Learn to facilitate Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)

Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) is an evidence-based scientifically tested and internationally-recognized mindfulness training program for cancer patients and their support network. It follows a 9-week, group-based training program. This MBCR training program is for healthcare professionals to learn to facilitate MBCR. This is the only specialized training program for MBCR facilitators, led by the program creators. Created by Dr. Linda Carlson and Dr. Michael Speca at the University of Calgary, MBCR has been running as a clinical program for over 20 years and served thousands of patients; now you can bring it home with you!
"There are now a number of mindfulness-based approaches developed specifically for people who have cancer and want to work with it in the ways we have been describing. One is the Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery Program, developed by Linda Carlson and Michael Speca of the Tom Baker Cancer Center at the University of Calgary. They have published a number of papers showing major improvements in patients with breast cancer and prostate cancer on a range of physiological and psychological measures as a result of their cancer-oriented MBSR program. These include a one-year follow-up study showing enhanced quality of life, decreased stress symptoms, altered cortisol and immune patterns consistent with less stress and less mood disturbance, and decreased blood pressure. " -Jon Kabat-Zinn

Participants will receive:

  • A total of 21 exclusive custom videos with Linda and Michael: ● 3 exclusive introductory videos describing the program background, prerequisites, approach, as well as discussion of how to undertake program evaluation and research. ● Recordings of 9 live clinical sessions with actual program participants led by Linda and Michael, with 9 accompanying introductory videos describing key features and practices for each of the 9 program sessions.

  • Key Program Materials: ● A 92-page participant workbook including the week-by-week MBCR curriculum, poetry, recommended mindfulness reading list and web resources. ● Access to a 90-minute recording of a research talk by Dr. Carlson, overviewing the MBCR research program from the beginning through to today.

  • Live monthly Q&A sessions with Linda and Michael for a year

  • A Certificate of Completion of MBCR Facilitator Training

Prerequisites

To get the most out of this training, we recommend you: 1. Are a health care provider with professional experience of patients who have serious illness (e.g. nursing, social work, psychology, medicine, pastoral care) 2. Have an ongoing personal practice of meditation 3. Have experience or familiarity with the Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) model (i.e. through personal participation in an Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program and/or formal professional training in MBSR or MBCT).

Testimonials

Feels Human and Alive

Shared with Permission

I found the course hugely useful in the way it combines the introduction overview of key teaching points, with the MBCR book, the sample of the course handout and the videos. Working between these resources I feel I have a good conceptual and practical understanding of how this course feels, how it lands with the clients, and how it connects to the research on mindfulness based practice. I also love the video zoom check-ins, a really valuable opportunity to ask questions and deepen understanding, feeling connected to you both makes this course feel human and alive.

Excellent Course

Shared with Permission

Excellent course, comprehensive, experiential, beautifully structured, supported with detailed and useful written and audio-visual resources. The depth of your expertise and experience is the most valuable asset of all. You both teach and guide the course beautifully.

Ability to see the whole process

Shared with Permission

Ability to see the whole process of how it was conducted and both online and onsite was a treat! The introduction videos were extremely helpful.

Thoroughly Recommended!

Shared with Permission

This is a very insightful course! Lots of information and resources in the manual, plus live footage of the weekly sessions - you gain a real sense of application, which in itself teaches you so much in terms of what to expect and how to deal with situations that can arise within sessions. The monthly check in sessions with Linda are also really great, and it's nice to see such a range of individuals doing the training, and have that sense of community...I'd thoroughly recommend this course!

Inspired by Commitment

Shared with Permission

As a potential MBCR teacher within the hearlthcare industry, I am deeply impressed and grateful for the incredible work of the creators and teachers of the MBCR course. Their dedication, expertise, and compassion shine through in every aspect of the program. I am inspired by their commitment to supporting individuals facing cancer with mindfulness-based practices that promote healing and resilience. I am honored to have had the opportunity to learn from their wisdom and to potentially join them in empowering others on their journey towards well-being.

Deeply Grateful

I am deeply grateful for your generosity and the impact it is having on both my personal and professional journey. Please know that your guidance has made a significant difference, and I am excited to start teaching mindfulness and compassion to those in need.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to MBCR Facilitator Training

    • Welcome to the MBCR Online Facilitator Training Program
  • 2

    Background Materials

    • MBCR Program Participant Handbook

    • MBCR Research Talk Video
  • 3

    Introductory Materials

    • How to Use This Program

    • Teaching Methods

    • Research/Evaluation
  • 4

    Session 1

    • Intro to Session 1

    • Session 1

    • Session 1 - With Subtitles
  • 5

    Session 2

    • Intro to Session 2

    • Session 2

    • Session 2 - With Subtitles
  • 6

    Session 3

    • Intro to Session 3

    • Session 3

    • Session 3 - With Subtitles
  • 7

    Session 4

    • Intro to Session 4

    • Session 4

    • Session 4 - With Subtitles
  • 8

    Session 5

    • Intro to Session 5

    • Session 5
  • 9

    Session 6

    • Intro to Session 6

    • Session 6
  • 10

    Session 7

    • Intro to Session 7

    • Session 7
  • 11

    Session 8

    • Intro to Session 8

    • Session 8
  • 12

    Session 9

    • Intro to Session 9

    • Session 9
  • 13

    Post-Course Survey

    • Post-Course Satisfaction Survey
  • 14

    Live Q&A Session Recordings

    • Schedule and joining instructions for monthly zoom Q&A session

    • January 27 2022 Q&A

    • Feb 24th 2022 Q&A

    • June 2022 Q&A

    • July 2022 Q&A

    • August 2022 Q&A

    • September 2022 Q&A

    • October 2022 Q&A

    • November 2022 Q&A

    • December 2022 Q&A

    • January 2023 Q&A

    • February 2023 Q&A

    • March 2023 Q&A

    • April 2023 Q&A

    • May 2023 Q&A

    • June 2023 Q&A

    • July 2023 Q&A

    • August 2023 Q&A

    • September 2023 Q&A

    • October 2023 Q&A

    • November 2023 Q&A

    • December 2023 Q&A

    • January 2024 Q&A

    • February 2024 Q&A

    • March 2024 Q&A

    • April 2024 Q&A

    • May 2024 Q&A

    • June 2024

    • July 2024

    • August 2024

Ready to sign up for MBCR Facilitator Training?

If the program is inaccessible to you at these rates, please contact us

FAQ

  • Who are the program creators?

    Dr. Linda Carlson, PhD, R.Psych., holds the Enbridge Research Chair in Psychosocial Oncology and is Full Professor in Psychosocial Oncology in the Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She is the Director of Research and works as a Clinical Psychologist at the Department of Psychosocial Resources at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Dr. Carlson's research in psychosocial oncology has been published in many high-impact journals and book chapters, and she has received many national and international awards for her work. She published a patient manual in 2010 with Michael Speca entitled: Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery: A step-by-step MBSR approach to help you cope with treatment and reclaim your life, in addition to a professional training manual in 2009 with Shauna Shapiro entitled The Art and Science of Mindfulness: Integrating mindfulness into psychology and the helping professions. She has published over 200 research papers and book chapters, holds several millions of dollars in grant funding and is regularly invited to present her work at international conferences.

  • Dr. Michael Speca, PsyD, R.Psych., is Adjunct Associate Professor in the Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. In addition to his research contributions and conference presentations, as a clinical psychologist at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, he counseled cancer patients and their families, facilitate. a range of group support programs, and cofounded the Centre's popular Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery program. He has received several awards for clinical excellence- twice from the Cumming School of Medicine’s Department of Oncology and also from the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology.

  • When does the program start?

    You can join anytime and work through the videos at your own pace. You will have access to the program for 12 months after signing up.

  • How will live Q&A sessions work?

    The live monthly Q&A sessions will occur on the third Thursday of each month, beginning January 27, 2022, at 9:00AM Mountain Time (Western Canada). All registered program participants will receive zoom links for the monthly sessions, and the recordings will be added to the platform each month if you cannot attend. You can send in questions beforehand, or just show up on the videoconference and ask them there.

  • How long can we join Q&A sessions for?

    Program attendees will be able to join the live Q&A sessions for an entire year after signing up for the program, and have access to all the recordings on the platform for that period of time.

  • Are the videos of professional production quality?

    The videos in this series were not professionally produced; rather, they were captured in the natural clinical environment. The introductions to each session and the background videos were recorded on zoom by Linda and Michael together, and feature natural conversation, sometimes guided by scripts. The videos of the real-life class sessions were filmed unscripted on a high quality video camera in-session, so the view of the facilitators and participants varies class to class. The sound quality is adequate to hear the conversations unless a participant spoke particularly softly.

  • Who can I contact for more information or with questions?

    You can email Linda Carlson at [email protected] with any questions.