Postgraduate training in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapies In collaboration with Gaia House a Centre for meditation and enquiry
Introduction This prospectus describes the Exeter Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapies (MBCT) training. Our aim is to provide students with the opportunities to develop a grounded understanding of MBCT and the competencies required to instruct MBCT classes. We do this through offering a series of modules that develop: Experiential understanding of mindfulness, Theoretical and research knowledge about MBCT, Understanding of Buddhist Psychology and The requisite values and competencies needed to begin to teach MBCT. Our programme is a part-time modular course over one year (Certificate) or two years (Diploma). Students will be required to attend the University 1 day a week during term time and to participate in retreats offered by Gaia House. The programme has several strengths: The opportunity for a range of learning experiences: o participate in an MBCT group; o observe and reflect on a range of established mindfulness practitioners (live and on video tape); o rehearse new skills with peers and o instruct MBCT groups under supervision In depth focus on the theory and research underpinning MBCT, including access to the work carried out in the Mood Disorders Centre (see www.centres.ex.ac.uk/mood) Exploration of the lineage of mindfulness in Buddhist Psychology with the input of experienced Buddhist teachers Through collaborative links with teachers from Gaia House (www.gaiahouse.co.uk), participation in retreats oriented towards MBCT teachers Goal for the Programme Our intention is to offer a training programme that develops students grounded understanding of MBCT and the competencies required to instruct MBCT classes. The aim would be that students undertaking the full 2-year training will develop competence in established evidence-based applications of MBCT (especially for the prevention of relapse in recurrent major depression) and would also be able to contribute to the developing field of the application and evaluation of MBCT for other client groups in physical and mental health-care settings. Page 2 of 7
What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way.... - on purpose - in the present moment - non-judgementally Jon Kabat-Zinn This sounds straightforward, but this way of relating to experience is in fact radically different from the way that most people normally live. John Teasdale therefore offers a fuller definition: The essence of mindfulness is to be fully aware of our experience in each moment, equally open to whatever it has to offer and free of the domination of habitual, automatic, cognitive routines that are often goal-oriented and, in one form or another, related to wanting things to be other than they are. This mode of awareness takes considerable practice for both teachers and clients of MBCT. The qualities of mindfulness include: intentionality; paying close attention to one s experience, with both focussed attention and broader awareness applied to the body, feelings and mental phenomena, an accepting, inclusive, curious, open, compassionate stance towards every aspect of experience and making choices responsively. Teaching mindfulness as a way of helping people transform suffering and experience happiness has a lineage extending over 2500 years. In the 1970 s Jon Kabat-Zinn took the radical step of distilling some of the healing aspects of mindfulness into a programme called Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction. Since then tens of thousands of people with chronic health problems have been helped by participating in mindfulness-based programmes. Numerous studies attest to the efficacy and effectiveness of mindfulness-based approaches in relieving distress and enhancing well-being. Depression causes untold human suffering and disability, frequently running a recurrent and chronic course. How can we help people with recurrent depression step out of a cycle of recurrent depression? Zindel Segal, Mark Williams and John Teasdale responded to this challenge by building on the long lineage of mindfulness approaches and the empirically supported tenets of cognitive therapy to develop Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT is an eight week group programme in which participants learn mindfulness practices and cognitivebehavioural skills to help them to learn to respond more skilfully at times of potential relapse. Instead of each time ignoring the impending sounds of Niagara Falls and repeatedly being sucked into the rapids, participants learn to recognise the sounds, smells and sights that indicate the Falls are several miles down river. With this awareness they open up the choice to respond mindfully with acceptance and/or wise action. Several randomised controlled trials suggest MBCT is helpful in preventing depressive relapse and recurrence. The National Institutes of Clinical Page 3 of 7
Excellence now recommends MBCT as a relapse prevention approach for recurrent depression. What is learned in MBCT has the potential to transform suffering across a range of different areas of mental health. There are good grounds to suppose it is helpful with anxiety disorders and chronic fatigue disorder. A groundswell of clinical and research interest is applying MBCT to other areas. A variety of allied approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy incorporate mindfulness to work with personality disorders, substance abuse and eating disorders. Why offer an MBCT Programme? Zindel Segal (2002, p.65-66) and his co-authors write that, The MBCT instructor s own basic understanding and orientation will be one of the most powerful influences affecting this process [helping individuals make a radical shift]. Whether the instructor realises it or not, this understanding colours the way each practice is presented, each interaction handled. Teaching MBCT requires a grounding of personal mindfulness practice, teaching skills, the ability to work with the difficult, group process skills, interpersonal skills, ethical integrity and organisational skills (Crane, R. 2007. Domains of competency in MBCT. Bangor Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice). Our experience in Exeter is that teaching MBCT classes is enormously rewarding but requires a particular training that cultivates this basic understanding and orientation while also learning the skills and values that are needed to teach MBCT. The programme aims to cultivate these values and skills. Why Exeter and the South West? 1. The Mood Disorders Centre is a partnership between the NHS and the University of Exeter. It provides a centre for research, assessment, treatment, and training that aims to benefit people who suffer from mood disorders. It has been offering MBCT as part of its clinical services since 2002. We have received the generous training, supervision and support of the developers of MBCT as well as teachers at the Bangor Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice. As well as our clinical and training endeavours we have also been involved in researching MBCT. A Medical Research Council funded randomised controlled trial completed recently in Exeter found that MBCT is comparable to anti-depressants in helping people with recurrent depression stay well. Our research has the added value of cultivating a network of teachers and supporting the development of MBCT services. The Centre has also recently added faculty with expertise in dialectical behaviour therapy, a mindfulness-based therapy for borderline personality disorder. Page 4 of 7
2. The programme is offered in collaboration with teachers from Gaia House, Gaia House was founded in 1984 and is the only non-affiliated retreat centre in Britain which offers guidance in different meditative disciplines from the Buddhist traditions. Our retreats are designed for both experienced meditators and beginners, of any faith or none, who seek to cultivate a path of wisdom and compassion. All retreats (with the exception of the Family and Friends retreat) are held in silence and explore the essential themes of calm attentiveness, equanimity, insight, peace and freedom.this wealth of teaching experience will be available to students on the course. Gaia House will offer retreats oriented towards MBCT teachers intended to cultivate students personal mindfulness practice. 3. Finally, the South West of England has one of the largest networks of MBCT practitioners and Buddhist teachers in the country, and many within this network are committed to developing and disseminating MBCT. Who is the programme for? Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University and of the School of Psychology. For candidates wishing to undertake only the Certificate in MBCT the entry criteria are: i. A first degree in Psychology or related topic at similar level ii. Requisite personal and interpersonal qualities Candidates wishing to undertake the Diploma in MBCT need to have completed the Certificate. Additional entry criteria for the Diploma are: i. A health / mental health professional qualification (at degree level or equivalent); and/or UKCP or BAC accredited counsellors/psychotherapists; and/or complementary health practitioners with appropriate certification requisite for practice as a health care practitioner ii. At least 2 years of post-qualification health / mental health experience iii. iv. Some relevant experience as a group facilitator A personal mindfulness practice including experience of participation in teacher-led mindfulness meditation retreats v. Requisite personal and interpersonal qualities vi. Basic CBT knowledge and skills. Ideally we would like students who are established psychological therapists working in health care settings and who are committed to developing as MBCT teachers and/or clinical researchers. Page 5 of 7
What Does the Programme Involve? The first Certificate level year is a foundation year that offers a grounded and experiential understanding of MBCT. Year 1 aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of mindfulness based on both personal practice and knowledge of theory and research. It establishes the students personal practice and knowledge. It covers several topics: Cultivating personal mindfulness practice through regular practice, participation in the 8-week MBCT course and a 4-day silent mindfulness retreat; Learning about theory and research relevant to MBCT; Learning about the Buddhist Psychology that underpins MBCT and; Integrating personal mindfulness practice, theoretical knowledge about MBCT and Buddhist Psychology in considering the applications of mindfulness At the end of the first year students are not yet ready to teach MBCT to clients. The second Diploma level year lays the groundwork for students readiness to teach MBCT classes for clients. Year 2 begins with a series of workshops where students are taken through each of the 8 weeks of the course, watching experienced MBCT teachers on videotape, rehearsing skills on peers and preparing the materials to run an MBCT course. A 7-day silent retreat further develops personal mindfulness practice. Year 2 also includes a supervised MBCT placement in which students have the opportunity to take part in and lead the 8-week course. The two years include access to a range of learning methods: personal practice and study (guided reading), lectures, workshops, supervised clinical practice, and retreats. Formative and summative assessment will include a mixture of reflective diaries, essays, reports of teaching MBCT classes and direct observation of teaching MBCT classes. Who is Involved in Offering the Program? At the University of Exeter: Alison Evans and Willem Kuyken Gaia House Teachers: Christina Feldman and John Teasdale In health services: Claire Brejcha Ros Durston Desiree Hansson Lynne Holmes Stefan Karpik Melinda Waugh Jenny Wilks Page 6 of 7
What Will the Programme Cost? The course fee will be 4,250 per year (for the Certificate / Diploma). Please note that the two required Gaia House retreats are not included in this fee. These will be offered by Gaia House using their schedule of fees. How Can I Find Out More / Apply? Our next intake will be in October 2010 with an intake of at least 14 students who are committed to undertaking years 1 and 2 of the training. There will be a limited number of additional places for people wishing to undertake year 1 only in the first instance. Prospective applicants are encouraged to read: Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse. New York: Guilford Press. Williams, J. M. G., Teasdale, J. D., Segal, Z. V., & Kabat-Zinn, J. (2007). The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness. New York: Guildford Press. Crane Rebecca (2009). Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (The CBT Distinctive Features Series). Routledge. Provisional places on the programme are available on a rolling basis, starting to consider applications in the academic year 2009-2010; that is to say applicants will be considered as they apply from January 2010. The final closing date will be at the end March 2010. Final decisions will be made in April 2010. You can find out more about the programme or apply by contacting: Miss Pam Willox Programme Administrator School of Psychology University of Exeter Washington Singer Laboratories Perry Road, Exeter, EX4 4QG Tel: 01392 725755 E-mail: p.willox@exeter.ac.uk This document forms part of the University's Postgraduate Prospectus. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in the Prospectus is correct at the time of going to press. However, the University cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information contained within the Prospectus and reserves the right to make variations to the services offered where such action is considered to be necessary by the University. For further information, please refer to the Postgraduate Prospectus (available at www.exeter.ac.uk/pgp/disclaimer/). Page 7 of 7