Mindfulness eight-week course for SPFT staff: Thursday mornings
2 October at 09:30 to 11:30
This course will help improve wellbeing and give you tools to respond to the stresses and strains of everyday life. It has been developed for the general population, and is based on the original Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy course .
Overview
This course helps participants develop greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and experiences which in turn helps cultivate resilience and reduce low-mood and anxiety. It combines mindfulness practices and cognitive-behavioural techniques. There is increasing evidence that shows mindfulness is effective for reducing low-mood, and helping to improve wellbeing and resilience.
Who is it for?
This course has been adapted for members of the general public who are looking to improve their wellbeing and discover tools to help with the general stresses and strains of everyday life. Taking this course also counts as one of the requirements for joining our mindfulness teacher training, if this is something you may be interested in.
Please note, this course may not be suitable for everyone. If you are experiencing mental health issues, you should talk to your GP about being referred to the appropriate clinical service. Many NHS services now provide MBCT free of charge for people with mental health difficulties. You can find details on referrals and self-referral here.
When?
Thursday mornings from 9.30 to 11.30 starting on 9 October and running to 4 December 2025, (no session 30 October). The orientation session is on Thursday 2 October.
To get the benefits of this course it is helpful if you can attend all the sessions. If you cannot attend all the sessions (see above dates) then it may be better for you to wait for another course when you can.
Where?
Online. You will get Zoom log-in details when your place is confirmed.
The format of the course?
- Two-hour orientation session at the start to help you decide if the course is right for you
- Eight weekly two-hour classes including mindfulness practices, discussion and exercises
- Daily meditation home practice of between 20 to 40 minutes
The course involves mindfulness meditation practices of up to 30 minutes in each group session, and recommended daily home practice of between 20-40 minutes. These will be guided by the mindfulness teacher in each session, and via audio recordings for the home practice. Everything is optional, and you are encouraged only to do what feels safe and comfortable for you. The practices may involve lying down, sitting, walking and other forms of movement.
In the sessions, the mindfulness teacher will invite group members to share their experiences of practice. Again this is completely optional, and you are encouraged to share only what you are comfortable with. The sessions will include smaller-group discussions, typically with two to four people. If the class is online these discussions will be via break out rooms.
Facilitator
Bridgette O’Neill
Bridgette is a clinical psychologist by professional training and has taught mindfulness-based approaches in NHS mental health services for staff and clients since 2002. She is a senior lecturer, trainer, and supervisor with the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice and the Mindfulness Network as well as a trainer with the Sussex Mindfulness Centre. Bridgette has a particular interest in mindfulness and compassion-based approaches in relation to social and environmental challenges and is part of the author group of the paper ‘Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Our Time: A Curriculum that is up to the Task’.
How to book
Please fill in the application form here. We will be in touch once your place is confirmed.
