Join us in our mission of integrating mindfulness-based programming with healthcare.
The Mindful Behavior Change (MBC) Group Leader Training is the first step on the pathway toward MBC Group Leader Certification, introducing the foundational skills needed to deliver our 8-week Mindful Behavior Change program. The MBC Group Leader Training, described below, can also be taken on its own to gain basic skills in leading mindfulness groups and develop an understanding of how these groups can be integrated into clinical or general public settings. Most people who benefit from this training are healthcare providers and mindfulness or contemplative practice instructors. Continuing education credits are available for some professions.
Mindful Behavior Change - Group Leader Training is a 6-day experiential program with a mix of didactic, individual, and small group exercises designed to help attendees learn basic skills for leading mindfulness groups in clinical or community settings. This program introduces the foundation to deliver our 8-week Mindful Behavior Change (MBC) course, formerly known as Mindfulness Training for Living Well, a trauma-informed, therapeutic mindfulness-based intervention. The MBC course is the basis for our extensive Mindfulness Training for Primary Care (MTPC) research studies. Learn more about the creation of this program and our research results here.
Next Training Program Planned for:
Fall 2025 | Live Online
6 days total over three weeks
Tends to be 10am to 5pm each day
*Formerly known as MTPC GLT: read more here about the change
Testimonials
"The MBC Group Leader program has been incredible and transformative for me. All of the training and mentorship have been very helpful. This program is such a great addition to the primary care practice, as it provides a true space for patients to come together, learn important skills to live well and heal in a way that most other programs do not allow for. Patients also love being able to spend more time with their primary care doctors in a very different capacity from what they are used to." - M.S., Boston-area primary care doctor
”In the busyness of appointments and the hurriedness of everyday life, there is nothing more special to me than the opportunity to participate in the MBC program.” - Social Worker, Cambridge Health Alliance
Faculty
Upper row: Richa Gawande, PhD; Zev Schuman-Olivier, MD; Todd Griswold, MD
Lower row: Kiera Fredericksen, LICSW; Sasha Oxnard, MD, MPH; Laura Warren, MD
Program Assistants
Paula Gardiner, Barbara Ogur, Rahil Rojiani, Barbara Hamm, Janet Yassen, Patrice Mann, Teresa Yeh, Jessika Bailey
About MBC
MBC was developed by CMC to be broadly accessible as an insurance-reimbursable mindfulness program. MBC is effective in helping primary care patients with anxiety, depression, and stress as well as those who are coping with chronic illness to increase their capacity for health behavior change, self-compassion, body awareness, and emotion regulation. This group leader training will offer instruction on how to lead the MBC program in primary care and community settings, and is appropriate for professionals in healthcare, community health, education, mindfulness research, mindfulness intervention, and leadership fields.
The MBC program has been adapted and delivered in primary care, mental health, addictions, diverse community-based settings, including Spanish and Portuguese linguistic and cultural adaptations.
Following completion of this 6-day training, you can take the next step toward MBC Group Leader Certification with mentorship and guidance for implementation into your specific healthcare setting. You’ll gain the experience and skills needed to confidently lead MBC groups on your own, especially within a clinical setting with these groups qualifying for insurance reimbursement.
MBC Group Leader Training Curriculum (32 hours)
Learn and start leading primary practices of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI), including Body Scan, Mindfulness of Breath, (Sitting) Meditation, Mindful Walking, Mindful Eating, and Mindful Movement. Learn additional MBC-specific practices and exercises including core values, behavior change, and autopilot awareness, as well as informal practices such as STOP ACHE GO.
Introduction: core competencies of group leadership including attitudinal components of trauma-sensitive leadership (embodiment of mindfulness, non-judgment, curiosity, present-moment awareness)
Partner leading: the process of giving and receiving feedback
Introduction: principles of the inquiry process
Importance of cultural humility and trauma awareness for group leaders
Screening, patient orientation, eliciting commitment to practice
Logistic considerations of MBIs in primary care and mental health care setting, referral process, clinical indications, screening, electronic medical record note-writing, as well as billing and health-system implementation case studies
Pacing and organization of session curricula and the half- and full-day silent day of practice
Holding a group learning environment and principles of being an MBC group leader
Additional Details
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Applicants must have the following:
At least 6 months of a personal mindfulness practice.
Taken at least one 8-week mindfulness based program such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Training for Living Well (MTLW) or under the new name, Mindful Behavior Change (MBC), or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
If you have not taken one of these, we can recommend this MBSR course which would finish in time to meet the requirement for the January 2024 training or several MBSR courses here, as long as they finish within the month of January.
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Early Bird rate until December 8: $1,199
Regular rate until January 2: $1,349
Late registration: $1,449
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Full refund will be issued, minus a $100 processing fee, for cancellations made up to two weeks before the start date of the training or course. A 50% refund will be issued for cancellation in the period between two weeks and two working days before the start of the training or course. No refund is available if cancellation is within 2 working days before the start of the course or training or once program training materials are received.
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A limited number of 50% scholarships are available for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
A limited number of scholarships are available for the general community.
A limited number of 50% scholarships are available for Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) staff.
To be considered for a scholarship, please: (1) complete the general application form first, then (2) complete the scholarship application: click here.
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Learn more here about becoming certified to lead MBC groups on your own.
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Please see below for publications outlining the process of insurance billing and healthcare implementation.
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We typically apply for CE on behalf of the following professions: Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage/Family Therapists
