MBT therapies at Breathing Space

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for Depression
Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) for Addiction
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Breathworks for Chronic Pain

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for Depression

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was developed to provide a means of preventing relapse into depression, including for those who were initially treated with antidepressants. MBCT is recommended in the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for depression alongside CBT.

It is not suitable for someone who is currently depressed.

At Breathing Space, we provide MBCT as an eight-week course in 2½-hour sessions, enhanced by a daily coursework diary and CDs to use at home.

Results of research conducted in Toronto, Cambridge and Bangor, showed that MBCT was of greatest benefit to those who had suffered a number of episodes of depression. It substantially reduced the risk of relapse in those who had three or more previous episodes of depression (from 66% to 37%). These findings were replicated in a study in Cambridge. It found the same pattern of results, with MBCT reducing the rate of relapse from 78% in those with three episodes or more, to 36%. The Centre for Suicide Research at the University of Oxford is currently piloting the use of MBCT with people who have had a suicidal crisis, and now recovered, with the aim of reducing the risk of further self-harm.

Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) for Addiction

MBCT was adapted by Dr Paramabandhu Groves in 2005 to provide a 6 week course for people recovering from drug and alcohol problems: mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) as part of an aftercare programme to help people remain abstinent from drugs and alcohol. The three courses to date have been attended by a total of 42 people, 45% of whom were women.

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) for addiction uses the principles of MBCT for depression to help people who are recovering from addiction. It is suitable for people who are currently abstinent and want additional help to prevent relapsing into addictive behaviour. Meditation is used to help people become aware of high-risk situations, especially emotional triggers, and learn to deal with them more effectively.

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Many carers experience isolation and high levels of stress as a result of their caring responsibilities. Isolation is one of the prime factors in depression. Stress can also impact directly on both the physical and mental wellbeing of carers.

The LBC has been receiving funding from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets since 2004 for our work with carers. We run regular retreats for carers, providing them with a complete break from their caring responsibilities in the company of other carers. We introduce them to a range of skills and strategies that they can continue to use in their daily lives. Our retreats are reinforced with weekly drop-in sessions to help foster relaxation, support and friendship. We also do outreach work and have initiated a ‘carers involvement scheme’ in which carers help to run retreats and lead events.

We asked participants in our March 2007 retreat a range of questions about their experiences of the retreat. They were asked to answer these on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 for no and 10 for yes. The average scores for those questions were as follows:
“Did you feel well supported and welcomed by the London Buddhist Centre?” – 9.9
“Did the London Buddhist Centre explain what the retreat would provide and how you could continue?” – 9.5
“Did the retreat help you learn about how to manage stress and maintain your physical and mental well-being?” – 9.8
“Did the retreat give you an opportunity to make new friends and networks of people you can stay in touch with?” – 9.8
“Did the retreat give you the tools you need to reduce stress, isolation and anxiety in your daily life?” – 9.8

We now:
• manage our own referral process
• have a promotional video in which carers talk about how it feels to come to the LBC
• have recorded a CD of MBT for carers to use at home.

Breathworks for Chronic Pain

One in ten people suffer from some form of persistent pain. The Breathworks Pain and Stress Management Programme was initiated at the Manchester Buddhist Centre in 2001 with the aid of a Millennium Grant. It has been running successfully since then helping several hundred people effectively manage chronic pain and stress. Breathworks has been running events at the London Buddhist Centre from early 2006. The London Buddhist Centre is the first venue outside Manchester at which Breathworks has based activities.