Time Schedule:
Anil Coumar
SOC W 598
Seattle Campus
Integrates specialized knowledge in social work settings. Offered: AWSp.
Class description
Skill Lab: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
This course is based on the research of Drs. Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale and on the program detailed in their book Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression. This training program integrates tools of cognitive therapy with the practice and clinical application of mindfulness meditation. The heart of MBCT lies in helping patients learn to view thoughts as thoughts .events that arise in awareness and are not necessarily a reflection of reality. Through an interactive model, we will explore the actual application of mindfulness practices in working with clients. The curriculum integrates didactic, experiential and small group learning and includes daily meditations, yoga/mindful movement, and periods of silence. The content and curriculum of each MBCT class session is explored in detail, and descriptions of session themes, curricula, and samples of client handouts are provided.
Student learning goals
Develop knowledge and skills necessary to understand the 8-week MBCT course as described in the book – “Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression”.
Develop a personal meditation practice
General method of instruction
Class sessions will consist of a combination of lecture, discussion, viewing video, and occasional role-playing or demonstrations. Techniques that I may ask you to practice include cognitive exercises, completing events records, doing some mindfulness meditation exercises. The rationale for this is that you are likely to make more skillful use of these strategies with clients if you are familiar with what it’s like to do them yourself. However, as this is a class, and not psychotherapy, we will do these exercises for educational, rather than therapeutic, purposes. You will be able to tailor these exercises to fit your circumstances. When discussing your experiences with these exercises, you will be under no obligation to reveal personal information when you’d prefer not to.
Recommended preparation
Session 1: Jan 24: We will cover sessions 1-4 of the MBCT course. Session 2: Feb 7: MBCT Sessions 4-8 will be covered.
Please wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict your breathing.
Class assignments and grading
The skill lab is offered on a credit/no-credit basis only. The minimum performance level required for credit is based on course participation and/or assignments that encourage students to learn practice and demonstrate specific skills outlined in the course objectives and description. A student does not receive credit if the student does not meet the skill requirements. A student must attend both class sessions, on time, to receive credit. A grade of either Credit or No Credit is not computed in GPA.
