Mindfulness - 8 week course

MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION

In light of the recent research on the benefits of mindfulness, psychologists and clinicians are incorporations mindfulness into their practices at an increasing rate. In the late 1970s, professor Jon Kabat-Zinn of the University of Massachussets Medical Center founded the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program. MBSR is a form of mindfulness-based meditations and practices combined with contemporary science. It offers methods for reducing stress, helping treat de depression and anxiety, and working with physical pain. In the past 30 years, MBSR has grown into a worldwide program with thousands of teachers and programs available.

In the 1990s, an elaboration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCT), was created to help prevent relapse in people experiencing depression. Therapists mix CBT methodology with mindfulness-based practices to bring awareness to judgment, self criticism, and rumination.

Psychologists and psychotherapists have found success with mindfulness-based practices for a variety of individuals. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention is being used to help treat addiction. Mindfulness interventions have proven effective in working with post-traumatic stress disorder. And meditation awareness training can increase overall psychological well-being. As the body of research grows, so does our collective understanding of the practice and all its potential benefits. We are just beginning to scratch the surface of how mindfulness can help in clinical settings.