MBSR. MBCT. MSC… What’s in a name?!
A number of courses listed on our site are particular protocols that have been developed and refined over time. It’s worth getting to know the lingo as you search for courses. Here are short descriptions.
Not all teachers are qualified or certified to teach every type of course. Understanding the nature of these programs will also help you understand the qualification process of teachers. Learn more about choosing the right course for you here.
QUICK LINKS:
MBSR: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
MBCT: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Mindfulness for Health/Pain (Breathworks UK)
Interpersonal Mindfulness Course
MBSR: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
MBSR uses meditation, yoga and inquiry as a way of training people to relate differently to stresses in their lives and in fact, relate differently to each moment of their lives. It was originally developed for patients in chronic pain, undergoing intensive treatments for cancer, AIDS and other serious illness, but has since expanded and been incorporated into the daily lives of ten of thousands of people whether they are dealing with the serious stress of illness or simply the day to day stress which at times seems like it can be too much to handle. Research since the 1980s indicates that a majority of the people who complete this program report a greater ability to cope more effectively with short and long term stressful situations; an increased ability to relax, lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms; reduction in pain levels and enhanced ability to cope with chronic pain and most importantly a greater energy and enthusiasm for life. Find out more about MBSR here.
MBSR: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
MBCT is designed to help people who suffer repeated bouts of 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 the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) eight-week program, developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Zindel Segal, Mark Williams and John Teasdale adapted the MBSR program so it could be used specifically for people who had suffered repeated bouts of depression in their lives. You can read more about MBCT here.
MSC: Mindful Self-Compassion
MSC was developed by Christopher K. Germer, PhD and Kristin Neff, PhD, who ere inspired by the MBSR program and sought to further emphasize and explore self-compassion as a practice. The program combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion, providing tools for emotional resilience. Mindfulness is the first step in emotional healing—being able to turn toward and acknowledge our difficult thoughts and feelings (such as inadequacy, sadness, anger, confusion) with a spirit of openness and curiosity. Self-compassion involves responding to these difficult thoughts and feelings with kindness, sympathy and understanding so that we soothe and comfort ourselves when we’re hurting. Find out more about MSC here.
Mindfulness for Health/Pain (Breathworks UK)
Mindfulness for Health is the meditation program developed by Vidyamala Burch to help her cope with severe pain and health complications following two major spinal injuries. In the US, this course is sometimes called ‘You Are Not Your Pain,’ after the title of her most recent book. Vidyamala is now living a rich and fulfilling life. The course, refined by the Breathworks organization she founded, has been backed by research, and has changed the lives of thousands of people. The techniques are a mix of mindfulness meditation, compassion practices, a supportive mindful movement practice, and modern pain management strategies. These were created and refined by mindfulness experts who made it their life’s mission to share them, having suffered themselves from chronic pain and health problems. Find out more here.
Interpersonal Mindfulness Course
The Interpersonal Mindfulness Program is a secular entryway into relational mindfulness. Based on the Insight Dialogue guidelines, and an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) framework, it helps to bridge the gap between everyday life and meditation. The program brings together the power of mindfulness cultivated in relationship and deep listening with fundamental teachings of human psychology and wisdom. Prerequisites are participation in an MBSR or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program. It is taught by MBSR and MBCT instructors who have completed the Interpersonal Mindfulness Program Teacher Training. Find out more about Interpersonal Mindfulness here.
Learning 2 BREATHE (for Teens)
Learning 2 BREATHE is a mindfulness curriculum based on themes of MBSR developed for teenagers. Dr. Patricia Broderick, a Research Associate of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, developed the course over nine years, teaching teens in many different communities; in big urban public schools, elite private schools, to middle-class as well as disadvantaged youngsters with a great variety of backgrounds. L2B is informed by research on adolescent neurobiology, developmental psychology and known best practices for social and emotional learning. Since 2012, twenty-one studies on L2B have been published in peer-reviewed journals. They have consistently shown improved academic performance, easing of anxiety and fewer somatic complaints, among other benefits. The mindfulness practices included are similar to those taught in MBSR, but practice sessions are shorter and wording and exercises are developmentally appropriate. Find out more about Learning to BREATHE here.
Mindful Schools K-12 Program
The Mindful Schools K-12 Curriculum teaches students foundational skills in building attention, focus, and self-regulation. A student’s capacity to learn is directly impacted by whether they feel emotionally supported in the classroom. Today, with so many young people experiencing stress, trauma, and isolation, we need a new approach to equip educators with new practices, resources, and support to cultivate learning environments in which all students can thrive. Recently the Mindful Schools organization has updated their curriculum, now called 201: Mindfulness in the Classroom. This version integrates critical new research in education including: implicit bias, inclusivity and trauma-sensitive practices, and our relationship with technology. Find out more here.
Eat Right Now©
This course was developed by Dr. Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, an expert on addiction, former Director of Research at the Center for Mindfulness UMass Medical School and now at Brown University. It address topics such as: how we form habits and how to create healthy habits, practical tools to incorporate mindfulness in daily life, how to work with cravings, stress vs. hunger, coping with triggers and working with difficult emotions. Students learn daily lessons and practice instructions delivered by Dr. Brewer via The Eat Right Now® digital platform, complemented and supported by live weekly group education and discussion sessions facilitated by a qualified instructor. Participants will need an iPhone, Android smartphone or tablet with an internet connection in order to participate in Mindful Eating. Find out more here.
MBHC: Mindfulness-Based Habit Change
MBHC is another course developed by Dr. Judson Brewer, MD, PhD. MBHC utilizes a 3-step model based on well-researched psychology of reward-based learning to transform unwanted habits such as procrastination, stress eating, anxiety and related behaviors. Research shows that habits which interfere with health and happiness are based on automatic loops consisting of a trigger, behavior and reward/result. The MBHC model invites participants to map out their mental and behavioral patterns, and transform unwanted patterns. MBHC is offered through a variety of formats: books, 3 apps that use the flipped classroom model of content delivery, TED talks, podcasts, live online classes by accredited facilitators, individual coaching and an interactive international online community. Find out more here.
© MML Editorial Team, 2021