Many mental health conditions wax and wane throughout life as a function of stress and negative emotions. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and interventions (MBIs) grounded in both have been shown to reduce risk of relapse by integrating scientific knowledge about how mind and body interact with ancient wisdom traditions.

To teach MBIs competently, a personal practice that supports mindful relating is essential. This supports both professional and client in developing a compassionate relationship with difficult inner experiences that arise in the face of difficulties. Experiential participation in MBCT is the first step of training for mental health professionals wishing to integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tools with ancient wisdom practices to reduce suffering transdiagnostically.

Decades of scientific inquiry reveal that MBCT, and its adaptations, reduce the risk of relapse in chronic mental health conditions when extreme levels of negative emotions are present. MBCT is a trans-therapeutic intervention of benefit to those with a range of emotional disorders including, but not limited to, unipolar and bipolar depression, PTSD, OCD, GAD, other anxiety, substance misuse, interpersonal difficulties, and related conditions.

The path for ethically teaching MBCT to those with emotional disorders includes, but is not limited to, participation in the traditional MBCT program in the role of participant-practitioner with qualified and experienced clinician-teachers. As well, peer consultation in community is essential for ongoing development as an MBI clinician and teacher.

This retreat offers professionals a foundational training, lifelong practices to support ongoing MBI teacher development, and ongoing access to a community of peers teaching MBCT and its adaptations. On the first two days of this retreat, immerse yourself in the MBCT curriculum in the role of a student. Then, practice in small groups, receiving feedback grounded in Relational Mindfulness Practice that can also be used for mindful case consultation about challenges in implementing MBIs.

Please note: This workshop is for licensed mental healthcare professionals and those in training. Continuing Education (CE) is offered for no additional cost, including 3 ethics credits, and co-sponsored by PBTA and META Center. This training meets criteria as a foundational training for the MBCT Teacher Training pathway described at www.mbct.com

Training begins Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

Recommended Reading:

• The Mindful Way Workbook: An 8-Week Program to Free Yourself from Depression and Emotional Distress
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, 2nd Edition
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions - Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI-TAC)
• Baer, R., Crane, C., Miller, E., & Kuyken, W. (2019). "Doing no harm in mindfulness-based programs: conceptual issues and empirical findings." Clinical psychology review, 71, 101-114.
• Crane, R. S., Eames, C., Kuyken, W., Hastings, R. P., Williams, J. M. G., Bartley, T., & Surawy, C. (2013). Development and validation of the mindfulness-based interventions–teaching assessment criteria (MBI: TAC). Assessment, 20(6), 681-688.
• Dimidjian, S., & Segal, Z. V. (2015). Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist, 70(7), 593.

For a full list of CE objectives and the training pathway for developing competence as an MBCT teacher visit:

• philabta.org/event-5455704
• mbct.com/mbct-training-pathway

Or read this article by MBCT co-developer Dr. Segal at philabta.org about Home - Access MBCT

Two full tuition scholarships are available for for practitioners who serve military families (including vets). To apply for a full tuition scholarship (not including room, board, & travel) please email 200 words about how you serve military families + your resume to PBTAcontinuingeducation@gmail.com.