Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

We run courses of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for people aged over 18 years, who have experienced repeated episodes of depression or are stressed by parenting or caring for someone with mental ill health or a learning disability.

Do you suffer with repeated episodes of depression?

Are you stressed by caring for, or parenting, someone with mental ill health?

Many of us spend a lot of time brooding about the past, worrying about the future, and being hard on ourselves. These habits of mind are difficult to control and often leave us feeling stressed and low.

Mindfulness can help….

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a particular way of paying attention to the present moment. When we’re tuned in to the present moment, the mind is less likely to get caught up in unhelpful patterns of thinking and feeling.

Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our thoughts and emotions and relate to them in a different way. We learn skills that can help us to:

• become more focussed and steady
• feel less overwhelmed
• respond more wisely to difficulties and stress. 

Mindfulness can also help us learn to be kinder to ourselves and more accepting of how things are. 

‘Staying present’ is easy to describe but difficult to do – especially when we’re feeling stressed, or miserable.  With patience and practice we can all learn to be more mindful more often.

How can we learn to be more mindful?

We run courses of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for people aged over 18 years, who:

• have experienced repeated episodes of depression
• or are stressed by parenting or caring for someone with mental ill health or a learning disability.

What is a mindfulness course like?

The course includes eight sessions lasting just over two hours and one day-long session that lasts six hours. Sessions normally take place over consecutive weeks.

In the sessions you will learn and practice some fairly simple meditations, for example focusing attention on your breathing for periods of time. The teacher will be a qualified mental health professional who is also experienced in teaching mindfulness.

The course takes a lot of time and effort and involves practising the meditations at home on a daily basis. It is important to attend every session and to complete all of the home practice.

What is the evidence?

MBCT has been thoroughly researched and is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for people who suffer from recurrent depression.  There is also good evidence that learning mindfulness can be helpful for people who are stressed.

How do I take part in a course?

The first step is to come along to a taster session where you will hear more about mindfulness and the MBCT course.  You will also try out some brief guided meditations.

After you’ve been to a taster session you may choose to apply for the MBCT course by filling in a simple application form. This will be followed by a telephone call and a discussion about whether this is the right approach for you at this time in your life.

Click here to find out when and where are the next taster sessions and courses are.