Apply today and learn to teach Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with our Teacher Training Intensive. MBCT is an 8-week, evidence-based, insurance-reimbursable therapeutic approach that combines the principles of cognitive therapy with mindfulness practices. Developed initially to help individuals prevent the recurrence of depression, MBCT has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, stress, and other mood disorders. By integrating mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral strategies, MBCT helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, allowing them to respond to stress and emotional challenges with greater resilience and self-compassion.

Join us and learn how teaching MBCT can enhance your professional practice and improve patient outcomes. Become part of a growing community dedicated to mindfulness and compassion in healthcare.

Applications for this program are now closed.

We plan to offer this program again in the fall of 2026.

2024 Schedule:

  • Four hours of pre-recorded content for participants to view prior to first live class.

  • Live class, in-person only, Malden, MA - November 1 and 2, 10am to 5pm and November 3, 10 am to 3pm.

  • Then attend four out of six, 3-hour live-online practice sessions.

    • Choose one: Tuesday November 5, 5:30-8:30pm or Thursday November 7, 5:30-8:30pm

    • Everyone attends: Saturday November 9, 9am to 12pm

      • (Our preference is for everyone to attend live-online this day. However, we can provide a recording if necessary. Those seeking CE *must* attend live.)

    • Everyone attends: Tuesday November 12, 5:30-8:30pm

      • (Our preference is for everyone to attend live-online this day. However, we can provide a recording if necessary. Those seeking CE *must* attend live.)

    • Choose one: Thursday November 14, 5:30-8:30pm or Saturday November 16, 9am to 12pm

Format:

  • Hybrid learning with an in-person, long-weekend in Malden, MA.

  • Additional asynchronous and interactive live sessions on Zoom before and after in-person weekend.

Who should apply?

This course is well-suited for healthcare workers, clinicians, and social service professionals who want to expand their ability to help those in their care.

Description of MBCT-TTI

Course Director, Primary Instructor, and Lead Teacher Trainer

Associate Director, Instructor, and Teacher Trainer

The MBCT Teacher Training Intensive (MBCT-TTI) is the essential first step toward becoming a certified MBCT teacher, ideal for behavioral health and healthcare professionals looking to incorporate mindfulness practices into their clinical work. Participants will explore the 8-week MBCT curriculum comprehensively, beginning with guided instruction on key program components. This is followed by "teachbacks," where participants practice leading peers through core mindfulness practices and cognitive therapy exercises under supervision.

Our MBCT-TTI offers a solid foundation in MBCT theory and practice, equipping you with the skills needed to effectively teach this transformative therapy. You will benefit from our extensive experience in mindfulness research and clinical applications, as well as our integration within a healthcare system at Cambridge Health Alliance. Our program is led by highly experienced instructors, ensuring high-quality education and support.

The training combines didactic learning, experiential practice, and small group activities to provide a well-rounded educational experience. Participants engage in daily meditations, mindful movement, and periods of silence to deepen their understanding and personal mindfulness practice. A key focus is on the clinician's own mindfulness practice, emphasizing how self-awareness can enhance their ability to support clients in emotional distress.

    • Do you want to learn how to deliver a well-established mindfulness-based program that has been proven to be effective for people living with depression and anxiety?

    • Are you interested in increasing your skills and confidence in guiding meditation practices and cognitive exercises are facilitated?

    • Would you like to understand the key underpinnings of each session and component of the 8-week MBCT program?

    • Have you wondered about how the MBCT program is designed to prevent depressive relapse and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety?

    • Have you participated in an 8-week mindfulness-based program? Alternatively, are you able to take the 8-week MBCT program, which is offered by theCenter for Mindfulness & Compassion and theCentre for Mindfulness Studies, prior the start of this course?

    • Do you have a personal mindfulness practice?

    • Have you completed some training in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)?

    • By the time the program starts, you will have completed an 8-week course of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) or Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as a participant and can send us your certificate of completion.

    • Have a well-established personal mindfulness practice.

    • Required Reading: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Second Edition by Zindel Segal, J. Mark Williams and John Teasdale, 2012.

    • Recommended Reading: MBCT: Embodied Presence & Inquiry in Practice by Susan Woods, Patricia Rockman, and Evan Collins, 2019.

  • The MBCT Teacher Training Intensive is highly interactive and experiential. Registrants will follow the progression of the 8-week MBCT program – first experiencing the key components of each session and then practicing their delivery in small group teachbacks.

    You can expect to spend some periods in silent practice and others in active discussion and interaction. In-person training days will include a one hour lunch break. You will have preparation and assignments to complete after each day of training so it is highly recommended that you keep the days of training as free of other commitments as possible.

    Due to the experiential nature of this training, registrants must have a private, quiet space in which to participate for the online portions. A high-speed, reliable internet connection is also required.

    • Early Bird: $1,495

      • $748: CHA Staff rate, student rate, BIPOC rate, and general scholarship rate. (All scholarships are limited number, by application.)

    • Regular Rate, as of September 18: $1,595,

      • $799: CHA Staff rate, student rate, BIPOC rate, and general scholarship rate. (All scholarships are limited number, by application.)

    • Late Registration, after October 18: $1,695

      • $999: CHA Staff rate, student rate, BIPOC rate, and general scholarship rate. (All scholarships are limited number, by application.)

  • CMC does not currently offer the entire pathway toward certification. However, our Teacher Training Intensive does meet the requirements for at least two of our partner organizations. You can learn more from them about the full pathway, and we will discuss this in the first session of the training.

MBCT or MBSR requirement

We can recommend taking MBCT or MBSR from one of the following organizations:

  • Brown University: MBCT and MBSR

  • Centre for Mindfulness Studies (Toronto, Canada): MBCT and MBSR

  • UC San Diego, Center for Integrative Health: MBCT and MBSR

  • U Mass Memorial Health: same webpage for MBCT and MBSR

  • Mindful Leader: MBSR only

Disclosures

All individuals including course directors, planners, reviewers, faculty, staff, etc., who are in a position to control the content of this educational activity have reported no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Continuing Education

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Define mindfulness and its role in healthcare 

  • Define cognitive behavioral therapy and its role in healthcare

  • Define the overarching theory of MBCT and its role in healthcare

  • List 3 psychiatric conditions that MBCT has shown efficacy in

  • List 2 chronic conditions (e.g. pain) or wellness-related areas (e.g. stress, burn out) that MBCT has shown efficacy in

  • List at least 3 screening criteria for participants in an MBCT group

  • List 3 MBCT adaptations that are available (e.g. MBCT for resilience, individual MBCT therapy, etc.)

  • Describe week 1 of MBCT curriculum

  • Describe week 2 of MBCT curriculum

  • Describe week 3 of MBCT curriculum

  • Describe week 4 of MBCT curriculum

  • Describe week 5 of MBCT curriculum

  • Describe week 6 of MBCT curriculum

  • Describe week 7 of MBCT curriculum

  • Describe week 8 of MBCT curriculum

  • List 3 key principles for planning an MBCT retreat

  • Describe 3 ways to be compassionate and inclusive when providing MBCT to individuals or groups

  • Discuss how to bring a trauma-informed perspective into MBCT

  • Identify how social determinants of health can affect MBCT

  • Identify how one's own practice can sustain oneself during implementation of MBCT

  • Describe available metrics for monitoring participant progress over time during and after MBCT

  • Describe available metrics for collecting feedback about efficacy of oneself as an MBCT teacher for personal and professional growth

  • Demonstrate key MBCT practices at beginner/advanced beginner level 

  • Demonstrate inquiry skills at beginner level 

  • List at least 3 considerations for terminating/closure in an MBCT group

  • Describe options for further treatment/practice up for MBCT group members 

Continuing Education Credit

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program offers 28 continuing education credits.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This program offers 28 continuing education credits and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 28 credits.

Social Workers

This program has been approved for 28 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization # D 93007-1. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This program offers 28 contact hours.

Featured News: CMC was awarded a research grant titled “Neural and physiologic effects of self-compassion on chronic pain” from the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital.  This grant provides seed funding for a pilot neuroimaging study examining self-compassion training for people experiencing chronic lower back pain.