I was trained in the foundations of MBCT at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre.

Below is OMC's explanation of MBCT and its benefits:

 

 

LEARN MINDFULNESS

How can you learn mindfulness in ways that support your well-being? How can you build it into your busy schedule? How can you adapt what you’ve learned as your life changes? How can you keep learning and practicing?

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WHAT IS MBCT?

Mindfulness is a therapeutic technique that can help you manage and prevent feelings of depression, stress, anxiety, or discontent. It enables anyone who practices it to live a more attentive, appreciative and vibrant life. Based on a psychological science model of the mind, mainstream cognitive-behavioural and secular mindfulness practices, MBCT courses will guide you all the way from introducing mindfulness through to mindfulness becoming a part of everyday life.

For twenty years the University of Oxford has led the world in developing psychological approaches to mental health. We all know physical exercise supports physical health. There is a growing recognition that psychological therapies like cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based therapies can support our mental health.

Mindfulness is a natural capacity we all have to pay attention, without judgment to the present moment. It is rooted in ancient wisdom and practices. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combines this ancient wisdom with cognitive behavioural methods developed in modern psychological science. When ancient wisdom and modern psychology come together they are no longer a set of ideas or practices but an illumination that guides us to be more present in our lives, with ourselves and with others, with clarity, kindness and ease.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

To recognize how often our minds run on autopilot, and practice bringing mindfulness to present-moment experience.
Skills in how to pay attention.
A range of formal and informal mindfulness practices and exercises.
Keeping our balance through life’s ups and downs, responding skilfully when difficulties arise, engaging with what is most important to us, and opening up to moments of joy, contentment, and gratitude. We learn to flourish.

 

WHAT HAPPENS DURING SESSIONS?

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Sessions follow a consistent pattern. After greetings and getting settled, we begin with a guided meditation practice, followed by reflection on the experiences of the practice. Then we discuss the experiences of the home practices during the week. Each session has a theme that is woven into the discussions. We often do another short practice or a cognitive exercise and reflect on what can be learned from that. Near the end of each session, we explain the home practices for the following week.

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WHAT DOES HOME PRACTICE INVOLVE?

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Teachers will provide recordings for the main practices and ask you to practise up to an hour each day. You may need to reorganise aspects of your life to fit this in. It might be helpful to talk with family or friends about what is involved. If you find this difficult, experiment with practising at different times of the day, and remember to keep an open mind as best you can. You may notice that your experience changes from day to day or week to week. The teachers are available to discuss any difficulties you are having with home practice.

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WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

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• At first, practising meditation may feel strange or unfamiliar. As best you can, keep an open mind.

• It is not obvious at the outset which practices will be most helpful and you may not see benefits immediately. Practise gentle persistence, and remember that people respond differently.

• The amount of practice can feel daunting. However, consistent practice may increase the likelihood of benefiting from the course.

• Some people feel apprehensive about being in a group. However, learning from others and seeing that you are not alone can be very beneficial.

• You may face emotional issues that you would prefer to avoid. Difficulties that arise can be informative and the course will teach you skilful ways of responding to them.

• You may find yourself wanting to give up at times. This is common. Please speak to a teacher about any issues that are making things difficult for you.

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

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Research shows that mindfulness courses like this one have many benefits:

• Reduced feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression

• Improved ability to cope with pain and illness

• Less worrying and obsessing over things

• Greater appreciation of what is pleasant and enjoyable in life

• Feeling clearer about what is truly meaningful, and living life with a stronger sense of purpose

• Improved overall wellbeing, even in difficult times

 

We can’t guarantee all of these benefits for everyone, but our own experience and the published research tell us that changes like these are very common and make the challenges of participating worthwhile.

 

GETTING STARTED

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I run the courses in 6-week formats, class length depends on group size. Email using the form below or book a 15 minute intro call to discuss details.

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