ACT NOW!
Phone Rehab Guide on:
0845 600 7566
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
MBCT is a form of psychological therapy, which blends aspects of cognitive therapy with mindfulness techniques. MBCT involves accepting your thoughts and feelings with compassion and without judgement, rather than trying to push them out of your consciousness. Doing this will correct ’cognitive distortions’ in your thinking.
The goal of MBCT is not relaxation nor happiness as such, but, rather, ‘freedom from the tendency to get drawn into automatic reactions to thoughts, feelings, and events’. MBCT is based on a programme developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn for use with major depressive disorders. Clients enhance their own awareness and learn how to respond to things instead of reacting to them automatically. MBCT programmes typically consist of eight weekly two-hour sessions, with weekly assignments to complete in your own time.
MBCT is about learning how to pay attention – to concentrate with purpose in each moment – and, most importantly, without judgement. Through mindfulness, clients may recognize that holding onto some feelings is ineffective and self-destructive. Mindfulness has been recognized as helpful by many therapists. The UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends MBCT for patients who have suffered from three or more major episodes of depression.
If you liked this article, please share it. Others may find it useful.