ethical and professional boundaries, ensuring the training remains focused on mindfulness teaching competence, not clinical qualification.

This combination ensures your training is rigorous, evidence-informed, and professionally grounded, while remaining fully consistent with IMTA standards and scope of practice.

Yes. Unlike “video-only” courses, our faculty teach all 12 live modules and workshops. You will engage in direct Q&A, observe live demonstrations, and receive expert feedback. Faculty review the capstone assessments and participate in the Community of Practice.

Standard mindfulness trainings often focus on what to teach, but not why certain approaches work—or when they may be inappropriate. Our faculty provide in-depth, evidence-informed instruction in ACT-informed mindfulness (values clarification, cognitive defusion, psychological flexibility) and trauma-sensitive teaching principles (nervous system awareness, choice-based language, and pacing).

This foundation helps you teach responsibly and effectively in healthcare-adjacent, corporate, educational, and other high-stress environments—where generic mindfulness instruction can fall short—while staying firmly within your professional scope of practice.

Yes. Guest expeYes. Select guest experts are strategically integrated into specific modules throughout the 12-week curriculum. These contributors bring specialized perspectives from complementary fields, enriching the training with diverse professional lenses.

Their participation expands the learning beyond a single methodology, creating a multidisciplinary, international masterclass experience while remaining fully aligned with the program’s core teaching standards..

Ready to Learn from World-Class Faculty?

Join our September 2026 cohort and study with UCLA faculty and trauma specialists who bridge academic research with practical teaching skills.
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⭐ September 2026 Cohort ⭐