What is MBCT and Who is It For?

Mindfulness has been coming into the world of therapy more and more – and it’s easy to see why. There are dozens of research articles demonstrating the link between mindfulness and reduced anxiety, depression, and physical pain. In addition, mindfulness has been found to help individuals cope with difficult emotions, ranging from everyday stress to PTSD.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an approach to therapy that effectively puts together these two important areas: the practice of mindfulness paired with cognitive therapy.

MBCT  is most beneficial for adults experiencing depression, anxiety, high stress, or anyone who wants to work through negative thoughts or judgment. It can also be helpful for those who want to reduce the chance of experiencing a depressive relapse.

What MBCT Is (and Isn’t)

MBCT is not about pushing feelings away or even embracing them. Rather, it is about allowing your feelings to run their natural course while not consuming you. In this process, you notice where your thoughts take you and then bring your attention back to the present.

This concept is called decentering, and it is where you allow your thoughts, feelings, and impulses to act as events passing through      your mind and body, rather than identifying with them.

The goal of MBCT and our MBCT course at Mindful Kids Miami is to help participants learn how to step outside their own mental events and become better able to take a non-judgmental stance toward themselves.

MBCT courses can only be taught by someone with someone with therapeutic training. A licensed therapist is able to ensure that participants are supported and cared for when things get difficult.

Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) may include:

• Improved focus and attention
• Reduced  risk of depression relapse
• Strengthened emotional resilience
• Increased ability to self-regulate emotions
• Increased sense of well-being
• Enhanced awareness, clarity and acceptance in everyday living

We invite you to try our MBCT course if you struggle with depression, anxiety, stress, or are interested in learning a new way to deal with unwanted thoughts and feelings in an intentional and skillful manner.

What to Expect from Our Course:

• Learn practices of acceptance/non-aversion, non-attachment, and kindly awareness as a new way of relating to phenomenon as they arise.
• Learn the practice of ‘Letting Go,’  a skill helpful in preventing oneself from getting into and stepping out of unhelpful cycles.
• Become aware of your own unique warning signs of impending depression and anxiety, and develop specific action plans for when this might occur.

Mindfulness is not an overnight process. It takes time, patience with yourself, self-compassion, and practice. We’re here to meet you where you are.