Mindfulness-integrated CBT Residential Retreat

One of the major differences between standard Western therapy approaches and Mindfulness-based therapies that require the practice of mindfulness meditation is the involvement of changes in the brain.

Research has reliably shown that the skilled practice of mindfulness meditation produces neuroplasticity in areas of the brain associated with the ability to increase attention and concentration, decrease distractibility, increase self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-control, increase cognitive flexibility and emotion regulation, and increase the capacity to be compassionate  However, there are limited opportunities for professionals to immerse themselves into an intensive residential course that enables the rapid production of neuroplasticity and deepening of mindfulness skills. This course will provide an ideal opportunity for professionals who have already attended training in MiCBT to deepen their meditation skills. It is also an opportunity to learn variations of mindfulness and CBT integration to address complex cases, with an emphasis on addiction and trauma.

This advanced 5-day retreat will involve learning material through various modalities, including guided practice of mindfulness meditation using advanced body-scanning skills, group discussion of complex cases, with a focus on trauma and addiction, and group training in case conceptualisation and MiCBT treatment planning for clients with symptoms of trauma or addiction.

Day 1 

12:30pm-1:00pm 1:00-2:00  2:00-3:00  3:00-4:00  4:00-4:30 4:30-6:00  6:00-7:00 7:00-7:30  7:30-9:30

Registration Lunch (non-silent)  Introduction to the course  Sitting meditation (with breaks)  Afternoon break  Discussion and applied meditation  Dinner  Rest (or exercise on your own)  Sitting meditation (with breaks)

Day 2 - Day 5

7:00am-8:00am 8:00-9:00 9:00-10:30  10:30-11:00 11:00-12:30   12:30pm-1:30pm 1:30-2:00  2:00-3:30   3:30-4:00 4:00-6:00  6:00-7:00 7:00-7:30  7:30-9:30

Sitting meditation (with break) Breakfast  Master class and clarification of meditation  Morning break  Master class, group work, applied meditation  Lunch and rest (or exercise on your own) Sitting meditation  Master class, group work, applied meditation  Afternoon break  Master class, group work, applied meditation  Dinner  Rest (or exercise on your own)  Sitting meditation (with breaks)

Day 6 

7:00am-8:00am   8:00-9:00 9:00-10:30  10:30-11:00 11:00-12:30   12:30pm-1:30pm

Sitting, walking and Loving Kindness meditations  Breakfast Master class, group work, applied meditation  Morning break  Conclusion, future directions (ethics & practice)  Lunch (non-silent)

This  retreat integrates ethical principles of traditional Buddhist retreats. For example, to enhance your personal gain in this course, silence of speech, body and mind (i.e., “Noble silence”) must be kept at all times between 9:30 pm and 9:00 am, as well as during all rest, meal and break periods (with exception of lunch on first and last day). You are welcome to speak to the teacher about private matters in private during breaks. During communication periods (6 hours/day), participants abstain from using offensive or misleading speech and (Buddhist) “right speech” is cultivated. NOTE: “applied meditation” means uninterrupted practice of experiential awareness and equanimity in all activities (e.g., eating, washing, etc.).

If the retreat is full, please join the waiting list and we will contact you if a place becomes available.