Training Pathway in Brief
Learning Intentions
- Working towards embodiment of mindfulness in terms of aliveness, sensitivity to self and others, empathic attunement, groundedness, equanimity, authenticity, curiosity and non-identification
- Acquiring knowledge and understanding of the structure and methods of mindfulness interventions
- Investigating and appreciating the different kinds of mindfulness meditation practices and their rationales
- Cultivating teaching skills in the areas of didactic presentations, leading practices, inquiry and group process
- Developing analytical and critical skills in evaluating applications of mindfulness in different contexts from both theoretical and practical perspectives
- Applying knowledge to new situations and thinking critically and independently in the provision of courses (including ethical decision-making, boundaries, and the teacher's role)
- Developing self-reflective capacities about personal teaching skills and knowledge including clarity about emerging levels of proficiency
The training pathway may be undertaken with some flexibility by students within their own time frame. The training is divided into two stages;
LEVEL I: Mindfulness Foundations and Development
This program offers an experiential and theoretical grounding in mindfulness for those who are working in the helping professions and are interested in incorporating mindfulness in their work as coaches, teachers, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, researchers and group facilitators. It will provide a solid base on which to bring secular mindfulness practice into these contexts in a way which is skillful, ethical and relevant. (It will also provide a strong base for those wishing to go on to Level II of the program). Level I will cover:
- The rationale for how mindfulness works for a range of mental and physical health conditions including pain, stress, anxiety, depression and trauma
- Practical exploration of how to work skilfully with the sensations, emotions and thoughts that arise in practice.
- Skills in leading mindfulness practices (body scan, awareness of breath, sounds, thoughts and feeling, open awareness, kindness and compassion, approaching the difficult, movement practice)
- Inquiry skills (including empathy, reflection, salience and context)
- Relational skills including empathy, warmth, authenticity and potency, curiosity and respect and mutuality
- Embodiment as a teacher including presence, vitality and calmness, acceptance and present moment responsiveness
- Understanding of group process
- Refining and deepening one’s own meditation practice
LEVEL II: MBP Teaching, Supervision and Certification
This program is for those who have completed the Level I training and who wish to specifically teach MBSR and MBCT. It involves a deeper immersion into the development of a professional teaching practice including emphasis on context, assessment, curriculum, inquiry, group process, embodiment and authenticity.
- Beginning to teach MBSR or MBCT eight week courses
- Supervision of teaching work (using process notes, audio and video)
- Attending ongoing silent teacher-led mindfulness meditation retreat (6 - 10 days)
- Assessment of teaching skills (using the Mindfulness Based Interventions Teacher Assessment of Competence (MBI-TAC)
- Registration and or Certification as a qualified MBP teacher on the MTI website.
Read more about the Level II training here.
