2-Day Certificate Course

MBSR: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Offered thru PESI

Objectives

  • Present the core beliefs of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as they relate to clinical treatment.

  • Ascertain the meaning of mindfulness and provide psychoeducation to clients regarding its use for reducing stress and improving mental health.

  • Implement various mindfulness practices utilized to decrease stress and improve symptomology.

  • Teach clients how to integrate specific informal mindfulness interventions into their daily lives to alleviate symptoms and improve level of functioning.

  • Utilize breathing exercises as an intervention to refocus attention and interrupt negative thoughts and ruminations.

  • Practice the process of inquiry and evaluate its ability to enhance client insight and reduce stress.

  • Articulate the effectiveness of MBSR techniques in treating pain, stress, anxiety and panic in clients.

  • Evaluate the use of interpersonal mindfulness in facilitating effective communication and increasing awareness in the client.

  • Appraise the applicability of neuroscience research to stress reduction and ascertain its clinical implications.

  • Determine specific adaptations of MBSR practices that can be utilized to treat symptoms of anxiety, depression, addiction and trauma.

  • Establish MBSR practices that are developmentally appropriate and effective for children and adolescents.

  • Articulate the methods by which MBSR can be interfaced with psychotherapy practices to improve clinical outcomes.

 
 
 

OUTLINE

  • Foundational Principles

    • The Origin of MBSR

    • Goals and Principles

    • Populations Served

    • Assessment and Orientation

    • MBSR Ground Rules

    • Teacher competencies

  • The Curriculum - Themes

    • Class 1-3 Grounding Mindfulness in the Body

    • Class 4-5 Stress Reaction versus Response

    • Class 6-7 Communication and Interpersonal Mindfulness

    • Class 8 Summation and Bringing Mindfulness Home

    • All Day Session

  • Establishing Mindfulness Practices

    • Defining Mindfulness

    • Introducing Mindfulness Experientially and Verbally

    • 7 Essential Attitudes in Establishing Mindfulness

  • Establishing Intention and Commitment to Practice

    • Language – Using Gerunds and the Vernacular

    • Leading an Awareness Exercise: The Raisin

  • Guidance in Formal Mindfulness Practices

    • The Body Scan

    • The Sitting Meditation with Awareness of Breath

    • Yoga

    • Walking Meditation

    • Loving-Kindness Meditation

    • Practice in Leading a Mindfulness Meditation

  • Applying Mindfulness to Daily Life

    • Creating Home Practices

    • Use of Homework

    • The S.T.O.P.

    • The Three Minute Breathing Space

    • Awareness Exercises

  • Clinical Issues: Working with Difficulties

    • The Process of Inquiry including Role Playing and Practice in Inquiry

    • Working with Feeling

    • Working with Pain and Stress

    • Working with Anxiety and Panic

    • Application of Neuro-Science Research

  • Adaptations of MBSR for:

    • Depression

    • Addictions

    • Children and Adolescents

  • Inter-personal Mindfulness and Communication

    • Akido for MBSR

    • Use of Dyads

    • Group Process

    • Interface with Psychotherapy

  • Limitations of Research and Potential Risks

    • Various definitions of mindfulness

    • Research validity and reliability

    • Client may experience initial increase in symptoms

    • Special considerations for severe mental illness