5 mins

Being mindful when it matters most with MBCT

Delving into how your mind functions with MBCT

Mindfulness is a bit of a buzzword these days and mindfulness retreats and workshops are very on-trend at the moment for corporate away-days and team bonding sessions. However, how does mindfulness work when combined with the power of psychological therapies and methodologies?

In this article we’re going to explore Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and how it has been used to help individuals deeply understand the inner workings of their own mind in such a way that empowers and supports their own growth.

What is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)?

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) blends ancient mindfulness techniques with the cutting-edge 21st century science of cognitive therapy. By infusing traditional cognitive therapy with mindfulness techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises, this modern therapeutic model is able to help individuals break away from the negative thought patterns that lead people to spiral into depression.

Historically, this form of treatment was devised for people who had recurring episodes of depression and it’s proven to be highly effective for those who have experienced major depressive disorders, or at least three key episodes of depression.

How CBT inspired methods are used in MBCT

This form of therapy helps the individual gain a deep awareness of the role that their own mind plays in depression. For example, there’s a “decentering” technique that encourages individuals to become aware of their thoughts and feelings, without reacting to them – and even, finding a healthy level of acceptance for these thoughts and feelings.

Other processes aid individuals in dropping self-criticism, rumination and low-moods, when reacting to negative thinking patterns.

What the evidence-base shows us

One of the reasons psychological methods are preferred over others, is the rigour and discipline of referring to and maintaining an evidence-base’. Our work is guided by results and evidence, and we also contribute our findings where appropriate, to keep our methods in-line with the trends and changes of our fast-paced society.

For MBCT, results show how effective this therapeutic model is when it comes to treating people with depressive tendencies. In a recent study by the University of Surrey, School of Psychology, people who completed a course of MBCT experienced:

  • a 63% decrease in depression
  • a 58% reduction in anxiety
  • a 40% reduction in perceived stress

How MBCT differs when compared to other forms of mindfulness

When it comes to mindfulness, there are many practitioners and people you can turn to. There are coaches of all kinds – from life coaches, to soul coaches, motivational coaches and even specific meditation coaches who are trained in mindfulness practices. In certain cultures, especially eastern cultures, mindfulness practices are part of everyday life, as they are taught to young children in schools and religious institutions.

While all practitioners of mindfulness are doing a wonderful job of helping relieve the stress felt by individuals and the collective consciousness at large, we believe the MBCT model of therapy is incredibly targeted and can be tailored to the specifics of an individual in a way that offers far better results than a generalised approach.

For example, whenever we work with a client, we devise a psychological formulation of the build of the client’s psyche. From there, we work out what their unique trigger points are, what hidden ego-traps might be at play, and what the client might themselves be doing that hinders progress.

How we fine-tune mindfulness practices to suit you

The majority of mindfulness programmes are designed for beginners and are also taught in classes of anywhere from a handful of people to a few hundred people. While these programmes have many benefits, through MBCT we can teach you specific tools that will be perfect for how your unique mind functions.

Learning the skills of mindfulness through a class, or an app, or a guided meditation certainly has its benefits. Attending a workshop will also be very beneficial. However, working with a professional trained in MBCT, such as one of the many skilled therapists in our team, will help you take mindfulness to new levels. It’s through the application of these valuable skills in the moment they are needed most that will help you create powerful shifts within your life – people have experienced healing within key relationships, progress in their personal projects and experienced a flourishing of their careers once they start to master the techniques and skills of mindfulness.

Making peace with the inner-workings of your mind

In addition to depression, MBCT has also been known to help people who suffer from anxiety, panic attacks and claustrophobia. According to author Julie Myerson, who personally went through extreme anxiety and turned to MBCT for healing, she described her experience of this modality as enabling her to develop “a whole new relationship with my thoughts”. Furthermore, her experience of mindfulness is that it’s “not about trying to change things, but accepting them as they are, non-judgmentally, with as much kindness and gentleness as possible.”

We’ve helped countless individuals experience the transformational effects of mindfulness. If you would like to discuss how we can help, then please do contact us for a confidential chat.

Dr Elena Touroni

Dr Elena Touroni

17 January 2019

"Dr. Elena Touroni is a skilled and experienced Consultant Psychologist with a track record of delivering high-quality services for individuals with all common emotional difficulties and those with a diagnosis of personality disorder. She is experienced in service design and delivery, the management of multi-disciplinary teams, organisational consultancy, and development and delivery of both national and bespoke training to providers in the statutory and non-statutory sector."

You may like these...

1 min

When should I get treatment for a sleep disorder?

1 min

Does generalised anxiety disorder go away?

1 min

When’s the best time to start couples therapy?

1 min

What do psychiatrists do day to day?

Start your journey

Today

Athena Lazaridou

Athena is a Pilates instructor with 8 years’ experience in the field. After completing a Power Pilates Mat Certification in Athens, she went on to complete the Full Comprehensive Classical Pilates Certification with Equinox in Kensington.  She has been teaching Pilates at Equinox for the past 6 years in addition to her own private clients who she trains both face to face and virtually.

Athena has a passion for helping people get stronger and fitter as well as helping those recovering from injury regain their strength and mobility.  Over the years, she has worked with athletes to incorporate Pilates into their training and improve performance. Athena has also worked with prenatal and postnatal women who may be experiencing depression or other mental health difficulties and used Pilates to facilitate a positive impact on their mental health.

Athena is very passionate about improving physical and mental well-being and has recently incorporated Sound Healing into her work, as she believes it to be one of the best ways of ‘letting go’ and releasing stale energy whilst increasing greater self-awareness.