Shauna Shapiro
Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology
Shauna Shapiro was born at Stanford University hospital
and raised in Laguna Beach, CA. She received her A.B from
Duke University, graduating summa cum laude. She received
her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Arizona and served
as adjunct faculty at the University of Arizona Medical
School in Andrew Weil M.D.’s Program of Integrative
Medicine. Professor Shapiro has an emphasis in the field
of health psychology, focusing specifically on stress and
stress-management as well as positive psychology and well-being.
Professor Shapiro has a specific interest in mindfulness
meditation and attended professional trainings and internships
with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. and colleagues at the University
of Massachusetts as well as studying in Thailand and Nepal.
The majority of her research has focused in mindfulness
meditation and its applications for clinical and non-clinical
populations, including women with breast cancer, substance-dependent
adolescents, physicians, nurses, undergraduate and graduate
students. Professor Shapiro has given over 30 talks and
workshops in this area, both nationally and internationally.
Professor Shapiro has published 6 book chapters and 15 journal
articles appearing in journals such as Journal of Behavioral
Medicine, Academic Medicine, Advances in Mind-Body Medicine,
Journal of Psychosomatic Research. In 2003, Professor Shapiro
was selected as a Positive Psychology Summer Institute Scholar
for her work in mindfulness and its application to positive
health and healing and attended the 2003 Positive Psychology
Summer Institute hosted by Martin Seligman, Ph.D.
Professor Shapiro’s current research involves a continuation
of her research program in mindfulness meditation. Specifically,
she is interested in exploring the effects of mindfulness
training on incoming SCU freshman, in attempt to effect
both short term anxiety and stress, as well as develop skills
that will help students excel throughout college. Professor
Shapiro also plans to continue her exploration of the mediating
mechanisms of mindfulness meditation in attempt to determine
why mindfulness is helpful, e.g. What about mindfulness
meditation practice evokes change and positive outcome?
She lives in San Jose and Mill Valley. Her interests include
travel, yoga and meditation, hiking, and dancing.
