Communitas is a group medical visit for youth living with chronic illness and their parents. The goal of Communitas is to improve the lives, health, and well-being of young people living with chronic illness and their families by providing integrative medicine education and experiences, mind-body and mindfulness instruction, peer support, and empowerment with self-care skills.

Specifically, we will be teaching and practicing various mind-body and stress management skills, including meditation, mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, biofeedback, guided imagery, movement, and reflective and creative practices — all within a supportive group setting. We will also explore ways in which illness and adversity can lead to cultivation of resilience and positive transformation if given the right tools and community.

Participants:

• 14-21 year-olds living with a chronic physical condition (must be cognitively intact enough to be able to participate in the program in a meaningful way)
• Parents/guardians group, which meets separately from youth group

Instructor: Brittany Blockman, MD

Dates:

• Wednesdays starting 4/25 (8 sessions)
  3:45 – 5:15 pm

Fee: Communitas is covered by most insurance, including Medi-Cal. Scholarship funds may be available for low-income patients whose insurance doesn’t cover the program. Please call 415-353-7716 for details.