Dr. Ronald Siegel

Bio

Ronald D. Siegel, Psy.D., is an assistant clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Siegel earned his bachelor's degree (cum laude) at Wesleyan University and his doctorate in psychology at Rutgers University. Dr. Siegel serves on the Board of Directors and faculty of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy, and teaches internationally about the application of mindfulness practice in psychotherapy and other fields. He is the coauthor of Back Sense: A Revolutionary Approach to Halting the Cycle of Chronic Back Pain; coeditor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, author of The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems, and coeditor of Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy: Deepening Mindfulness in Clinical Practice.

Activity

  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel was mentioned in an article:

    The Science of Happiness

    The science of happiness is getting major attention these days. The Today show covered it for a solid week. A St. Louis researcher received a $5 million

    ...Full Post
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    What are the benefits of mindfulness meditation?

    Psychotherapists have turned to mindfulness meditation as an important element in the treatment of a number of problems, including depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, couples' conflicts, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some experts believe that it works, in part, by helping people...Read More
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    What is mindfulness?

    Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment—and accepting experience without judgment. The cultivation of mindfulness has roots in Buddhism, but most religions include some type of prayer or meditation technique that helps shift your thoughts away...Read More
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel was mentioned in an article:

    The Science of Happiness

    The science of happiness is getting major attention these days. The Today show covered it for a solid week.
    ...Full Post
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel was mentioned in an article:

    Can Money Buy Happiness?

    When it comes to money and happiness, a lot of us think the grass is greener on the richer side. We’d be happier in a bigger house with a heated pool and

    ...Full Post
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel was mentioned in a slideshow:

    Health Experts Answer: What Is Happiness?

  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel was mentioned in a slideshow:

    Health Experts Answer: What Is Happiness?

  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    What is mindfulness meditation?

    Mindfulness meditation builds upon concentration practices. In mindfulness meditation, once you establish concentration, you observe the flow of inner thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judging them as good or bad. You also notice external sensations such as sounds, sights,...Read More
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    How can I practice mindfulness in my everyday life?

    You can cultivate mindfulness informally by focusing your attention on your moment-to-moment sensations during everyday activities. This is done by single-tasking—doing one thing at a time and giving it your full attention. As you floss your teeth, pet the dog, or eat an apple, slow down the process...Read More
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    How can I be happy?

    In an early phase of positive psychology research, Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson of the University of Michigan examined several routes to happiness to explore an individual's inclination to pursue each one. They chose three pathways to start:
    • Feeling good. Seeking pleasurable emotions
    ...Read More
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    How can practicing mindfulness improve my well-being?

    Increasing your capacity for mindfulness (awareness and acceptance of your present experience) supports many attitudes that contribute to a satisfied life. Being mindful makes it easier to savor the pleasures in life as they occur, helps you become fully engaged in activities, and creates...Read More
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    What is true happiness?

    "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!" As you once did when you sang, clapped, stomped, and shouted along with the kids' song, you probably recognize when you're feeling happy. Happiness might be experienced differently at times—say, as a warm sense of contentment, or as ecstatic ...Read More
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    What is flow?

    Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, distinguished professor of psychology at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, Calif., calls the state of intense absorption "flow"—the experience of being fully involved in an activity, marked by a sense of concentration and control and a lack of self-con...Read More
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    What differences in understanding happiness exist among religions?

    Virtually all of the world's religions offer paths to inner peace, meaning, and fulfillment. Buddhism, one of the world's ancient religions, teaches that a person can find psychological freedom and inner peace through recognizing the interconnectedness of all things, transcending the illusion of...Read More
  • Dr. Ronald Siegel - Lincoln, MA - Psychology
    Dr. Ronald Siegel answered:

    What are the characteristics of flow?

    Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, distinguished professor of psychology at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, Calif., found that flow experiences (experiences of being fully involved in an activity) have several common characteristics.

    You lose awareness of time. You aren't watching the clock,...Read More