Mindfulness-Based Approaches

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was developed by Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn and first used in 1979. It was originally intended for chronically ill patients for whom there was little more that the medical establishment could do to help. Because mindfulness invites us to alter the relationship we have to pain and other life challenges, Kabat-Zinn could see the potential of the hospital setting in training people in meditative awareness.

Since then the work of Kabat-Zinn and colleagues has gained the respect of conventional medical practitioners across the globe, programmes modelled on MBSR are now being offered in hospitals and clinics, workplaces, schools, universities and centres for both patients and non-patients alike.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was originally developed to decrease the likelihood of depressive relapse for recurrently-depressed patients. Encouraged by the success of MBSR, three cognitive therapists – Prof John Teasdale, Prof Mark Williams, and Prof Zindel Segal – who were looking for a maintenance version of cognitive therapy to deal with the high level of depressive relapse after successful psychotherapy, conducted a large randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of MBCT vs Treatment as Usual. The results, which have subsequently been repeated, demonstrated the efficacy of MBCT in protecting individuals with history of three or more episodes of depression, from future episodes. The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2004) has named MBCT as the treatment of choice for this group of patients.

There is now a considerable body of research which indicate that mindfulness-based approaches are efficacious with a range of physical and psychological challenges, psoriasis, diabetes, pain, alcohol misuse and relationship difficulties.

Like many “eight-week courses” now offered, The Eight-week Mindfulness Course is essentially an MBSR program which has been informed by cognitive science. Mindfulness-based Approaches also include Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) for those recovered from substance misuse, Mindfulness-based Relationship Enhancement (MBRE) and Breathworks for those with chronic pain and illness. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is also strongly informed by mindfulness, although its focus is less on mindfulness meditation practice and more on day-to-day awareness practices.

Further information can be found at:

The Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice (Bangor University): www.bangor.ac.uk/mindfulness

Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society - originally the Stress Reduction Clinic (Massachusetts Medical Centre): www.umassmed.edu/cfm

Oxford Mindfulness Centre (Oxford University): www.mbct.co.uk

Mood Disorders Centre (University of Exeter): www.centres.ex.ac.uk/mood


home mindfulness applications individuals organisations about us resources faq contact The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes Marcel Proust	Mindfulness-Based Approaches Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was developed by Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn and first used in 1979. It was originally intended for chronically ill patients for whom there was little more that the medical establishment could do to help. Because mindfulness invites us to alter the relationship we have to pain and other life challenges, Kabat-Zinn could see the potential of the hospital setting in training people in meditative awareness. Since then the work of Kabat-Zinn and colleagues has gained the respect of conventional medical practitioners across the globe, programmes modelled on MBSR are now being offered in hospitals and clinics, workplaces, schools, universities and centres for both patients and non-patients alike. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was originally developed to decrease the likelihood of depressive relapse for recurrently-depressed patients. Encouraged by the success of MBSR, three cognitive therapists – Prof John Teasdale, Prof Mark Williams, and Prof Zindel Segal – who were looking for a maintenance version of cognitive therapy to deal with the high level of depressive relapse after successful psychotherapy, conducted a large randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of MBCT vs Treatment as Usual. The results, which have subsequently been repeated, demonstrated the efficacy of MBCT in protecting individuals with history of three or more episodes of depression, from future episodes. The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2004) has named MBCT as the treatment of choice for this group of patients. There is now a considerable body of research which indicate that mindfulness-based approaches are efficacious with a range of physical and psychological challenges, psoriasis, diabetes, pain, alcohol misuse and relationship difficulties. Like many “eight-week courses” now offered, The Eight-week Mindfulness Course is essentially an MBSR program which has been informed by cognitive science. Mindfulness-based Approaches also include Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) for those recovered from substance misuse, Mindfulness-based Relationship Enhancement (MBRE) and Breathworks for those with chronic pain and illness. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is also strongly informed by mindfulness, although its focus is less on mindfulness meditation practice and more on day-to-day awareness practices. Further information can be found at: The Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice (Bangor University): www.bangor.ac.uk/mindfulness Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society - originally the Stress Reduction Clinic (Massachusetts Medical Centre): www.umassmed.edu/cfm Oxford Mindfulness Centre (Oxford University): www.mbct.co.uk Mood Disorders Centre (University of Exeter): www.centres.ex.ac.uk/mood
Website design: GreyDog