“MBCT focuses on teaching participants to make a simple yet radical shift in their relationship
to the thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations that contribute to depressive relapse."
The Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy course (Segal, Williams and Teasdale) was designed for the prevention of relapse in recurrent or chronic depression, and require weekly attendance at 8 x 2 ½ hour classes.
MBCT groups have since been used for those suffering from recurrent or chronic depression, generalised anxiety and worry. When other treatments have only brought partial relief, undertaking the 8 week MBCT course can improve the capacity to better manage such conditions and prevent further relapses. In numerous studies, mindfulness-based approaches have been shown to enhance well-being, reduce depression and anxiety, and facilitate wiser responses to a range of physical and psychological health problems (Hoffman et al, 2010). South Australian research has demonstrated the value of mindfulness in depression, stress and anxiety states in our community (Kenny, 2007; Mathew et al, 2010).
The 8 week course is an intensive immersion in mindfulness so participants are asked to practice the meditations at home for at least 40 minutes daily. At the end of the 8 weeks, participants can decide on the frequency and length of their ongoing practice .
In each class, participants will have an opportunity to talk about their experiences with the home practice, the benefits they may be noticing, the obstacles that inevitably arise and ways to deal with them skilfully.
The structure of the course, the support of a teacher, and the fellowship of other participants are all invaluable in establishing and maintaining a regular mindfulness meditation practice.
MBCT groups have since been used for those suffering from recurrent or chronic depression, generalised anxiety and worry. When other treatments have only brought partial relief, undertaking the 8 week MBCT course can improve the capacity to better manage such conditions and prevent further relapses. In numerous studies, mindfulness-based approaches have been shown to enhance well-being, reduce depression and anxiety, and facilitate wiser responses to a range of physical and psychological health problems (Hoffman et al, 2010). South Australian research has demonstrated the value of mindfulness in depression, stress and anxiety states in our community (Kenny, 2007; Mathew et al, 2010).
The 8 week course is an intensive immersion in mindfulness so participants are asked to practice the meditations at home for at least 40 minutes daily. At the end of the 8 weeks, participants can decide on the frequency and length of their ongoing practice .
In each class, participants will have an opportunity to talk about their experiences with the home practice, the benefits they may be noticing, the obstacles that inevitably arise and ways to deal with them skilfully.
The structure of the course, the support of a teacher, and the fellowship of other participants are all invaluable in establishing and maintaining a regular mindfulness meditation practice.
“Don’t meditate to fix yourself, to heal yourself, to improve yourself, to redeem yourself; rather do it as an act of love, of deep warm friendship to yourself. In this way there is no longer any need for the subtle aggression of self improvement, for the endless guilt of not doing enough. It offers the possibility of an end to the ceaseless round of trying so hard that wraps so many of our lives in a knot.
Instead there is now meditation as an act of love. How endlessly delightful and encouraging.”
Bob Sharples, Meditation: Calming the Mind
Instead there is now meditation as an act of love. How endlessly delightful and encouraging.”
Bob Sharples, Meditation: Calming the Mind