We are very keen to provide accessible ways of supporting you learn mindfulness in the comfort of your own home either on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. As a provider of Training Excellence and CPD course provider we offer Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction MBSR and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy MBCT courses.

The 8-week MBSR course is based on the original work of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s highly acclaimed Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and the current programs taught at the Massachusetts Medical Centre, Bangor University Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice (CMRP) in the UK and around the world. 

The 8-week MBCT for depression course is based on the original work of Zindel V. Segal, J. Mark G. Williams and John D. Teasdale.

The 8-week MBCT for Cancer course is based on the original work of the wonderful Trish Bartley. 

Private MBSR, MBCT for depression or MBCT for Cancer one-one course cost with Kathy Ward:

Introductory call, 8 x 60-minute calls, 1 x 60-minute call one month after the course finishes, mp3 meditation recordings and extensive participants workbook 650 euros. 

Introductory call, 8 x 90-minute calls plus 1 x 60-minute call one month after the course finishes, mp3 meditation recordings and extensive workbook 935 euros.

Courses can usually be organized to take into consideration your work schedule and time zone. Email support is also included during your course, so that we can support your learning.

Small Group course costs with Kathy Ward:

Kathy also offers occasional MBSR, MBCT for depression and MBCT for cancer group courses (minimum 4 people, maximum 9) If you are interested, please email us at [email protected] to be placed on the waiting list. The cost for the private introductory call, 8 x 150-minute group calls, mp3 meditation recordings and extensive workbook is 350 euros.

Email support is also included during your course, so that we can support your learning.

Mindful Academy International CPD accredited Mindfulness 8-week MBSR courses are also available through our licensed training team members in the USA with Tina Langdok Hungary with Andras Barta, Ireland, and Europe with Fiona McMahon,  Sierra Leone with Julia Emes, Italy with Alex Dendry and Romania with Hedi Hoka. For dates and details please contact them directly or scroll to the bottom of the page.  

You can apply to take this MBSR or MBCT course either as a first experience of Mindfulness-based practice, as a refresher, as an opportunity to deepen an existing mindfulness-based practice, or as a way to prepare for your MBSR Teacher Training course. Graduates share that the experience of working closely with a Senior International MBSR Teacher in this way can lead to profound understandings and changes in one's life. Many online MBSR or MBCT course participants have been surprised at the depth of practice, sense of connection and ease of learning during the live online course, and often go on to further engagement with mindfulness in various ways.

When we offer this MBSR or MBCT course in an in-person format participants travel to the course location for one session of 2.5 hours a week for the 8 weeks, some locations also offer more intensive formats for busy people who cannot commit to 8 weeks. In a live online learning format, you have the choice of either a small group or, if you prefer you can also book a private 1-1 course (or 1-2 option with a friend)

In both cases, we will deliver the content in a similar manner to the in-person format, and the home practice assignments are exactly the same. Due to the personal nature of the 1-1 sessions, the call duration is shorter. 

Each week you will take part in either a group 2.5 hour session (1 hour or 1.5 hours for 1-1 or 1 - 2) via Zoom or Skype with Kathy Ward, Senior International MBSR Trainer, Teacher, and Supervisor, or depending on locations, one of the training team. We will guide and support you through the learning of the mindfulness course. Practice mp3's and our extensive Participants workbook will either be handed out to you at the start of the course or be emailed to you. Like most things in life, you get out what you put in and home practice forms a large part of the course and you will need to commit yourself to spend up to one hour 6 out of 7 days a week for the duration of the course. This includes -

• Listening and practicing using the supplied mp3 recordings
• Reading the Participants Workbook
• Making notes of your direct experience
• Include some informal mindfulness practices in your daily life

Please note: Not all members of the training team are able to offer Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, please check if you are unsure.

Session 1 - An introduction to Mindfulness.

Session 2 - Perceptions and creative responding. "It's not the stressors per se, but how you handle them" 

Session 3 - The Pleasure and Power in being present.

Session 4 - Cultivating Curiosity and Openness to the full range of experience, recognizing and reducing the negative effects of automatic, habitual stress reactivity.

Session 5 - Paying attention to your growing capacity to respond and recover more rapidly from everyday challenges and stressors. 

Session 6 - Interpersonal Mindfulness and Building Resilience.

Session 7 - Integrating Mindfulness practice and reflecting on life-style choices. "What do I need to take care of myself now"?

Session 8 - A Mindful Life, keeping up the momentum.

• The intention of the 8-week Mindfulness MBSR Course is to learn new ways to be with our body sensations, thought, and emotions.
• The course shows us ways to be kind to ourselves so that we are able to live our lives in a fuller and healthier way.
• It promotes a way of being that helps us to tackle life problems - physical, mental, social and emotional, you could call it a way of finding balance.
• The focus of the Mindfulness practice is to learn to ground ourselves in what is happening in the world around using the senses, to become aware of the small changes in the physical sensations in the body, to practice looking at thoughts, rather than from thoughts and to cultivate a new way of being with our emotions.
• During the course, we will learn about the power of an intention, how to notice what is going on for us right now in the present moment, how to gently turn towards our experience be it pleasant or unpleasant and how to be kind to ourselves. In this way, we learn how to respond more skillfully to situations, rather than simply reacting automatically.
• Overall, the course is often helpful in dealing with an ongoing difficulty whatever that may be - the problem may not change however studies show that the way we can learn to relate to it most likely will. 

Whilst taking part in the course it is important to remember that finding the time to practice involves a shift in our normal daily routine. We find it helps to think of building the time in during the 8 weeks, rather than trying to fit it into our busy schedules. As we practice, things may appear to be feeling more intense and challenging, and the course encourages us to bring a high degree of attention to everything, even the unpleasant or difficult. This forms an important part of the experiential learning - to stay and be with the unpleasant and difficult with kindness, rather than turn away pretending it is not there or avoiding them. You may have found already that that simply does not work! Of course, we will also learn when it is right to turn away and anchor with the breath or feet on the floor.

Please note there is little opportunity or time in either the group or 1-1 option to discuss any current or past personal problems not related to the session or home practices. If necessary these should be pursued through individual work with a counselor or other appropriate support.