How and where to learn mindfulness

Mindfulness is a great way to build mental strength, but which mindfulness journey is best-suited to you?

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on mind

There are many ways you can learn mindfulness – for example, you could try an introductory course. This type of option:

• can range from a one-day course to an eight-week course;
• is typically very structured and will go through basic concepts and exercises;
• may be tailored to particular groups, such as students, people serving in the military or people with a particular mental health diagnosis.

Some structured mindfulness therapy programmes have been developed to treat specific problems. The most well-established courses are:

• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression and anxiety.
• Mindfulness-based stress-reduction for general stress – this can also help you manage long-term health conditions.

In some cases the NHS recommends these treatments, as studies show that they can work well, but availability on the NHS varies across the country and waiting lists can be long.

Different courses may have slightly different structures, but in general they:

• are delivered by qualified practitioners;
• last for a fixed number of sessions, across a specific timeframe – typically a two-hour session, every week for eight weeks, although some courses may offer shorter introductory sessions;
• involve group work and group discussion, but you can usually contribute as much as you feel comfortable with;
• include a mixture of meditation and daily mindfulness exercises, which you’re asked to practise between sessions.

Some other types of talking therapies use mindfulness techniques, such as dialectical behaviour therapy.

How to find formal mindfulness courses

To find a formal mindfulness course near you, you can:

• arrange to talk to your GP;
• search via the online NHS service-finder;
• look in the private sector – but this will cost money.

One-to-one private sessions

For a fee, some mindfulness teachers offer one-to-one sessions through the private sector. Some therapists and counsellors also have mindfulness training and can integrate these techniques into their approach. One-to-one sessions may be expensive but they are more likely to be tailored to your particular situation, and won’t include group work.

How to find private sessions          

You can look for a qualified mindfulness teacher or therapist in your local area using the online search tool of the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches, which only lists qualified teachers.