Building Competence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Transcripts and Insights for Working With Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Other Problems

215 Pages·2015·1.67 MB·English

by  Richard W. Sears

Building Competence in
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive
Therapy
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based program
that combines mindfulness and cognitive therapy techniques for working
with stress, anxiety, depression, and other problems. Building Competence in
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy provides the first transcript of an entire
8-week program. This intimate portrayal of the challenges and celebrations
of actual clients gives the reader an inside look at the processes that occur
within these groups. The author also provides insights and practical sugges-
tions for building personal and professional competence in delivering the
MBCT protocol.
“There’s nothing like watching an expert in action. In this wonderfully illus-
trative and openhearted book, Richard Sears shares his wisdom and expe-
rience by providing a complete transcript of an 8-week course of MBCT.
Whether you’re an experienced provider or a novice, you’ll love seeing how
Dr. Sears does this. When it resembles how you do it, you’ll feel validated.
When it’s different, you’ll appreciate the fresh ideas. The introductory chap-
ters provide insights about numerous clinical and practical issues. Both stu-
dents and seasoned experts will pore over this unique book.” Ruth Baer, PhD,
author of The Practicing Happiness Workbook and Mindfulness-based Treat-
ment Approaches
“Being an MBCT therapist may ask more of us than some other modes
of therapy, but also may give us more in return. In particular, the need to
cultivate one’s own mindfulness practice can be personally challenging and
also profoundly life changing. Although what we teach must be grounded
in our personal practice of mindfulness, facilitating mindful awareness in
others requires other skills as well (such as conducting postpractice inquiries
with awareness, empathy, and compassion). Dr. Sears has given us an essential
resource to help professionals become more reflective, observant, and attuned
MBCT therapists. Both novice clinicians learning to facilitate MBCT groups
and seasoned clinicians wishing to deepen their skills will definitely want to
read this book.” Randye J. Semple, PhD, assistant professor, University of South-
ern California, coauthor of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxious
Children
“This book is a timely addition to the discussion about building compe-
tence in MBCT. Dr. Sears has beautifully described the process of leading
participants through the 8-week program and at the same time offers use-
ful and practical guidance about what is involved in teaching MBCT. I will
recommend this book to all the MBCT trainees I teach.” Susan Woods, MSW,
LICSW, senior MBSR/MBCT professional trainer, principal curriculum consultant,
Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, Center for Mindfulness, UC San
Diego
“Whilst the empirical literature on MBCT has been rapidly expanding in
recent years, the literature on MBCT clinical practice and pedagogy has been
much slower to develop. This is not surprising. MBCT teaching and learning
is a subtle and delicate process which is best discovered through direct expe-
rience. However, it is wonderful to have other entry points and windows to
support discovery. This valuable book offers us the opportunity of a fly-on-
the-wall perspective of the intimate work that takes place within an MBCT
class and the chance to join the teacher and participants in their journey
through the 8 weeks. A wonderful resource for all in the field.” Rebecca Crane,
Director, Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, Bangor University, UK
“Richard Sears has created a rich and timely resource for anyone working in
mindfulness-based interventions. This practical and thorough guide provides
coverage of an MBCT course from the beginning preparations, including
marketing and setting up a group space, to an inside session-by-session look
at the course. With its sound examples and advice regarding important issues
and specific skills invaluable to the MBI facilitator, this book will become
a favorite go-to for clinicians, students, and supervisors.” Sarah Bowen, PhD,
author of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictive Behaviors: A
Clinician’s Guide
“Leading an MBCT group is a product of a unique, personal integration of
the teacher’s mindfulness meditation practice with the structured MBCT
protocol. Dr. Sears provides a detailed, personal example of how this integra-
tion can unfold as well as answering many common ‘nuts and bolts’ questions
about how to facilitate an MBCT group. As such, this book is a valuable
complement to the MBCT treatment manual. It will be of use to all those
interested in facilitating MBCT groups, particularly for those early on in
their development.” Mark A. Lau, PhD, Vancouver CBT Centre and clinical asso-
ciate professor of psychiatry, University of British Columbia
“Fascinating. Insightful. Powerful. Practical. Building Competence in Mindful-
ness-Based Cognitive Therapy is the perfect companion book for experienced
or neophyte clinicians who lead MBCT, or any structured mindfulness-based
group for that matter. As someone who has led hundreds of MBCT and
other mindfulness-based groups, I found myself constantly learning new
angles, areas of inquiry, and nuanced approaches. I commend Dr. Sears for not
only his bravery in putting forth transcripts of his group sessions but also for
his mindful approach that embodies wisdom, curiosity, and kindness, crucial
qualities for us to practice and express in mindfulness groups. I am confident
that those who give these chapters a careful reading, with a mindset toward
application, will find themselves more confident, comfortable, and socially
tuned in during their own mindfulness groups.” Ryan M. Niemiec, PsyD, psy-
chologist and author of Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practical Guide
to Flourishing, education director of the VIA Institute on Character
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Building Competence
in Mindfulness-Based
Cognitive Therapy
Transcripts and Insights for Working
With Stress, Anxiety, Depression,
and Other Problems
Richard W. Sears
Foreword by Zindel V. Segal
First published 2015
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FA
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2015 Richard W. Sears
The right of Richard W. Sears to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Sears, Richard W., 1969–
Building competence in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy : transcripts
and insights for working with stress, anxiety, depression, and other problems /
by Richard W. Sears. — 1 Edition.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. I. Title.
RC489.M55S42 2015
616.89'1425—dc23
2014033639
ISBN: 978-0-415-85724-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-415-85725-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-79829-4 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
To Carrie Mason-Sears, for her many years of love and
support
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Contents
Illustrations xi
Foreword by Zindel V. Segal xii
Acknowledgments xiv
1 Introduction 1
PART I
Building Competence 9
2 Personal and Professional Competence 11
3 Building Competence in the Methods 23
PART II
Session Transcripts 43
4 The Initial Session 45
5 Session 1: Awareness and Autopilot 63
6 Session 2: Living in Our Heads 79
7 Session 3: Gathering the Scattered Mind 97
8 Session 4: Recognizing Aversion 116
9 Session 5: Allowing/Letting Be 131
10 Session 6: Thoughts Are Not Facts 145
11 Session 7: Taking Care of Myself 161