Introduction to MBCT

Mindfulness in a nutshell

About MBCT program

Mindfulness has been scientifically proved to be beneficial in alleviating depression, stress and other mental challenges, improving well-being and enhancing creativity. It is originally from Buddhism but has been developed in secular terms to be more accessible to the general audience, without any religious background.

MBCT program has been developed in Oxford University by Psychologists Zindel Segal, Mark Williams and John Teasdale after research, collaboration and adaptation of the program developed by John Kabat Zin in Massachusetts where he was using his Buddhist background to implement a physiotherapy (non spiritual or religious) program to ease pain management in patients suffering from a diverse range of conditions. (for more info, please see MBSR program Mindfulness Based Therapy for Stress Reduction)

The main aim of the MBCT program is to help participants avoid relapses of past depression episodes by making them aware of their thinking and behavioral patterns. The course also provides a basic framework and toolkit to respond to those patterns in a more constructive way. There are several clinical trials studies being conducted and some results look promising (more info can be found here)

The program has also been rolled out in the UK by the public health care system. for a different and massive population target (i.e. Mindfulness in schools and mindfulness for work, for general well being etc.). At the same time, a substantial number of therapists and coaches are also delivering similar programs adapted to specific settings.

Now, in our course we will also ensure participants are safe during the program as this MBCT course won’t happen in a clinical setting. In order to guarantee that, an pre-assessment interview will be scheduled with each participant at the beginning of the course and monitoring and individual support will be offered. (I will create and send the evaluation forms next week)

The program is experienced-based and in a secular setting. It doesn’t contain any Buddhist or religious background and besides mindfulness, it incorporates elements of the CBT (Cognitive Based Therapy) the CBT part is present in a pure experiential manner as well.

The MBCT course is designed to run once a week over 8 weeks for a 1.5 hour each session. The participants will take audio guides to meditate at home for the rest of the week days and a commitment of approx. 45m daily for home practice is expected.