What does the M.St involve? A more detailed look at the content of the course

Over the two years of the M.St course, students attend nine intensive teaching blocks, lasting three to four days each, and based in Oxford. In addition, they attend three residential training workshops/retreats (one of four and one of seven days in Year I, and one of seven days in Year II), based at retreat centres in the British countryside. Knowledge and understanding of theory, research and clinical principle will be taught during teaching blocks in both years.

Year I: The Experiential Curve

Year I focuses on experiential learning of MBCT, some initial practice in teaching and on understanding the fundamental psychological mechanisms thought to underlie emotional disorder and how these might be addressed in MBCT. The year includes sessions on cognitive science, its clinical applications, and congruent aspects of Buddhist psychology on which MBCT draws. In addition, students will begin the process of learning how to teach MBCT. 

In summary, the first year of the course will enable students to:

1) Experience the 8-week MBCT programme as a participant and reflect on the aims and intentions of the practices and exercises

2) Establish and deepen personal meditation practice

3) Cultivate the attitudinal qualities required for becoming a mindfulness teacher

4) Understand and describe MBCT and its relationship with contemporary Buddhist Psychology and cognitive science and therapy both from a theoretical and experiential perspective.

Year II: Becoming a Teacher

Much of Year II is devoted to developing and honing the skills required to teach MBCT. Students will receive feedback on their teaching practice from course tutors and peers. In this year, sessions on theory/research will focus on the theory and practice of applying MBCT with different clinical populations (e.g. patients with depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, psychosis in adolescents as well as adults). These sessions will require students to understand the development and maintenance of the problem area under consideration, and to consider how MBCT might be modified to address this area. There will also be teaching on the congruent aspects of Buddhist Psychology. In summary, the second year of the course will enable students to:

1) Further explore the core elements of the MBCT curriculum

2) Learn how to teach these to their peers

3) Observe the other MBCT instructors teaching and experience a range of teaching styles

4) Practice teaching the curriculum to one another and gaining formative feedback from peers and course tutors.

5) Develop enquiry skills and strengthen the attitudinal qualities of a mindfulness teacher

6) Further understand the relevance of cognitive theory and therapy and Buddhist Psychology to the MBCT programme.