Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Adapted from Jon Kabat-Zinn’s mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was initially developed in the 1990s to assist clients who were experiencing multiple depressive relapse. Since that time, it has been adapted to meet the needs of those experiencing anxiety, bipolar disorder, and some psychotic disorders. MBCT focuses on assisting clients in noticing the transient nature of thoughts and feelings and in being able to tolerate thoughts and feelings as they arise.

Historical Context

Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction after finding that it had success with depressed clients. MBCT draws heavily from Buddhist principles of mindfulness, as does mindfulness-based stress reduction, and from Aaron Beck’s cognitive therapy and group therapy principles.

Theoretical Underpinnings

MBCT blends two primary theories: (1) cognitive therapy and ...

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