Stephanie Misaki Whiting, MA, MS

Personal and Professional Growth
Through Lifelong Learning


swhiting48@gmail.com


What does it mean to be well?

How can we develop our relationship and communication skills
to improve our personal and professional lives?

How can we take responsibility for our own self-care and
personal development?


As a wellness educator and psychotherapist, Stephanie Whiting has helped individuals and groups gain increased awareness of communication styles, work habits, cultural conditioning and lifestyle choices. Her goal is to assist people in becoming mindful of their present practices, in exploring choices towards a more effective level of functioning, and ultimately, in creating a more rewarding life.

Her current focus is offering counseling for people with cancer and their families to help them manage emotional, physical and spiritual issues resulting from cancer diagnosis, treatment and side effects, post-treatment, recurrence and end of life issues.

Early psychological intervention for people diagnosed with cancer is important in helping them to adjust to diagnosis, cope with treatment and deal with lifestyle changes. In addition, anxiety and emotional distress can adversely affect patients’ ability to be proactive in their treatment and to build health. Persistent negative mood may prevent patients’ optimal participation in treatment, as well as affect their ability to engage in healthful behaviors, such as eating nutritiously, exercising, getting restful sleep and staying connected to family and friends.

In addition to individual and family counseling, Stephanie leads Mind-Body Skills Groups, teaching techniques that are effective in stress reduction, symptom management and pain control. Practices such as meditation, imagery, relaxation breathing, expressive writing and artwork help individuals cope with physical and emotional symptoms of stress. They regain clarity and balance, as well as a sense of self-efficacy.

One of the ways she nurtures her personal wellness is through participation in powerlifting. Recently she was recognized for her contributions to the sport:

Stephanie Misaki Whiting was recently inducted into the USA Powerlifting Women’s Hall of Fame for her significant impact as a pioneer in the sport. She began lifting in 1982 and has competed in over 60 meets, both nationally and internationally. In addition, Stephanie served many years as a national administrator, state chair and national referee. Her current involvement includes helping to coordinate Wisconsin Special Olympics powerlifting. She still enjoys competing and holds state records. For more complete information see article at website: http://www.usapowerlifting.com/halloffame/women/stephanie_whiting/index.shtml

Professional Training

With a Master of Arts degree in Communication and a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology, Stephanie combines experience from the workplace, from teaching and from counseling to develop programs and workshops. She has completed the CancerGuides Professional Training Program sponsored by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine (Washington DC) and the University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing. The CancerGuides program trains health care providers and mental health professionals to work as integrative cancer care counselors. She has also completed the Mind-Body Medicine Professional Certification Program offered by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine.

As a member of the National Wellness Institute, she was involved in both the planning and the presentation of programs at the National Wellness Conference. She has given presentations and facilitated workshops for work groups, for community and campus organizations, and for regional and national conferences.

Her professional affiliations and activities include the American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, National Wellness Association, Wisconsin Counseling Association, USA Powerlifting and Wisconsin Special Olympics Powerlifting.

Stephanie has joined the faculty of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine's professional training programs. She was a faculty member at the Center's most recent training in New Orleans in September 2007. Over 130 health care professionals, mental health workers, educators and pastoral counselors attended the six day training. The Center has been working closely with health and mental health providers in the New Orleans area to help them deal with the region's psychologically devastated populations. For more information on the Center for Mind-Body Medicine's training programs, see their website http://www.cmbm.org

Resources

Stress Management Tips - Saying Yes and Feeling Frazzled?  by Stephanie Misaki Whiting

Four Part Series: Handling your Anger Well  by Stephanie Misaki Whiting


Recent Workshops

  • October 2007  "Strategies for Dealing with Depression and Loss" -
    Parkinson's Support Group, Aging and Disability Resource Center,
    Stevens Point.
  • Ongoing - "Mind-Body Skills Groups: Self-Care for Stress Reduction and Symptom Management" (held about every 3-4 months)
  • September 2006 "Managing Children's Anger" - Working Together to
    Support Our Children and Families, Early Childhood Professionals
    Conference, Stevens Point
  • February 2006 "Managing the Stress of a Chronic  Condition" - Chronic Conditions Support Group, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Stevens Point
  • January 2006 "Changing Compulsive Eating: The Emotional Roots of Overeating" - a workshop series for Sentry Insurance, Stevens Point.
  • February 2005 "Preventing and Coping with Job Burnout" - a workshop series for Stora Enso North America, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
  • October 25, 2004 "Handling Stress Without Smoking" presentation for the
    'You Can Quit' Smoking Cessation Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Stevens Point.
  • June 8, 2004 "Keeping Your Well Filled: Self Care and Balance for Caregivers" Hospice Services, Stevens Point.
  • March 29, 2004 "Mind-Body Skills for Stress Management" Northwest Day Treatment Center Staff Training, Stevens Point.
  • April 13, 2004 "Keeping Well in Mind and Body" Presentation for the "I Can Cope" cancer education program, St. Michael's Hospital, Stevens Point.
  • April 28, 2004 "Self-Care for the Care Givers" Care Givers Support Group, Department on Aging, Stevens Point.
  • October 14, 2003 "Journaling Your Way to Health & Wellness" A workshop for the Wausau Hospital Breast Cancer Support Group, Wausau, Wisconsin.

Recommended Links

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