Relapse Prevention is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioural intervention model for the treatment of substance addiction and other addictions whose principles and methodologies are widely used by the community of this field’s experts.
Ser Integral has organized a top training program in Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) to be offered to the national and international community of professionals in this field. This will be the first training to accreditate professionals in the effective and innovative practice of Mindfulness in the fields of substance addiction and other addictions. The program integrates contributions from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Relapse Prevention, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, and Dr. Zindel Segal’s Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBRP was developed at the Addictive Behaviors Research Center - University of Washington – USA, by Dr. Alan G. Marlatt himself – Relapse Prevention intervention program’s original proponent.
MBRP (Bowen, Chawla and Marlatt, 2011) is a novel treatment approach developed at the Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington, for individuals in recovery from addictive behaviours. Although this model has been most robustly tested in substance misuse populations, the principles apply equally well to any behaviours with a compulsive element including: gambling, eating disorders, self-harm, aggression and compulsive sexual behaviours.
The program is designed to develop mindful awareness in individuals who have suffered from the addictive tendencies of the mind. MBRP practices are intended to foster increased awareness of triggers, destructive habitual patterns, and “automatic” reactions that seem to control many of our lives. The mindfulness practices in MBRP are designed to help us pause, observe present experience, and bring awareness to the range of choices before each of us in every moment. Ultimately, we are working towards freedom from deeply ingrained and sometimes catastrophic habits.
Similar to Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for depression, MBRP is designed as an aftercare program integrating mindfulness practices and principles with cognitive-behavioural relapse prevention. In our experience, MBRP is best suited to individuals who are not currently engaging in addictive behaviours, but who wish develop a lifestyle that supports their well-being and recovery from these.
There is good evidence that the MBRP model is successful at reducing both craving and substance use with improved outcomes compared to treatment as usual and other cognitive behavioural approaches (Bowen et al., 2014). MBRP has also been successfully adapted to other populations (Sancho et al., 2018).
Course Aim
To build on personal mindfulness experience and previous teacher training and support participants tod eliver the MBRP curriculum with an appreciation of the particularities of the course content and teaching style.
Course Objectives
Learning outcomes
Participants will:
PLEASE NOTE: Course will be taught in English.
TBC
Anshin Ashwood - An upbringing and early life that offered first-hand experience of substance misuse and poverty created personal challenges, but also the motivation to grow beyond these conditions and become a person who is able to support others.
I have worked therapeutically, as a trainer and leader in a range of addiction treatment settings for over twelve years. I was Program Leader and Lecturer in addictions counselling at the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies and the University of Bath and have become the primary Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention teacher trainer in the UK. I’ve been practicing mindfulness daily for the past 20 years. I received a first class Master’s Degree in Mindfulness Based Approaches from the University of Bangor and teach mindfulness to professionals and clients. I also organize and lead a number of meditation groups and retreats throughout the year, including working as a Buddhist Chaplain to the prison service for the past 10 years. For the past three years, I have worked as the Director at the Gaia House meditation retreat centre.
Publications
Key reference for the MBRP model and evidence base:
Nicky Mouat is a Mental Health Nurse with many years of working in both Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Treatment services in the UK and Australia. She trained as a Mindfulness teacher in 2015 (with Devin Ashwood and Sarah Bowen) and has enjoyed teaching MBRP in Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services in the UK since then. She is particularly interested in increasing access to mindfulness for those who would normally find that difficult
This course is taught over six days, the training offers participants an opportunity to appreciate the intentions and specifics of the MBRP programme in a nurturing and supportive environment that includes space for an appreciation of the links between personal practice and teaching. Students will develop and refine their teaching skills and explore the underpinning integration of scientifically tested approaches to addiction with ancient wisdom and meditation techniques.
We will practice in small and large groups, engaging in and leading mindfulness exercises before enquiring into them. Reflecting and feeding back on our work together will offer helpful support for our growing edges. Participants will have opportunities to practice teaching skills and to explore the experience of this.
The course is open both to experienced mindfulness-based teachers, and newer teachers who want to develop MBRP teaching skills. It is particularly suitable for clinicians implementing MBRP in substance misuse contexts, and is relevant to those who want to develop greater clarity about how to attune to and respond to participant vulnerability during mindfulness-based teaching.
If you are unsure whether the programme is suitable for you please contact the programme teacher devin1649@gmail.com)
SESSION 1: Welcome and Introduction to the training.
SESSION 2: Automatic Pilot & Mindful Awareness + A New Relationship to Discomfort
SESSION 3: From Reacting to Responding + Mindfulness in Challenging Situations
SESSION 4: Acceptance and Skillful Action + Seeing Thoughts as Thoughts
SESSION 5: Supporting & Sustaining Well-Being + Session 8 + Course Q&A
SESSION 6: SILENT RETREAT morning
SESSION 7: TEACHBACKS: Raisin Exercise, Body Scan, Walking down the street
SESSION 8: TEACHBACKS: Home Practice Review, Urge surfing, Sober, Walking Meditation
SESSION 9: TEACHBACKS: Movement, Sitting, Walking, Thoughts, Relapse Chain, Q&A
SESSION 10: Metta, theoretical underpinnings, Special interest Q&A.
SESSION 11: Special interest topics, personal practice, the nature of suffering, practice sharing. Closure.
** Participants are required to purchase and read the 2nd edition of the MBRP clinicians guide before beginning the training.
Registration fee: 50 euros + VAT (23%) = 61,50 euros
Tuition: 720 euros + VAT (23%) = 885,60 euros
*Payment by CC and Paypal adds the percentage fee for the transaction.
We are offering two 50 % Discount Scholarships for registrations from LOW GPD COUNTRIES
Please note that the crucial factor for the reduced Low GDP fee is not the country of origin but the country of residence.
The only countries eligible for the low GDP(Gross Domestic Product) reduction are:
Applications for the LOW GPD FEE are accepted until the 15th July 2024. You should send your application using the details below under - REGISTRATION - and please justify under the intention letter why you are requesting the Scholarship. We will evaluate all applications by 30th July and inform if your application for the Scholarship will be accepted.
The limit date for registration is the 1st September 2025 .
To register in the training:
Registration Professional Training in MBRP
Please send us the document confirming your payment. This value is not reembursable if you are not accepted in the training and it is not dedutable from the full tuition if you are accepted in the training.
Your application form will be received and we will produce an email confirming the reception of you registration. Confirmation of you acceptance in the training will be sent to you as soon as possible (around mid July maximum). Once accepted you should use the payment options below and send us an email with confirmation of payment:
Tuition Professional Training in MBRP
All participants that complete ALL sessions of the program will receive a certificate of attendance Ser Integral: Portuguese Center for Mindfulness. Participants are requestes to be present to all sessions since the beginning of the training until the last day.