Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Have you felt anxious or depressed? You are not alone. Depression and anxiety are rampant in our day and age. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that depression and anxiety will be the world’s number one health issue in the future. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is an evidence-based program that builds resilience and prevents relapse of depressive episodes as a proven alternative to medication. It also reduces acute depression, anxiety and stress. In this course, we will turn to habitual thought patterns that keep us stuck and spiralling, and we will build our capacity to respond to life’s challenges in more helpful and attentive ways.

Participants will learn to:

Attend to patterns of thought, emotions, behavior
Raise awareness of and reduce identification with negative states
Build skills to prevent relapse using mindfulness meditation techniques
Learn to respond rather than react, using the element of choice

Who should participate:

If you are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression or if have a history of anxiety or depression. All participants must be free of substance abuse and remain on any prescribed medications during the course. A commitment to attendance of 80% of the full series and home practice activities is required. Session 4 is mandatory. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend a daylong silent retreat but it is an optional part of the program.

This is a video of Zindel Segal, one of the founders of the program, speaking about MBCT: https://youtu.be/kFfqSk15fNM

Research has demonstrated MBCT is as effective as antidepressants in the prevention of depressive relapse or recurrence. (Kuyken, 2008, http://mbct.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/kuyken-jccp-2008.pdf)

At the completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Articulate the key aspects of mindfulness as it relates to coping with negative moods and preventing relapse of depression and anxiety.
Differentiate MBCT from and other CBT techniques that may seem similar but are quite different in contending with negative mood states.
Practice the key aspects of mindfulness to manage symptoms and to prevent relapse of depression and anxiety.
Apply mindfulness and cognitive therapy techniques when managing difficult situations and emotions in both personal and professional settings.
Communicate the potential benefits mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (and mindfulness) to family and friends (note : This course does not train facilitators, it is for participants wishing to learn the tools and techniques of MBCT for themselves).
Continue to deepen personal practice of mindfulness.

8-week MBCT Course Fee

The course includes the handouts, guided meditations and instruction and is offered for $495 ($395 if you pay in full 30 days in advance for the course).

UC SAN DIEGO EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT

UC San Diego Employees may take the course for $445 (or $345 if you pay in full 30 days prior to the start of class).

UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT

We have partnered with the UC San Diego Health Employee Wellness Program. UCSD Health Employees are eligible for a yearly subsidy of up to $210 for any of our programs. Learn more here!

Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus your $50 non-refundable and non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations in writing via email to mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu prior to the 2nd class will. There will be no refund after the 2nd class.

In the unlikely event that the course is canceled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee and not for transportation, hotel accommodations or any miscellaneous expenses.