Pilot Study of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Trainee Clinical Psychologists
Katharine A. Rimes, Janet Wingrove
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy December 13, 2010 DOI: 10.1017/s1352465810000731 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post observational study Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Trainee clinical psychologists |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) modified for stress |
| Duration | 8-week course |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 114 |
| Key findings | MBCT reduced rumination and increased self-compassion and mindfulness among trainees. More home practice was associated with greater improvements in stress, anxiety, rumination, and empathic concern. Only first-year trainees showed a significant decrease in stress. Most participants reported increased acceptance, client understanding, and awareness, with 85% noting an impact on their clinical work. |
Abstract
Background: It is recommended that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) instructors should undertake MBCT themselves before teaching others.
Aim: To investigate the impact of MBCT (modified for stress not depression) on trainee clinical psychologists.
Method: Twenty trainees completed questionnaires pre- and post-MBCT.
Results: There was a significant decrease in rumination, and increases in self-compassion and mindfulness. More frequent home practice was associated with larger decreases in stress, anxiety and rumination, and larger increases in empathic concern. Only first-year trainees showed a significant decrease in stress. Content analysis of written responses indicated that the most commonly reported effects were increased acceptance of thoughts/feelings (70%), increased understanding of what it is like to be a client (60%), greater awareness of thoughts/feelings/behaviours/bodily sensations (55%) and increased understanding of oneself and one's patterns of responding (55%). Participants reported increased metacognitive awareness and decentring in relation to negative thoughts. Eighty-five percent reported an impact on their clinical work by the end of the course.
Conclusions: Trainee psychologists undergoing MBCT experienced many of the psychological processes/effects that they may eventually be helping to cultivate in clients using mindfulness interventions, and also benefits in their general clinical work.