What is MBCT?

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is a fusion of two quite different traditions.

The "M" of Mindfulness meditation has its roots in ancient Buddhist thought, whilst the "CT" of Cognitive Therapy comes from much more recent developments in clinical science.

So how smoothly can these two different traditions work together? 

Whilst cognitive therapy and meditation have many points of divergence - a different attitude towards goals, different methodologies and languages - they also have considerable points of convergence.

Both CT and mindfulness share a common intention - to understand and alleviate suffering. Both approaches consider much of human distress to be rooted in habitual patterns of thinking, and to be perpetuated by unconscious and automatic mental processes. Both highlight the dangers of identification with thoughts. 

Both practices also give precedence to the present. Mindfulness meditation underlines the present moment as the only point when awareness can be cultivated, when the subject can experience rather than mentally reconstruct. Similarly, CT focuses on what is happening now, and takes an active approach to action in the present, rather than delving into the past for causes or explanations of distress.

Mindfulness and Cognitive Therapies also share the belief that awareness can be cultivated and that this process is valuable in developing our ability to respond flexibly to experience and to distress. Both emphasise the human capacity to learn and adapt, be that through changes in behaviour or through meditative practice.

If you would like to read more about the relationship between Buddhist psychology and cognitive science, you may wish to read the following article:

Fennell, Melanie and Segal, Zindel(2011) 'Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: culture clash or creative fusion?', Contemporary Buddhism, 12: 1, 125 — 142

You can also find a selection of related publications from the Oxford Mindfulness Centre available to download freely here.