This workshop will allow participants to explore the use of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in their professional practice.

Mindfulness has become an increasingly popular method of increasing self-awareness and gaining more control over a modern tendency for mental busyness and negative thinking.  Cognitive Therapy (CT) is similar to mindfulness in that the goal of treatment is an increase in awareness of maladaptive thinking that leads to changes in the thought process, which in turn results in behavioural change.  The principle difference between mindfulness and CT is that the former focuses on ‘being with distress,’ with an attitude of acceptance, while CT is more active in attempting to change the causes of distress. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy combines the above modalities by using mindfulness to encourage the client to sit with unpleasant thoughts and feelings while using cognitive techniques to address those difficulties.

Who is this course for?  

This is a CPD workshop specifically designed for Counsellors & Psychotherapists or other helping professionals with therapeutic experience and students currently in professional training. BSc Counselling & Psychotherapy students in Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 of their studies are all invited to apply for this CPD workshop. No previous experience of mindfulness or CBT is required but any existing knowledge/experience can inform your learning. This training can help you in your work with others and also as an approach to your own self-care.

What are the benefits of doing this course? 

Both mindfulness and cognitive therapy are evidence-based approaches to improving your self-care and working therapeutically with others. They work well together and are easily adapted to fit with your existing way of working, or to help you to develop in a new direction. You will benefit yourself on the day by engaging in a range of mindfulness exercises and learning about the power of our thoughts to influence our feelings and behaviours. You will learn about a range of exercises which you can immediately bring to your client work.

What will you learn?  

You will receive an overview of both areas of mindfulness and Cognitive Therapy, looking at their development, key principles and theories. However, this is an experiential day so you will also engage in various ways with the approaches individually, in small and large groups. Key areas addressed will include as breathing and body scan exercises, as well as exploring the thought cycle and cognitive distortions. We will then look at integrating these aspects into the working model of MBCT, particularly around how to extend the days learning into self-care practices and to apply to your own client work.