Program Components
1. Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) Training and Group Leading:
Fellows will be trained to co-lead Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness Training for Primary Care (MTPC) following empirically supported protocols. Opportunities to lead introductory mindfulness groups adapted for participants with conditions such as trauma, addiction, or severe mental illness may be available. In addition to leading weekly groups, fellows are responsible for intake evaluations, assessing for appropriate placement in groups offered by the Mindful Mental Health Service (MMHS), record keeping, and participation in administrative meetings.
CMC manages MBI programs to meet evidence-based standards. Fellows participate in the MMHS weekly team meeting and specific group supervision when leading groups. Outside of formal fellowship requirements/hours, opportunities also exist for fellows to volunteer in additional community programs at CMC (for instance, in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)). Please note that these would be considered enrichment-only voluntary hours, to occur outside of the fellowship’s required structure.
2. Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy Training:
Fellows are engaged in providing short-term individual mindfulness-based psychotherapy for approximately 2 clinical hours/week, receiving approximately 2 hours/week of general clinical supervision from CMC faculty. Individual short-term therapy is offered as an option for CHA patients who are not able to participate in group-based programs for compelling reasons, who may benefit from additional mindfulness-based individual work, or who are in the process of sorting out which mindfulness-based treatment might be most appropriate for their situation.
3. Didactic, Personal, and Experiential Training:
CMC has partnered with the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy (IMP) which offers a comprehensive nine-month Certificate Program in Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. The program includes recorded video lectures by leading clinicians and researchers in the field covering many aspects of the integration of mindfulness practices into psychotherapy, readings, section discussions, and evening “office hours” in which students interact with expert presenters. This is supplemented by an intensive meditation retreat experience, as well as ongoing instruction in meditation practice by seasoned instructors. Fellows who have continuing education funds through CHA employee benefits are expected to use these to cover the room/board expenses of participation in the residential retreat aspects of the IMP program. If continuing education funds are not available, then CMC will fund these costs. Fellows have free access to most CMC programs and events during their fellowship year.
4. Academic Leadership and Integration of Mindfulness with Healthcare Systems:
Fellows are invited to hone leadership skills essential for integration of mindfulness in healthcare environments, including service administration, program development and process improvement over the course of the fellowship. Fellows are encouraged to participate in an academic project in collaboration with CMC faculty.
Opportunities for academic collaboration include the CHA Academic Poster Day, Harvard Osher Integrative Medicine Forum, and Harvard Psychiatry Day. Fellows may also have the opportunity to work with other members of the CMC team (including research coordinators, administrative staff, and multidisciplinary clinicians), and opportunities to create partnerships with other hospital services (primary care, specialty mental health teams, intake coordination services, etc). Opportunities may exist for fellows to interface with other trainees and teach medical students, when applicable, on the Mindful Mental Health Service.
