Groups and Workshops
Mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy are very well established and researched programs used in the UK and worldwide. You can sign up for one of my courses online or discuss it with me during a short initial call which is free of charge. You can read a detailed description of the courses below.
The use of Mindfulness in modern medicine was made popular by Jon Kabat-Zinn in Boston in the 1980’s. He pioneered the use of meditation with patients experiencing chronic pain at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre through his Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programme (MBSR). The programme has since helped many thousands of people live with illness, stress, pain and difficulty.
Clinical psychologists and researchers have more recently have adapted the MBSR programme to include elements of cognitive behaviour therapy, a treatment which explores how we think and behave can effect how we feel. This Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programme has shown itself as an impressive relapse prevention tool for those who have suffered recurrent depression as well as anxiety problems and a range of long term conditions.
We will meet for eight weeks with each session lasting 2 hrs. The usefulness of the course will depend entirely on your willingness and ability to practice each day, for eight weeks for up to an hour each day. As you begin the course, you should think seriously about when you likely going to be able to find the time to do this. If you are not able to complete home practice, there is little point in you completing the course. We realise this can be challenging, however, we encourage you to begin this course with an open mind, and a willingness to ‘give it a go’ over the next eight weeks. Parts of each session will provide opportunities for you to discuss your experiences of home practice throughout the week and many people find rich learning can arising from sharing and listening to others in this way.
The course is about practicing being fully present in all aspects of day to day life. This can often enhance positive experiences, making them more vivid and enjoyable. Being fully present also entails facing towards what is difficult. This can be challenging, however in the longer term is the most effective way to reduce stress and unhappiness. You will be learning gentle ways of doing this in the course and will be supported to do this.
Please remember that you may not see the benefits of mindfulness practice straight away. It is a little like planting a seed and committing to water it every day. It’s only over time you will be able to see the seed change and grow. You are encouraged to approach the next eight weeks and beyond with the same sense of patience and persistence.