Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, or MBCT, is designed for people who suffer repeated bouts of depression or chronic unhappiness. It combines the ideas of cognitive therapy with meditative practices and attitudes based on the cultivation of mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the idea of paying attention to what is going on this very moment. Mindfulness is the awareness of yourself and your environment and how you affect each other.
Mindfulness means that you are fully aware of your physical body. An example that I often will use is when you’re angry you may not notice your breathing. You may not notice how your heart feels you may not even notice that your muscle tension has changed these are things that you can learn over time by practicing mindfulness.
Mindfulness can be difficult and takes discipline to learn. Mindfulness is not something that you will pass or fail it is something that you constantly work at to be more aware of throughout your life.
Recent research has also shown that people who have been clinically depressed three or more times in their life find that learning mindfulness-based skills helps to considerably reduce their chances of depression returning.
What does MBCT help treat?
- Depression and anxiety
- Food and eating issues
- Low mood and negative thoughts
- Body sensations such as weariness and sluggishness
- Psychosis
If you can relate to any of the above issues, mindfulness-based therapy may be right for you. MBCT helps people separate themselves from their thoughts and moods and teaches them how to recognize their sense of being, and aims to give participants the necessary tools to combat depressive symptoms as they arise.
Evidence indicates that mindfulness-based therapy may reduce the rate of depressive relapse by 50%. If you or someone you know will benefit from mindfulness-based therapy, please contact me today for a free consultation. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.
