"Cutting edge advice that really works."

-Woman's World Magazine

ABOUT DR. DARLENE MININNI

Dr. Darlene Mininni is an author, lecturer and consultant on issues related to happiness, well-being and success. Using a mix of psychology, neuroscience and behavior change strategy, she shows individuals and organizations how to thrive in life and work.

She is the author of The Emotional Toolkit and its condensed digital book 4 Tools to Boost Your Happiness and Beat Stress (St. Martins Press). She is also the creator of UCLA’s undergraduate happiness class LifeSkills, a course whose applications jumped from 30 to 700 in 18 months.

With an interest in media’s power to enhance happiness and health, Darlene founded and was artistic director of UCLA’s Kaleidoscope Theatre, a performance troupe that uses storytelling to transform lives. She also hosted The Emotional Toolkit Series on XM radio and The Dr. Darlene Mininni Show for Clear Channel in Los Angeles and was a contributor to Dr. Drew’s TV show Lifechangers.

As a speaker, Darlene’s clients have ranged from The Juilliard School to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and her advice has been featured on: CNN, PBS, FOX, NPR, SELF, COSMO, Marie Claire, Woman’s Day, Ladies Home Journal, WebMD and Prevention.

Darlene is currently a Featured Voice for Mallika Chopra’s Intentblog, a contributor to The Daily Love, and a member of the Advisory Board for Girlmentum Media. She is also an adjunct faculty member at California State University, Northridge and has a private mentoring practice for women. Darlene holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and a Masters in Public Health with an emphasis in behavioral health.

Darlene's Story

But while I was teaching behavioral health at UCLA, I noticed an unmistakable connection. Many of my students, although bright and knowledgeable, were ignoring or risking their physical health because they weren’t happy. 
 

They were stressed, worried, and overwhelmed. They were lonely and craved connection. And those unaddressed feelings impacted their well-being. I soon realized that their happiness and health were profoundly intertwined. If I wanted them to be healthier, I had to first show them how to be happier.
 

So I created a course to do just that.

LifeSkills: A Happiness Class

The goal of my undergraduate LifeSkills class was simple: teach students to understand themselves better, give them the tools to be stronger in the face of life’s challenges and show them scientifically-based strategies to boost their happiness.
 

It worked.

By the end of the first semester, 100% said their lives had improved in every way.

In anonymous focus groups students said they felt calmer and more confident. They were more satisfied with their lives. Their relationships were stronger, and they were more successful in school. Life just felt easier and better than before. And they were happier.
 

Within 18 months the number of applicants to the class jumped from 30 to 700.

Many students told me their mothers, noticing the differences in their daughters, called them to find out what they were learning in class. Some called weekly. One mother started a group using her daughter's course notes and handouts.

I realized I'd struck a nerve.

I hear it all the time. Regardless of age, we have endless responsibilities in our lives. We have pressures. We worry. And we want simple techniques to transcend the day-to-day and be happier. That’s why I bring the lessons of my UCLA class to you.
 

Media Resources

Images

Click here to download images including author headshot and book cover.
 

Audio Clips

Dr. Darlene Mininni Radio Show Recordings

For more information
 

Dr. Darlene Mininni, PhD, MPH

Office Phone:    818-342-2067 (Los Angeles)
Email               dmininni@emotionaltoolkit.com

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