Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Distinctive Features »

Rebecca Crane is an MBCT teacher and trainer and a Research Fellow within the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, School of Psychology, Bangor University, UK.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is increasingly used in therapeutic practice. It encourages clients to process experience without judgement as it arises, helping them to change their relationship with challenging thoughts and feelings, and accept that, even though difficult things may happen, it is possible to work with these in new ways.

This book provides a basis for understanding the key theoretical and practical features of MBCT. Focusing on a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy programme that is offered in a group context to those who are vulnerable to depressive relapses, the text is divided into 30 distinctive features that characterise the approach.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Distinctive Features provides a concise, straightforward summary for professionals and trainees in the field. Its easy-to-use format will appeal to both experienced practitioners and newcomers with an interest in MBCT.

Foreword Mark Williams Williams, Mark

Pt. 1 The Distinctive Theoretical Features of MBCT 1

1 An integration of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 3

2 Underpinned by the cognitive theory of vulnerability to depression 9

3 Learning skills to reduce the risk of depressive relapse 15

4 The significance of automatic pilot 21

5 Modes of mind: "doing" 27

6 Doing mode in action: the effects of rumination 31

7 Doing mode in action: the effects of experiential avoidance 35

8 Reacting and responding to experience: avoidance and approach 39

9 Modes of mind: "being" 43

10 Body sensations - a door into the present 49

11 Ways of approaching and welcoming what is 53

12 Developing a new relationship with experience 59

13 Awareness as a container of our experience 65

14 Working with general and specific vulnerability 69

15 The MBCT evidence base 73

Pt. 2 The Distinctive Practical Features of MBCT 79

16 Course content and structure 81

17 Session themes 93

18 Assessment and orientation 97

19 Eating a raisin with awareness 101

20 Body scan practice 105

21 Mindful movement practice 109

22 Sitting meditation practice 115

23 The Three Minute Breathing Space 119

24 The importance of home practice 125

25 Mindfulness practice in everyday life 129

26 Pleasant and unpleasant experiences 133

27 Cognitive behavioural curriculum elements 137

28 Investigating experience 143

29 The MBCT learning environment 149

30 Teaching through embodiment 155

Further resources 165

References 169

Index 173