Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Orientations occur one to two weeks before your first class. An orientation is required for enrollment in the 8-week course. During orientation, you will:
- Learn how MBCT offers mindfulness and cognitive tools to work with moods, thoughts and emotions in your daily life.
- Receive a full overview of the course, be able to ask questions and make an informed decision about enrolling
- Meet the instructor and your fellow participants
- Experience mindfulness meditation practices
Mindfulness starts when we recognize the tendency to be on autopilot. In this class, you learn how to step out of autopilot and become aware of each moment. The body scan exercise introduced this week serves as a foundational practice for developing mindfulness in the upcoming sessions.
Explore how automatic judgments and mental chatter can distract from being present and control our reactions to daily events. By bringing a friendly awareness to the present moment, we can identify the thoughts that limit how we respond to life’s challenges.
Learn how breathing and focus can help gather your scattered mind and how to reconnect with mindful presence.
By increasing awareness of thoughts, feelings and body sensations, you can break free from habitual reactions. One of these reactions, for example, is the human tendency to avoid discomfort.
By observing your reactions to thoughts and feelings, you can find ways to allow your experiences to happen without trying to change them. This practice can help you respond skillfully and compassionately — rather than reactively.
Learning to recognize the powerful effects of thoughts on feelings and actions, we can become aware of them and let them go. This helps us realize they are mental events, not facts. With distance and perspective, we can identify negative thought patterns that may undermine our practice. This is essential for maintaining our efforts to change how we feel.
This guided online retreat is an essential element of the MBCT experience. It typically takes place on a weekend between weeks 6 and 7. This session is a 7.5-hour practice intensive. It will help you firmly integrate MBCT skills into your daily life and apply them long after the program ends.
Examine how daily activities influence your well-being and ability to manage depression. Identify and prioritize nourishing activities that enhance a sense of presence.
In the final week of the course, explore the importance of awareness and acceptance in responding to life's challenges. Learn to recognize when to let go of trying to control things you can't change. This can help lessen feelings of helplessness, anxiety and depression.
Week 8 reinforces that grace, courage and wisdom are cultivated through mindful awareness. That is what enables you to discern what can and cannot be changed.
Is MBCT Right for You?
You may be wondering if the MBCT program is the best option for you. It is most beneficial for people who:
- Experience recurrent depression, including those seeking to support their recovery and prevent relapse
- Have been advised to remain on antidepressant medication and are looking for a complementary approach to manage their mental health
- Want to develop healthier responses to negative thoughts and feelings through mindfulness practice and cognitive approaches
If you’re currently experiencing severe depression symptoms or other challenges that could impact your ability to fully engage in MBCT, we advise you to wait until you’re feeling better to join this class. It's important to have sufficient focus and energy to truly benefit from the program’s practices and exercises.
Want to Learn More About the Benefits of Mindfulness?
MBCT and other mindfulness practices have been shown to support the well-being of people with depression and anxiety. Present-moment awareness can help you respond to difficult thoughts and emotions. This practice can also help you find balance, feel more grounded and build resilience. Discover the benefits of mindfulness.
View the Schedule
We provide various opportunities throughout the year to meet your needs. Our goal is to make it convenient to incorporate mindfulness into your busy life. Take a look at our schedule to find the right class or retreat for you. You can also find information about the instructors, when the offerings are held and how long they last. View the program schedule.
Browse Mindfulness FAQs
Want to learn more about mindfulness? Wondering about the difference between MBCT and MBSR? Our FAQ page has the answers. You can also find information about our cancellation policy, program guidelines, technical requirements and more. Get answers to your questions.