MBCT Austin

I took the Mindfulness-​Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) course about a year ago with Michele Hauser, MD, and Saundra Jain, PhD. They offered the first MBCT course in Austin, and I found out about it by searching the web after hearing a TED Talk about MBCT. It has been one of the best decisions I have made.
Previously I had tried meditation numerous times, but I could never get past the striving of trying to do it correctly. I had also spent many hours in therapy. When I learned about the Mindfulness-​Based Cognitive Therapy approach designed for people with depression and anxiety, I felt this might actually work for me.
The 2-​hour classes were very structured, the instructors were very supportive, there was a wonderful workbook, and we were given an audio series of guided meditations. Our daily homework was to practice mindfulness meditation and complete the workbook activities. This structure provided the foundation for me to incorporate this into my daily life, and I have continued the practice.
Looked at on a per-​hour basis, the 8 weeks of two-​hour sessions and a 6-​hour retreat is very affordable at $ 650 ($ 29.50/hour). In addition, graduates of the course have a gratis Monthly Graduate Meditation Group where we have the opportunity to meditate with others, share how our practice is going, and offer encouragement and ideas to each other.
Before starting this practice, self-​acceptance was a concept, another «should» that seemed unobtainable. Now, mindfulness for me is about heartfelt self-​acceptance and the possibility of acceptance radiating out to others.
Thank you, Michele and Saundra, for bringing this to Austin and sharing it with us, and thanks to the many people who helped develop this program.