ABSTRACT
The general shape of the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programme is eight weekly 2- to 2.5-hour-long sessions preceded by a pre-course orientation and assessment session, and with a day of guided mindfulness practice scheduled between sessions 6 and 7. There is a structured schedule of home practice, involving 45 minutes per day of a formal mindfulness practice, daily life informal practices and recording of observations of experiences. There is an emphasis in the first half of the programme on learning to bring attention to internal experience and seeing what happens in this process. The second half of the programme emphasises the application of understandings that are emerging to life challenges. There is an intention throughout to embed the learning process in mindfulness. Primarily this is conveyed through the teacher embodying the attitudinal qualities of mindfulness - acceptance, kindliness and gentle non-striving, along with bringing a spirit of genuine curiosity and investigation to the process.
