about jan bidwell

musician, author, meditation teacher & psychotherapist

Jan Bidwell is a musician, published author, meditation teacher, and licensed clinical social worker with more than forty years of experience helping individuals develop greater awareness, resilience, and emotional balance. Her work brings together psychotherapy, mindfulness practice, music, and creative expression to explore the many ways people can heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves.

Through decades of clinical practice, meditation study, and creative exploration, Jan has developed an integrative approach that recognizes the deep relationship between the mind, body, nervous system, and emotional wellbeing.

a career dedicated to awareness and healing

Jan has been in private practice for decades, supporting individuals as they navigate trauma, stress, life transitions, and personal growth. Her work emphasizes self-awareness, emotional understanding, and developing the inner resources needed for lasting change.

She is a Gestalt therapist with seven years of post-graduate institute training and is also trained in EMDR therapy, a widely recognized method for trauma recovery. Her therapeutic approach integrates mindfulness, nervous system awareness, and experiential psychotherapy.

Over the years, Jan has worked in a variety of settings including community programs, crisis response, and private practice, always with a focus on helping individuals understand themselves more deeply and live with greater clarity and balance.

meditation teacher and mindfulness practitioner

Meditation has been a central part of Jan’s life and work for many years. She has accumulated more than 10,000 hours of meditation training and has been teaching meditation and mindfulness practices since 1987.

Jan leads meditation groups, workshops, and retreats designed to help people develop practical tools for managing stress, cultivating presence, and building resilience in everyday life. Her teachings emphasize mindfulness as a skill that allows individuals to observe thoughts and emotions with greater awareness and respond to life’s challenges with clarity and compassion.

music, creativity, and the healing power of sound

As a musician and composer, Jan explores the role music can play in supporting mindfulness and emotional regulation. Her compositions often accompany meditation practices, creating an atmosphere of reflection, calm, and deeper listening.

Music provides another pathway for experiencing presence and connection. Through sound and rhythm, Jan invites listeners to slow down, settle the nervous system, and reconnect with their inner awareness. This creative work reflects her broader interest in how artistic expression and contemplative practice can support personal healing and transformation.

writing and publications

Jan Bidwell is also a published author whose writing explores themes of mindfulness, emotional awareness, and the process of personal growth. Drawing from decades of psychotherapy, meditation practice, and creative exploration, her work offers thoughtful insights into how individuals can cultivate resilience and clarity in their lives.

Her writing reflects a lifelong commitment to understanding the human experience and sharing practical wisdom for living with greater awareness.

education and professional training

Jan Bidwell holds a Master of Social Work from New York University and graduated magna cum laude from Michigan State University with degrees in Communication and Psychology.

Her professional training includes:

Seven years of post-graduate Gestalt therapy institute training
EMDR trauma therapy training
Advanced trauma and psychotherapy education
More than 10,000 hours of meditation training and practice

continuing the work

Throughout her career, Jan has remained committed to exploring the many ways people heal, learn, and grow. Through psychotherapy, meditation teaching, music, and writing, she continues to share tools that help individuals cultivate awareness, resilience, and deeper connection in their lives.