Addressing the enormous problem of stress
StressCare is a non-profit organization founded by David Weinberg in 1996. We offer practical tools and a proven path to greater health and well-being in our 8-Week MBSR, Mindfulness Weekend, Lifelong Practice, and Mindfulness 1-on-1 programs.
People seeking relief from stress and pain come to our classes from all over the San Francisco Bay Area, including Alameda County, Contra Costa County and San Francisco. Classes are held in Central Berkeley, Downtown Orinda, Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill.
We have helped over 2500 people recover from stress
Our work is based on Jon Kabat-Zinn’s pioneering MBSR program (mindfulness-based stress reduction) which he established at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in 1979.
MBSR has a 30-year published record of successfully addressing the enormous problem of stress-related illness, un-wellness, and the accompanying loss of hope, meaning and agency that has been so evident, and so difficult to treat, in the modern healthcare system.
StressCare is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in the San Francisco East Bay with a board of directors comprised of Bay Area health care providers. David Weinberg and Karin Pfluger are StressCare’s co-directors and lead teachers.
StressCare is a trusted provider of MBSR in the San Francisco East Bay, advancing a vision of mindfulness training as essential in healthcare and self-care since its founding in 1996.
Continuing Education Hours available for health care professionals
Our 8-Week Courses are approved for 25 CEs for RNs, MFTs, LCSWs and Licensed Psychologists. Get information on our Mindfulness in Medicine page.
We welcome you
We welcome the participation of people from all walks of life. StressCare programs are open to people of any race, class, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical ability. We are grateful for the participation and support of our alumni and the wider community of people dedicated to mindfulness as a way of being.
No one will be turned away due to low income
StressCare offers three levels of tuition based on household income, for each of our 8-Week Courses and Lifelong Practice programs. We aim to offer MBSR at reasonable cost to as many people as possible. Tuition assistance is available for individuals with very low income. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay.
Teachers
David Weinberg | Founder and President
David Weinberg, MPA, teaches StressCare 8-Week MBSR, Mindfulness Weekend, Lifelong Practice, and ACT 1-on-1 programs; and is the guiding teacher of Ocean Sangha, a Zen practice group for MBSR alumni. He leads retreats for physicians, physician-referred patients, and the general public for learning basic and advanced methods for stress reduction. David is known for his humor, insight and compassion. David’s page.
Karin Pfluger | Executive Director
Karin Pfluger, RA, SEP, teaches StressCare 8-Week MBSR, Mindfulness Weekend, Lifelong Practice, and Mindfulness 1-on-1 programs in Berkeley, Orinda and Walnut Creek. Karin leads retreats for physicians, physician-referred patients and the general public, and trains people one-on-one in learning basic and advanced methods for stress reduction. She is a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for body-based trauma healing. Karin is known for her tenacity, precision and devotion to her students. Karin’s page
John S. Edelen | Associate Teacher and Adviser
John S. Edelen, MD, (Jack Edelen), is a practicing cardiologist and former Chief of Medicine at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley. Jack practices meditation regularly and is a tireless advocate for MBSR as a vital part of total health care for everyone. He co-leads StressCare retreats and makes presentations to physician groups and others. He recommends this form of stress reduction to his patients, colleagues, and fellow caregivers.
StressCare Board of Directors
StressCare is proud to introduce our distinguished Board of Directors:
- John S. Edelen, M.D., Cardiologist, former Chief of Medicine, Alta Bates Medical Center, Berkeley, CA
- M. Beth Gong, M.D., Internist, Lifelong Medical Care, Berkeley, CA
- Burton A. Presberg, M.D. Psychiatrist in private practice for individuals with cancer and their families, Oakland, CA
- Jacqueline Richter, M.D., Geriatric Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, Walnut Creek, CA
- Alfred J. Rothman, M.D., Family Medicine, Brown & Toland Physicians, Berkeley, CA
- Laurie Yamamoto, L.C.S.W., Employee Assistance, University Health Services, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
