Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression

Abstract

In this chapter I will describe how Mark Williams, Zindel Segal, and I developed a novel, theory-driven, psychological intervention to reduce relapse in recurrent major depression. The intervention, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) incorporates, as a central component, mindfulness training. We drew heavily on the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and his colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center (Kabat-Zinn 1990). MBSR incorporates aspects of traditional Buddhist mindfulness meditation practices (e.g. Nyanoponika Thera 1962) into a highly structured eight-week program. The MBSR program was designed to be accessible to patients in a general hospital setting who had no previous interest or experience in meditation, and who were suffering a range of medical disorders.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

• State of the evidence: Depression ?Unclear

  Describes the development of MBCT, a theory-driven psychological intervention incorporating mindfulness training to reduce relapse in recurrent major depression.

  Synthesized October 19, 2026

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on depression, most cited first.