What is MBCT?

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) courses combine Mindfulness practices with cognitive behavioural strategies. It has been proven to support wellbeing, reduce and prevent symptoms of depression, as well as helping to manage stress and anxiety.

MBCT at City & Hackney Talking Therapies is an 8-week group course designed to help you live more in the present moment, becoming more aware of your thoughts and emotions, relating to them kindness. This can help to step out of unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns, respond to life’s challenges with greater awareness and help develop resilience. It has been shown to be particularly effective for people who experience recurrent or long-term depression and, can also be helpful for those with mild to moderate depression.

Many of us find ourselves worrying about the future or replaying past events over and over. This cycle of worry and rumination can be exhausting and can deepen feelings of low mood or stress. Even when we try to stop, it often feels like our mind has a mind of its own.

Mindfulness offers a different approach. It can help you:

1. Notice when you’re caught up in unhelpful thoughts
2. Let those thoughts go and gently return your attention to the present moment
3. Treat yourself and your experiences with more kindness and acceptance

If you would like to learn more about our MBCT group, please watch this short video from a recent participant.

What can I expect?

The MBCT group course runs over 8 weekly sessions, each lasting 2 hours. In each session, you’ll be introduced to both formal and informal mindfulness practices, and you’ll receive audio recordings to support your home practice.

We usually begin each session with a guided mindfulness practice, focusing on our present moment experience – tuning into the body, thoughts, and feelings with curiosity. Afterwards, we have a group discussion to share experiences from the practice. In each session there are further teachings and group discussions on themes relating to depression such as negative thoughts and relapse prevention.

The groups are small and friendly, with between 8 and 12 participants. You’ll never be asked to share more than you’re comfortable with. A key part of the course is home practice, between 30-40 minutes a day, which is where much of the learning and benefit happens. We ask you to consider whether you are able to make this commitment over the 8 weeks.

How to refer:

If you are interested, please refer yourself using the refer button below. The next step will be for us to complete an initial assessment with you to determine if Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy is the best option and consider the most suitable treatment alternatives where needed.

Patient Area for Mindfulness – access with a login code.

MBCT group patient testimonials

“I would definitely recommend MBCT as an option that everyone should at least try. I have come away genuinely believing that I will be able to tackle my depression differently, and more effectively. It’s important to understand different ways you can interact with your depression – so that you can deploy these at the right time.”

“I’m more kind and accepting of myself – enjoying more of where I am rather than feeling bad about where I’m not. A set of tools that I feel I can take with me and use throughout my life. Courage to turn towards my emotions rather than avoiding them and also approaching them with curiosity. More comfortable with sharing my experience with others, having practiced it in the group. A noticeable impact on my day to day, these have been filled more laughter and happier moments. Learning to slow down”