Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Mental Health Therapy
Program Format
To Register for MBSR

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program uses intentional, present-moment awareness to help you experience whatever is happening in your life as it unfolds with curiosity, non-judging attention and compassion for yourself and others.

Engaging with your life in this manner helps you become more skillful and creative in our responses, while gaining insight into how to free ourselves from habitual patterns of reacting such as anxiously anticipating the future, chronically focusing on the past or just going through the motions of living, missing what is actually occurring right now.

This kind of awareness, cultivated by the practice of mindfulness meditation, enables us to wake up to the pleasures in our lives and enhances our ability to tap into our wisdom and internal resources in difficult times.

The practice of mindfulness is accessible, universal and can be practically integrated into your everyday life

The program can be a complement to current medical care as well as promotion of health and well-being.

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program consists of a required group informational session prior to registering; eight weekly sessions of two hours each; one all-day session (9 a.m-3 p.m.); and 45-60 minutes of daily practice between classes. Registration information.

The fee of $400* includes:

• One hour group informational session prior to registering
• 23 hours of instruction
• Two-CD set of guided meditation and yoga/mindful movement practices
• Readings, hand-outs and other materials to support your practice of mindfulness
• Invitation to participate in “graduate” classes for on-going support upon completion of the eight-week program
• Invitation to participate in all-day sessions of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction groups in the future

Fees may be paid with cash, check or credit card at the informational session.

A small scholarship fund is available for people who are highly motivated to participate in the program, committed to attending each class and doing the daily practices, but do not have the resources to pay the full fee.

*UI employees may be eligible for 75 percent tuition support through UI Wellness. Employees with flexible spending accounts as part of their health care benefits may also submit MBSR tuition for reimbursement. If your UI health care acount covers your partner and/or family, the fee for their participation in MBSR may also be submitted for reimbursement if they have a doctor's referral to MBSR. Link to MBSR registration information.

Follow-up groups are offered to people who complete the eight -week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction program. These graduate groups are intended to support participants in continuing and deepening their mindfulness practice and integrating it into daily living.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a clinically proven treatment for the prevention of depression relapse. People with a history of multiple episodes of depression learn to integrate mindfulness-based meditation practices with cognitive-behavioral therapy as a means to relate more effectively to thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations that contribute to depressive relapse.

The format and structure are similar to the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program—weekly sessions for eight weeks, one day-long session, daily practices at home.

Costs are covered by most insurance providers with mental health coverage that includes group therapy.

People may self-refer or be referred by health care providers. An individual intake session is required with one of the therapists that facilitate the group. Email mindfulness@uiowa.edu or call Bev Klug, 319-384-7553.

Participants must have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, recurrent, and be in at least partial remission.

Follow-up groups are offered to people who complete the Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy program. These graduate groups are intended to support participants in continuing and deepening their mindfulness practice and integrating it into daily living.