Werkbezoek aan Calgary

𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐛𝐞𝐳𝐨𝐞𝐤 𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲

Onze collega Nasim Badaghi bezocht recent het team van Linda E. Carlson, PhD in Calgary om kennis uit te wisselen over mindfulness bij kanker en om hun nieuwe onderzoekslijnen te verkennen. Tijdens haar reis verkende ze ook de indrukwekkende Canadese natuur — met prachtige klimfoto’s als resultaat.

Hieronder lees je over wat ze daar heeft gedaan:

'I recently had the opportunity to visit Linda Carlson's lab in Calgary, where they're pioneering research in integrative therapies for cancer patients, including mindfulness-based interventions and, more recently, psychedelic-assisted therapy.

During my visit, I presented my PhD research on online mindfulness programs for people with cancer, and shared some of the work we’re doing at the Mindfulness Expertise Centre . I also had the chance to sit in on an MBCR session with an ongoing group. Experiencing it firsthand was great! It deepened my appreciation for how impactful mindfulness can be for cancer patients and highlighted its universal appeal across cultures. I also attended a meeting on their psychedelic research, and it was inspiring to see their commitment to improving quality of life for cancer patients.

Though my visit was brief, it was rewarding. It revealed just how closely our work at Mindfulness Expertise Centre aligns with theirs, and it reinforced the importance of holistic care. The focus on integrating mindfulness and other therapies into cancer treatment was particularly striking, and something we can definitely draw from. The experience also sparked the exciting possibility of a postdoc opportunity there, which could be a fantastic next step in my career.

While in Canada, I rented a campervan and gave myself a treat and climbed in Squamish, a top spot for rock climbers. I also explored Skaha Bluffs, Banff, and Canmore, surrounded by the stunning Canadian Rockies. The scenery was unforgettable, and the bear warnings were unforgettable too!'