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Types of Therapy > Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive
Therapy
Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, MBCT, is a modified

form of cognitive therapy that incorporates mindfulness
practices that include present moment awareness,
meditation, and breathing exercises. This therapy was
formulated to address depression. Using these tools, the
mindfulness-based therapist teaches a client to be in the
here and now as well as break away from negative thought
patterns that can cause a decline into a mood-disordered
state; this therapy can help a person fight off a difficult frame
of mind before it takes hold.

MBCT is derived from the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn, a professor

of medicine and creator of the mindfulness-based stress
reduction technique, which is often used in meditation and
yoga practices. Psychologists Philip Barnard and John
Teasdale contributed to this work; and later, Teasdale along
with psychologists Zindel Segal and Mark Williams combined
this stress reduction strategy with cognitive behavioral
therapy.

Contents
When It's Used
What to Expect
 How It Works
What to Look for in a Mindfulness-Based Therapist AU

When It's Used

MBCT was developed for people to prevent relapse from
recurring episodes of depression or deep unhappiness. It has
been proven effective in patients with major depressive
disorder who have experienced at least three episodes of
depression. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention may also
be helpful in treating:

Generalized anxiety disorders

Bipolar disorder

General emotional distress

Addictions

MBCT has also been shown to improve symptoms of

depression in some people with physical health conditions as
well, including:

Vascular disease

Traumatic brain injury

Chronic pain

In addition, MBCT has been studied in women with

fibromyalgia, showing its effectiveness in reducing the impact
of this chronic condition.

What to Expect
MBCT is normally conducted within a group setting, and the
weekly sessions are led by a therapist. In about eight
meetings, you will learn meditation techniques as well as
basic principles of cognition, such as the relationship
between the way you think and how you feel. You will also
AU
have the opportunity to learn more about your depressive
condition. On the days when there is no session, there is
homework, which includes practicing breathing exercises and
mindful meditation. You will also be encouraged to bring this
present-moment awareness into your everyday routines,
when you prepare a meal, as you eat, while you shower, or
when you are walking.
How It Works
For a person who has recovered from a depressive state,
sometimes normal sadness is a powerful trigger for relapse
of depression. Rather than trying to avoid or eliminate
sadness or other negative emotions, one learns to change
their relationship with these emotions. Accepting sadness, for
example, can be executed by practicing meditation and other
mindfulness exercises. These activities rebalance neural
networks, allowing the client to move away from automatic
negative responses toward an understanding that there are
other ways to respond to difficult situations. In effect, you will
learn that you are not your thought patterns.

By developing a routine meditation practice, clients can use

the technique whenever they start to feel overwhelmed by
negative thoughts. When sadness occurs and starts to bring
up the usual negative associations that can trigger a relapse
of depression, the client is equipped with tools that will help
them replace their negative thinking with calmness,
compassion, and positive action. A study from the University
of Oxford showed that such mindfulness-based therapy is
just as effective as antidepressant medication.

What to Look for in a Mindfulness-Based

Therapist
Screen your potential therapist either in person or over video
or phone. During this initial introduction, ask the therapist:
 How they may help with your particular concerns
AU
If they have dealt with this type of problem before

What their process entails

The timeline for treatment

An MBCT therapist is a mental health professional who has

additional training in mindfulness-based practices and
techniques and is skilled at teaching these techniques to
others. Institutions like universities train and certify MBCT
teachers around the world. There is no formal referral service
for MBCT programs or therapists. In addition to checking
credentials, it is important to find an MBCT therapist with
whom you feel comfortable working.

References

How Do Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-

Based Stress Reduction Improve Mental Health, Clinical Psychology
Review, June 2017

Abott RA, Whear R, Rodgers LR, et al. Effectiveness of mindfulness-

based stress reduction and mindfulness based cognitive therapy in
vascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Psychosomatic Research.
May 2014;76(5):341-351.

Piet J, Hougaard E. The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive

therapy for prevention of relapse in recurrent major depressive
disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical
Psychology Review. August 2011; 31(6):1032-1040.

Ozen LJ, Gibbons C, Bedard M. Mindfulness-based cognitive

therapy improves depression symptoms after traumatic brain injury
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Innovative
Applications (2016; Springer International). 31-45. [Abstract]

UCSD Center for Mindfulness: Mindfulness-Based Professional

Training Institute

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in the

Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Randomised Trial
Last updated: 07/20/2022 AU

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