Meet Joanne, founder of The Mindful Makist
Hey there! I'm Joanne Chan, and I wear many hats, all of which I'm incredibly passionate about. First and foremost, I'm the proud founder of The Mindful Makist, an experiential wellness education program where I get to share my love for all things that fall within the intersection of mindful handwork and mental health.
By day, you can find me at Oregon Health and Science University, where I have the privilege of donning my psychologist hat. As an assistant professor of psychiatry in the Resident and Faculty Wellness Program, I get to be a therapist to some incredible individuals - medical and dental faculty, residents, and fellows. My mission there is to provide therapy that heals the heart and the mind, all while promoting holistic well-being. I believe that a healthy mind is just as crucial as a healthy body.
But it doesn't stop there! I'm also involved in developing experiential wellness offerings for the entire OHSU community. I'm a firm believer that self-expression is a powerful tool for personal growth and mental wellness, and I'm on a mission to share this with as many people as I can.
So, whether I'm in the therapist's chair or running The Mindful Makist, my goal is the same - to help others lead more balanced, happy, and fulfilling lives. Let's connect, share, and learn together on this incredible journey toward our best lives. Join me in discovering the transformative power of experiential wellness!
About Mindful Stitch
definition: engaging in hand embroidery as a mindful practice.
Mindful stitch is one of the main creative wellness practices we use for several reasons: (1) It's very accessible. If you can draw, you can stitch on fabric. There is a very low barrier to entry for this craft. (2) It is not an exact craft. You can stitch anywhere you want on the fabric. There are very few rules. (3)The repetitive and rhythmic motion involved in stitching is believed to enhance mindfulness and meditation. Engaging in sewing can lead to a state of flow as well. (4) The aesthetic beauty of hand stitched sketches leads to a sense of appreciation and even awe. (5) It is conducive to having conversations with others, maybe even allowing one to be more authentic and at ease. (6) My favorite benefit of mindful stitching is that if you mess up, you can just undo the stitch and start over. You can also engage with mistakes and try to make something of it -- which can be a practice of learning to recover from failure.
