Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
MBCT was developed by psychologists Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale. It builds on Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, which emphasizes mindfulness meditation to manage stress. The core idea behind MBCT is to teach individuals a new way of relating to their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This approach helps break the cycle of automatic, negative thought patterns that often contribute to depression and anxiety.
Structure and Commitment
The MBCT program typically spans eight weeks, with weekly sessions lasting about two hours each. Participants are also expected to engage in daily home practice for about an hour. This commitment is crucial as it helps reinforce the skills learned during the sessions and integrates mindfulness into daily life
Effectiveness and Benefits
Clinical research has shown that MBCT is as effective as antidepressants in preventing the relapse of depression. One of the key advantages of MBCT is that it empowers individuals to harness their own innate ability to heal. By fostering a mindful awareness of the present moment, participants learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, reducing the likelihood of being overwhelmed by them.
Research and Applications
MBCT has been extensively researched and is widely used in clinical settings. It has proven effective not only for depression but also for a range of other conditions, including anxiety, stress, and chronic pain. The program’s success lies in its ability to teach participants to respond to their experiences with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Overall, MBCT offers a powerful tool for managing mental health by combining the strengths of cognitive-behavioral therapy with the transformative potential of mindfulness.
This class is appropriate for:
***Individuals who do not currently qualify as clinically depressed but have suffered from multiple series of depressive episodes
***Individuals who are currently undergoing therapy for depression and wish to learn skills that have shown to be useful in preventing relapses
***Individuals who have not achieved satisfactory results with other treatments
Taught by a psychotherapist qualified to teach mindfulness classes through one of the major mindfulness training centers in the country, the University of California at San Diego Center for Mindfulness.