Lau

Woods

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Training

Jul 18 - 21, 2013

Presented by: Mark Lau, Susan Woods

• Professional Development
• Training

Join us for a four day certificate training for mental health professionals interested in an introduction to Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).  MBCT is an empirically validated group treatment program that is specifically designed to help individuals who have recovered from depression to avoid future relapse. This training will be an interactive learning experience combining didactic instruction with experiential exercises and personal practice to teach the key aspects of the MBCT program.

The focus of the MBCT program lies in familiarizing those suffering with depression with the thoughts and emotions that characterize the condition, and then through mindfulness training, develop a different relationship to them.  The practice of mindful awareness provides the opportunity to experience mild fluctuations in mood as normal.  This awareness facilitates the interruption of cycles of thoughts, emotions and behaviors that can otherwise spiral into clinical depression.  In particular, thoughts and emotions are seen as transient events rather than facts, thus promoting the ability to de-center and dis-identify from the narrative of depression, and to see oneself as whole rather than broken. The result is a more kindhearted self-observation which softens judgments about cognitive and psychological triggers.

You will learn:

• The link between the development of MBCT and a model of cognitive vulnerability to depression
• About the structure of MBCT and the core therapeutic tasks that accompany each of the group sessions
• Three forms of mindfulness training used in MBCT: the body scan; mindfulness of the breath, and 3-minute breathing space

Part of this training will include periods of silence in which you will have the opportunity to practice mindfulness.  A certificate of attendance will be provided.

Susan Woods, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and mindfulness-based psychotherapist in private practice.  She specializes in working with depression, anxiety and stress related conditions.  Ms. Woods is extensively trained in the clinical application of mindfulness-based approaches, teaches the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy programs and has been awarded MBSR teacher certification by the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.  Ms. Woods teaches professional training programs in MBCT, leads mindfulness-based professional training retreats and has presented on the clinical application of mindfulness at numerous conferences. She has been involved in MBCT clinical research projects, is on the advisory board of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness and Meditation and provides consultation and supervision in mindfulness-based approaches.  Ms. Woods is a published author, certified yoga instructor and has been practicing yoga and meditation since 1981.  slwoods.com

Mark A. Lau PhD, R Psych, is a registered clinical psychologist in private practice at the Vancouver CBT Centre in British Columbia. He specializes in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders and he provides consultation and supervision in both MBCT and CBT.  He is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia and a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.  Dr. Lau has over 16 years of experience teaching MBCT groups, conducting MBCT research, and leading MBCT single and multi-day professional trainings nationally and internationally.  Dr. Lau’s research interests include investigating the mechanisms underlying MBCT’s effectiveness, the development and validation of the Toronto Mindfulness Scale, and evaluating effective methods of disseminating MBCT and CBT.  He has published several articles and book chapters on MBCT and presented his findings at numerous conferences.  He is an Associate Editor of the journal Mindfulness.  He has been awarded the Scientist-Practitioner Award from the British Columbia Psychological Association and the Excellence in Continuing Mental Health Education Award from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto.   vancouvercbt.ca/dr_lau.html

TUITION: $750 CDN (meals & accommodation extra) / 3 nights