LaTonya Waddell
DOM, LAc
Presenter's Bio:
LaTonya Waddell, DOM, LAc, is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, licensed Acupuncturist, and Addiction Detox Specialist with expertise in Chinese Herbal Medicine and pain management. She earned both her Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Acupuncture from Maryland University of Integrative Health, completing over 3,000 hours of comprehensive didactic and clinical training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Five Element Acupuncture Theory. Prior to her transition into healthcare, she spent more than two decades in accounting and information systems management, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Information Systems Management. Her personal journey with chronic low back pain—and the transformative relief she experienced through acupuncture—inspired her to pursue a career focused on integrative healing. LaTonya is dedicated to advancing Chinese Medicine as a crucial complement to modern healthcare, with particular emphasis on the mind-body connection essential to overall well-being. In her clinical practice, she emphasizes restoring balance, fostering resilience, and supporting patients’ physical, emotional, and energetic alignment, working closely with psychotherapists and mental health professionals seeking holistic approaches to client care and healing.
The Art of Being: Mindfulness and Metta for Therapeutic Renewal
Course Summary:
Participants will experience a blend of Vipassana (Mindfulness) and Metta (Loving-Kindness) meditation—two foundational practices that complement each other beautifully, especially for therapists.
Vipassana, or insight meditation, emphasizes observing thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations with open, nonjudgmental awareness. It strengthens our ability to remain present, grounded, and attuned both to ourselves and our clients, even amid discomfort or complexity.
Metta meditation builds on this foundation by cultivating compassion and goodwill—first toward ourselves, and then extending outward to others. This practice fosters emotional resilience, helping therapists maintain empathy without becoming overwhelmed or depleted.
Together, these practices support the development of deeper clinical presence, enhance emotional regulation, and encourage a spirit of kindness that sustains both personal well-being and therapeutic connection.
