Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher Training Conversion Course

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Karen Atkinson

Co-Founder and Senior Partner

What is the MBSR Teacher Training Conversion Course?

If you are a qualified mindfulness teacher join this shorter conversion to MBSRTT course.

If you have trained to teach Mindfulness with another organisation, or completed our Integrated Mindfulness and Compassion Qualification you can join the  Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher Training Conversion Course and enjoy face-to-face teaching hours in our virtual classroom.

You need to have completed the 8-week MBSR course in a group setting, either in a virtual classroom or in a venue.  If you are yet to complete the MBSR then please click here to join our next course.  Please do not proceed with enrolment unless you have completed this course.

If you would like to know more about the MBSR Teacher Training, then please join the next 'Meet The Tutor' session, with Kate Elliott, where she will talk you through everything you need to know to make an informed choice about this training and answer any questions you have. 

Conversion to MBSRTT

  • For those with prior learning, including the IMC, continue your training with a conversion course.
  • Join a shortened course, and complete further mandatory requirements.
  • Become a listed and registered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher.

This course includes:

By recognising prior learning, the face-to-face training commitment is shorter, but the rest of the training pathway has the same additional elements as the full MBSRTT course.

Teach two supervised 8-week MBSR courses.

 - Deliver two courses with group, remotely supervised by one of the MindfulnessUK team.

Attend a Process of Inquiry Masterclass.

- Gain an understanding of the framework to guide inquiry and the Iceberg Model.

Attend Silent Meditation Retreats, totalling 5 days throughout the year.

 - Give yourself the time and space to explore, go deeper and rest.

Create a portfolio

- Evidence completion of all required elements of the pathway.

Log your personal practice and self-inquiry of the core MBSR meditations.

If you are having difficulty budgeting, we don't want you to let go of your dreams and aspirations to become a mindfulness and compassion teacher, and have the option to spread your payments over time. Please call us on 01823 697890 to arrange a helpful and manageable payment plan.

Meet the team

Karen Atkinson headshot

Karen Atkinson

Karen has been teaching mindfulness and compassion for over 30-years and is the Co-founder and CEO of MindfulnessUK, an author of Compassionate Mindful Inquiry in Therapeutic Practice, a previous Chair of BAMBA, an international trainer and supervisor.

Don't just take our word for it...

To help you decide whether this is the right course for you take a look at our frequently asked questions for more information.

Can I charge for a MBSR course I deliver under supervision and if so, how much?

Yes, you may charge participants for a mindfulness session as you will have completed the training via teaching sessions with MindfulnessUK.  It is your decision on how much you want to charge.  We would recommend that you research mindfulness sessions in your area and decide on a good price to charge.

I already have a supervisor that I work with, can I continue with them?

If you already have a supervisor then you can continue to work with them. However, for the 2 supervised courses that you teach as part of the training pathway you would need to be supervised by a MindfulnessUK supervisor, to ensure your teaching is consistent with our training. Supervisors refer to the MBI-TAC (Mindfulness-based intervention – Teaching Assessment Criteria).

Who is this course for, what can I do when I complete it and what are the required prerequisites?

This course is an accredited qualification and is for people who wish to develop and deliver their own Mindfulness and Compassion programmes for individuals or groups and who meet the prerequisites below.  All applicants must meet all three prerequisites:

  1. Completion of the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course or similar either live, with a teacher and as part of a group.
  2. A sustained and regular mindful meditation practice over a minimum of 6 months.
  3. Completion of a teacher training with Breathworks/teacher training organisation listed with BAMBA.

If you are unsure if you meet these or would like an informal chat please contact us at info@mindfulnessuk.com or call the office on 01823 697527.

How is the course structured and what study materials are provided?

There are less teaching sessions as this is a Conversion course, however this is a minimum of a one year teacher training pathway.

It consists of a blended learning approach of virtual classroom teaching sessions ( 21 hours ) within a group setting and self-directed study.  It is important that you attend all sessions (you can book a private catch up session if needed at a cost).

MindfulnessUK provides a student handbook, 4-core meditations, bonus e-Course electronically as well as comprehensive course notes in hard copy that we post to your home (if you reside within the UK and provide in a PDF to download if outside the UK).

The self-directed study comprises of the following elements that must be completed if the learner wishes to become a listed teacher with BAMBA (the * refers to additional cost – please see related FAQ):

*Teach two supervised 8-week MBSR courses – Deliver two courses to a group – remotely supervised by one of the MindfulnessUK team.

*Attend a Process of Inquiry Masterclass.

*Attend Silent Meditation Retreats totalling 5 days throughout the year.

Log your personal practice and self-inquiry of the core MBSR meditations.

Create a portfolio – Evidence of completion of all required elements of the pathway.

Overall it is estimated that self-directed study time is approx. 120 hours.

What if I have a question about my Self-Directed Study Assignments and/or preparation in between teaching sessions?

There is pre-reading and preparation to complete in between teaching session.

Each cohort is encouraged to have a WhatsApp group so learners often check in with each other and if in doubt contact the admin team or tutor to discuss, we are a friendly bunch at MindfulnessUK ?

What do I need to know about costs and payments?

The course cost on application is for all teaching sessions, course notes, meditations and handbook.

The Cost as a one-off payment is £920 and payment in full is due on application. There is no option for installments on this course.

Do contact us via info@mindfulnessuk.com if you have financial circumstances that prevent you applying and require installments – all requests are considered.

All Cancellation, Terms and Conditions on the website apply.

Additional elements costs – If you choose to complete the other elements of the pathway with MindfulnessUK here are the additional costs:

*Teach two supervised 8-week MBSR courses – Deliver two courses to a group – remotely supervised by one of the MindfulnessUK team. Costs are £280 for one supervised MBSR course as part of the MBSRTT. If you would like a MindfulnessUK supervisor to supervise both your MBSR courses as part of the teacher training, the cost will be reduced to £495, paid in advance.

*Attend a Process of Inquiry Masterclass (£90)

*Attend Silent Meditation Retreats totalling 5 days throughout the year. This is dependent on which options you choose from the website)

Log your personal practice and self-inquiry of the core MBSR meditations.

Create a portfolio – Evidence of completion of all required elements of the pathway.

All Cancellation, Terms and Conditions on the website apply.

Additional costs for all MBSRTT courses

There are 2 reading books we recommend, these are listed in your welcome letter and joining instructions, aren’t purchased via Mindfulness and cost approximately £25.

Please also see FAQ relating to additional costs for deferrals.

I regularly attend a retreat; can I continue with this retreat and will it count towards completing all the elements of this pathway?

As part of the training pathway the 5 retreats that you attend must be with MindfulnessUK to ensure you comply with BAMBA guidelines. We always encourage teachers to experience retreats outside of our organisation but it is important to note that these would not be counted as part of the pathway requirements.

How long is the course and when do I receive my certificate?

This is a minimum of a one year pathway commencing on the date of your first teaching session with MindfulnessUK.

There is no set timescale for completing all the elements of the pathway, it is flexible and designed to fit with other commitments.

Once learners complete all elements, they provide evidence as specified on the course to MindfulnessUK and at this point receive a certificate, receive a trained teacher logo and become listed on our trained teacher list on the MindfulnessUK website. At this point, if a learners wish to become a listed teacher with BAMBA they can apply via the BAMBA website and request the supporting documents from MindfulnessUK.

What happens if I miss any GLH’s session/ need to stop the course for any reason and need to defer or leave?

Missing a teaching session:

Learners must attend 100% of the teaching sessions and if any are missed they are required to attend a Tutorial session with their tutor at the additional cost of £70 per hour.

There is guidance for Absenteeism in the Student Handbook for learners to refer.

Deferrals:

If, due to unforeseen circumstances, learners need to pause their study (once the course has commenced) they have an option to request a deferral.  This needs to be requested within one week of missing a teaching session by emailing the admin team with a clear reason for your request.  After which learners must meet with a tutor within 4 weeks to identify and agree an individual plan for continuing with a clear timeline.

There are additional costs of £70 per hour if a learner requires catch up sessions with the tutor before re-joining their studies.

Deferrals to other courses are dependent on availability, a deferral fee and any additional registration fee applies as per the terms and conditions on the website.

Leaving the course:

If, due to unforeseen circumstances, learners decide to leave their studies, they must inform the admin team by email who will amend all records accordingly. 

All Cancellation Terms and Conditions on the website will apply.

Who can I teach once I graduate?

You graduate once you have completed all elements of this pathway and can then teach the 8-week MBSR to participants of your choice, whilst adhering to the BAMBA GPGs if you are a listed teacher.

What is the Community Membership and why is it important for all students and graduates to have this community?

We encourage all our mindfulness students and graduates to join our Community Membership and continue to connect with like-minded people and gain in-sight and knowledge from the MindfulnessUK team.  The community is owned by us all and is an opportunity to attend mindfulness-based business development training, take part in sitting groups, get access to updated course information, insightful research and collaborate with other trained teachers, as well as 10% off masterclasses and retreats.  To book please visit our Community Membership page on the website.

What are the BAMBA Good Practice Guidelines (GPG’s) and what do I need to do?

These are covered in the teaching sessions with detail and links given in our comprehensive course notes. The BAMBA Good Practice Guidelines for Mindfulness teachers, GPGs include things like, these include having appropriate insurance to teach, supervision, regular retreats, commitment to professional development. These GPG’s can be found at www.bamba.org

What other professional development opportunities are there, including retreats.

You can become a Compassionate Mindful Resilience (CMR) 4 session course Trainer by attending the CMR Train the Trainer Programme.

Other Continuous Professional Development opportunities are all listed on the website and include, Masterclasses, E-learning, 8 week MBSR and Retreats.

The GPG’s include attending 5 days of Retreat per annum, these can be completed as single days, 2 & 3 days or 5 days.  MindfunessUK offer a range, both online or in person. Full details on the website.

Online Courses Start in 2024

Before joining our next Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher Training course, you need to have completed the 8-week MBSR course in a group setting, either in a virtual classroom or in a venue, and have your own regular mindfulness practice for at least 6 months or more. If you are yet to complete the MBSR then please click here to join our next course.  Please do not proceed with enrolment unless you have completed this course.

If you would like to know more about the MBSR Teacher Training, then please join the next 'Meet The Tutor' session, with Kate Elliott, where she will talk you through everything you need to know to make an informed choice about this training and answer any questions you have. 

If you are having difficulty budgeting, we don't want you to let go of your dreams and aspirations to become a mindfulness and compassion teacher, and have the option to spread your payments over time. Please call us on 01823 697890 to arrange a helpful and manageable payment plan.

NOTE: Bookings close at 10am the day before the start date

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