Dr. Sibinga is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School and the Past-Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Integrative Medicine. Dr. Sibinga is a general academic pediatrician, keenly interested in improving the lives of children and families through the expansion of evidence-based complementary approaches. With funding from foundations and the United States’ National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, she has adapted and evaluated mindfulness instruction (including the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program) for urban children and youth in both clinic- and school-based settings. Dr. Sibinga’s randomized controlled trials have shown that mindfulness instruction for children and youth can reduce psychological symptoms (including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms); improve the stress response, coping, and quality of life; and enhance interpersonal and behavioral outcomes. For youth with HIV, MBSR leads to both psychological benefits and improvements in HIV medication adherence and viral suppression, important outcomes in HIV treatment. Dr. Sibinga’s current work also includes the development and evaluation of mindfulness programming for adults important to children and youth – mothers of infants in the NICU and classroom teachers.

Dr. Sibinga's Recommendations

Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting

Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

Sacred Hoops: SPIRITUAL LESSONS OF A HARDWOOD WARRIOR

Whole Health Ed - Connecting the groundbreaking work of wellness programs across K-12 campuses with the nation's health objectives for children, their families and communities, so that students leave secondary school fully prepared to live their own healthiest lives.

Video with Dr. Sibinga - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/faced-outsized-stresses-baltimore-students-learn-take-deep-breath

Vox Article with Dr. Sibinga - https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/5/22/13768406/mindfulness-meditation-good-for-kids-evidence