Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is designed to help people who suffer repeated bouts of anxiety, depression and chronic unhappiness. It combines the ideas of cognitive therapy with meditative practices and attitudes based on the cultivation of mindfulness. The heart of this work lies in becoming acquainted with the modes of mind that often characterize mood disorders while simultaneously learning to develop a new relationship to them. MBCT is based on Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program, and relies on the principles of mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork. It is a therapeutic practice of mindful enquiry, designed to bring introspective awareness.
Through MBCT, the client feels increased energy levels, better moods and positive thoughts. Using the mind and the body as a conduit to feelings, emotions, thoughts, body sensations, the client gains more compassion and kindness for self. The practice is slow and mindful, bringing increased awareness to breath, body, heart, mind and life. Over time, clients will feel decreased stress rates and increased energy.
MBCT helps alleviate depression, anxiety, unhappiness, worry, trauma and chronic pain – all stress related conditions, by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and increasing GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric acid) in the body.
