My Story and Credentials
I learned to quiet the noise of stress with mindfulness and you can too.
“Denise is an awesome instructor! Not only was the material helpful, but her soothing voice and personality helps with the stress reduction.”
—Former meditation student
Credentials and Expertise
* Author, Mindfulness Meditations for Stress, 100 Ways to Reduce Stress and Find Peace
* Accredited Hypnotherapist, Hypnotherapy Academy by Ali Campbell
* Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Instructor, UMASS Center for Mindfulness.
* 2-year Comprehensive Training, The Hakomi Method
* Master of Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Online Teaching and Learning, Concordia University, Portland
* Bachelor of Science, Human Development, University of California, Davis
* Tiny Habits Coach Certification by BJ Fogg
* Licensed Massage Practitioner, Massage Therapy Institute of Davis
* Certified Yoga Teacher, The Ashtanga Yoga Fellowship of Davis
* Reiki Master Teacher Certification, International House of Reiki
My Story.
I’m Denise Dempsey, an author, coach, mindfulness teacher, and an MBSR instructor for 18+ years, and I’m passionate about health and wellness. I live in a beautiful town near Sacramento, CA and serve meditation students worldwide. No matter how your journey unfolds, I’m grateful to have you here now.
I actually started as what I thought of as a “failed meditator.” At 10 years old, I tried to copy my dad who meditated to heal his ulcer. I wondered, “How could sitting in a chair with his eyes closed make his ulcer get better?”
As I tried to mirror his actions, I didn’t feel anything. I spent most of my time thinking I was doing it wrong, which made me even more curious about meditation. I wanted to know: what happens when you meditate? How do you know you’re doing it right?
In search of answers, I tried many styles of meditation. The most helpful training occurred while I was experiencing overlapping health issues. The related stress was having a negative impact on virtually every aspect of my life.
On a Thanksgiving visit to in-laws in 2003, my mother-in-law handed me a nunber of cassettes saying, “I think these guided meditations by Jon Kabat-Zinn will help you.”
I was skeptical, but began listening on my Walkman. I was struggling with a cold and, it may seem like a little thing, but after a guided meditation, my symptoms had diminished by half. It blew my mind and I started diligently meditating with the recordings everyday.
While had no aspirations at the time to become an MBSR teacher, I wanted to train with Jon Kabat-Zinn in person. When the opportunity arose, I considered leaving the job I held at UC Davis if I wasn’t able to get the time off. Fortunately I did, because that training changed my life.
After the professional training, Mindfulness in Mind-Body Medicine, I remember asking Jon, “Would it be appropriate for me to start teaching MBSR?” Jon had a very Zen reply. He said, “Yes. Just don’t teach what you don’t know.” I have often reflected on those words of wisdom.
Since that April in 2003, I underwent advanced MBSR teacher training, including a 10 week MBSR teaching practicum at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, CA and teacher certification from the UMASS Medical School Center for Mindfulness. I’ve taught over one hundred 8-week programs for a variety of health organizations and close to three thousand students.
Since 2003, I have taught on behalf of many health organizations including:
* Sutter Health (where I am currently a credentialed provider)
* UC Davis
* Woodland Healthcare
* Hill Physicians Medical Group
* Community Psychiatry
* East Coast Mindfulness
* EngagementHealth (for whom I created a 48-week online programs).
I’m also an author of the book Mindfulness Meditations for Stress: 100 Simple Practices to Ease Tension and Find Peace. I am happy to have played a role in helping mindfulness become more and more accessible in my community and online.
I’m so delighted and grateful that I have been able to continue learning, growing, and supporting others interested in meditation and wanting to relieve suffering. I would love to support you to bring mindfulness into your own journey of health and healing.
My book:
Mindfulness Meditations for Stress: 100 Simple Practices to Ease Tension and Find Peace.
By Denise G. Dempsey
100 Practical exercises to build a lasting mindfulness practice
Stress can manifest in different ways, making it all the more important to check in with yourself and live mindfully. Mindfulness Meditations for Stress is filled with dozens of simple, straightforward meditations that cover a wide spectrum of stressors so you can ease tension and create calm in your life no matter what hardships life presents.
“Denise is an excellent example of living mindfully. The recordings she provided help to provide guidance and structure to a daily practice. I could go on and on about how much her knowledge and skillset adds.”
—Former meditation student
Why receive training from me?
I orient my sessions and classes to support personal empowerment. A lifetime of benefit can endure long beyond the time we work together, supported by numerous client and student testimonials.
I possess a strong professional understanding of how we heal and are able to grow and change.
In addition to my accreditation as a hypnotherapist and MBSR teacher, I have experience in areas like counseling, coaching, behavior change, group leadership.
As a hypnotherapist, I have personally experience the life-changing benefits of this method.As a lifelong meditator, I understand meditation and mindfulness from the inside out.
“Denise is a wonderful instructor! She is supportive and motivating without making you feel pressured or guilty. I really enjoy her teaching style which lets us generate our own insights and points us in the right direction but gives us the freedom to have a unique and personal experience.”
—Former meditation student
Start making lasting change in your life today
If you’re not sure which program is right for you, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me. I’m happy to guide you.