Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: An Overview

Given the high psychological as well as social and economic burden associated with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the prevention of relapse must be a high priority for health systems. But, if a person has already experienced anti-depressant medication and possibly regular therapy as well, what options might work to stop the sad cycle of relapse? Would you know how to treat a client who is experiencing repeated bouts of major depression? One therapeutic response which has demonstrated efficacy for the prevention of relapse in recurrent depression is that of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. This course will give you an overview of it. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to: Cite the basic notions of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, how it developed, and what typical MBCT courses contain; Explain at least five ways in which MBCT is different from CBT; Name at least five clinical applications/situations in which MBCT has proved to be effective; Explain the mechanism by which MBCT works; Relate the experiences of participants in MBCT courses, suggesting what components they found most useful and how they integrated the learnings into their lives and relationships.