Mindfulness FAQs

I like to run orientation sessions for all prospective course participants. There is no substitute for meeting face to face and having a chat about what a mindfulness course entails. That way I can manage your expectations and explain a little bit about how mindfulness can work for you. What’s more you get a chance to meet me, ask any questions you may have and get a feel for the environment in which the course takes place.

From there it is possible to make an informed decision about whether you want to work with me.

That said please find below some commonly asked questions:

Is the course appropriate for me?

MBSR has been found to be effective in promoting health and wellbeing for individuals facing a wide variety of challenges. However, MBSR may not be an appropriate choice for you at this time.

This may be the case if you are dealing with:

  • An acute medical condition requiring frequent intervention or treatment
  • Substance abuse or dependence (currently or within the past year).
  • Psychological issues including suicidality; psychosis, trauma, severe recurrent clinical depression or other major psychiatric diagnoses.

Is the course religious?

The course is not religious in any way. Whilst mindfulness and the meditation practices taught in the 8 week course stem from Buddhist psychology, they have been adapted specifically to be delivered in a secular context. Mindfulness training is open to people of any religious persuasion or none.

How long are the courses?

The courses are taught over 8 two-hour sessions. There is also an additional all-day practice mini-retreat which I will encourage you to attend.

What’s the difference between Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)?

The two approaches are very closely related. The MBSR course has been used for over thirty years to help with anxiety, low-mood, chronic health problems, and general well-being. The MBCT course was developed more recently and specifically for people with a diagnosed history of clinical depression, to help prevent the recurrence of relapse.

The courses I teach are based on a blend of both: the MBSR course developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre in the USA, as well as the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) course, developed by Segal, Williams and Teasdale.

What is the evidence that mindfulness works?

Over the past few decades, randomised-controlled trials of MBSR and MBCT have shown that mindfulness-based approaches are effective in managing stress, anxiety and depression, as well as improving people’s relationships, sharpening attention and aiding self-regulation. MBCT is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) for those who have had several episodes of clinical depression in order to reduce significantly the likelihood of future relapse.

Mindfulness-based approaches have also been shown to empower and reduce symptom perception among patients with physical health problems, including chronic pain, heart disease, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders and high blood pressure, as well as improving immune system functioning.

Mindfulness based approaches have also been adapted for use with a wide range of special interest groups.

For further information...

…and resources on the development and application of Mindfulness Based Approaches please see my Community section.