MBRP – Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention

MBRP – Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention

MBRP is a structured relapse prevention program that integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive and behavioral strategies, promoting greater awareness of triggers, emotional regulation, and conscious choices, strengthening resilience and physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) (Bowen, Chawla & Marlatt, 2010) is an innovative therapeutic approach originally developed at the Addictive Behaviors Research Center, University of Washington, for individuals recovering from addictive behaviors.

MBRP is an 8-session, evidence-based program combining mindfulness meditation with cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention. MBRP helps participants increase awareness of triggers, habitual patterns, and automatic reactions that often dominate daily life. Its mindfulness practices encourage pausing, observing present experience, and recognizing the range of choices available in each moment. This awareness supports responding in ways that promote health and well-being, rather than reacting in ways that are harmful. The ultimate goal is freedom from deeply ingrained, often destructive patterns.

Modeled after Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for depression, MBRP integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention skills. It is especially suited for individuals who have completed initial treatment and seek to maintain their progress while cultivating a lifestyle that supports ongoing recovery and overall well-being.

Components of the Program

Components of the Program

The Key Components and Goals of MBRP include:

  • Awareness: Developing awareness of personal triggers, automatic thoughts, and physical sensations of cravings.

  • Acceptance: Fostering a nonjudgmental, compassionate approach to uncomfortable emotions and physical sensations.

  • Skillful Action: Learning to "surf" urges rather than react automatically to them.

  • Lifestyle Change: Integrating mindfulness into daily life to support long-term recovery and self-care. 

How It Differs from Traditional Treatment

While traditional relapse prevention focuses on identifying external triggers and avoiding them, MBRP emphasizes changing one's internal relationship to discomfort, building tolerance for cravings, and reducing the need to reactively use substances. 

MBRP is typically offered as an outpatient aftercare program for those who have completed primary addiction treatment.

  • Recognize triggers and automatic patterns that can lead to relapse or harmful behaviors.

  • Practice mindfulness to increase awareness of the present moment and observe thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment.

  • Develop conscious choices, learning to respond in healthy ways instead of reacting impulsively.

  • Integrate cognitive and behavioral relapse prevention strategies into daily life.

  • Maintain the gains from previous treatments, strengthening a lifestyle that supports recovery and overall well-being.

  • Foster self-care and emotional resilience, reducing the impact of stressful situations.

  • Greater awareness and presence in daily life, noticing thoughts, emotions, and sensations before reacting automatically. 
  • Ability to manage triggers and cravings, reducing relapses and harmful patterns. 
  • Enhanced emotional resilience, with improved stress and difficult emotion regulation. 
  • More conscious and healthy choices, promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 
  • Integration of mindfulness and relapse prevention techniques into daily life, strengthening recovery habits. 
  • Self-compassion and self-care, cultivating a kinder and more caring relationship with yourself.



  • Facing triggers and difficult emotions without reverting to old habits or avoidance strategies. 
  • Maintaining a daily mindfulness practice, especially when physical or emotional discomfort arises. 
  • Recognizing automatic thought and behavior patterns that often go unnoticed. 
  • Accepting moments of discomfort and frustration while learning new ways of responding. 
  • Integrating the tools learned into daily life, particularly in stressful or high-pressure situations.

Facilitated by

This program is facilitated by Carla Martins or Filipa Soares

Dr. Carla Martins – Psychologist specialized in Clinical and Health Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology, and Mindfulness- and Trauma-Based Therapeutic Interventions. Clinical Neuropsychologist and Certified Mindfulness Teacher (MBSR) for adults through the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School (USA), facilitating MBSR programs since 2007 and online MBSR programs since 2012. Certified MBCT teacher for clinical populations and MBCT for Life through the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, University of Oxford. Mindfulness teacher for adolescents and children since 2013 through Mindful Schools and Still Quiet Place (USA). Certified MBRP teacher and Mindfulness Supervisor. Trained in Polyvagal Theory (Polyvagal Institute and with Liana Netto at Ser Integral), Somatic Experiencing® at Brazilian Association for Trauma (Beginner & Intermediate), NARM (NeuroAffective Relational Model) at Ser Integral (in training), and Internal Family Systems at Internal Family System Portugal. Author of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Older Adults: Evidence for Practice and Diving into Being and Non-Being. (More information here)

Filipa Soares - Licenciada em Psicologia pela Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade do Porto, com vasta experiência em projetos de educação, mindfulness e investigação na humanização da formação de professores. Colabora desde 2015 com o Ser Integral, desenvolvendo programas de mindfulness para escolas, famílias e professores, bem como retiros e formações. 

Para mais informações visite a Filipa's page

Individuals: €320 | Grant amount for unemployed and financially disadvantaged individuals: €300

Companies: €320 + VAT

* Payment can be made in two installments (contact us for information)

Each program has a maximum of 12-14 participants. This limit is intended to guarantee personalized and individual support throughout the course, ensuring rigorous guidance in the practice and development of mindfulness techniques and their application in different aspects of daily life.

Participation in the MBRP – Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention program does not include a diploma, but we can issue a certificate of participation. If you wish to obtain the certificate of participation, you must request it at the end of the program and have completed 90% of the total program hours.

  • Cancellation up to 4 weeks before the program starts will result in a full refund minus bank transfer fees.
  • Cancellation after this deadline: no refund will be given (transfer to another edition/cohort may be possible; please contact us).
  • If Ser Integral needs to cancel the training, only the tuition fee will be fully refunded (travel or accommodation costs will not be covered).

© Copyright 2026 SerIntegral. All Rights Reserved | Developed by STBspace