Frequently Asked Questions about our MBSR courses
Unfortunately, only certain health professionals are able to be registered to offer a Medicare rebate. Many of our teachers - although they are probably among the most well-trained and skilled teachers in the country - are not able to do this. Do ask about discounts if it is financially impossible for you to afford the full fee and we will be happy to help.
We have a commitment to making the MBSR program accessible to as many people as possible, even when people can't afford the full fee. To this end, we offer strongly discounted places and payment plans.
There may be no difference. Check it out!
For over 30 years, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been the gold standard of teaching mindfulness in a secular setting for the relief of physical and psychological suffering. It is taught by people who have committed themselves to training, doing retreats and having a personal practice themselves, over many years.
However, many people are now offering “mindfulness” courses “based on MBSR” or “based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn” with very little personal experience and immersion in mindfulness practice themselves, and little or no training in MBSR. These courses are often shorter, perhaps 6 sessions of 1.5 hours (ie 9 hours long) or 6 sessions x 2 hours (12 hours long) for around $400. This works out as more expensive than the MBSR program which is 27 hours long, including a silent retreat day, plus email and phone contact with the teacher if you need it during the 8 weeks.
You might like to ask the teacher of these courses if they have specific training in teaching mindfulness, have completed retreats and if they adhere to the Good Practice guidelines.
This happens for lots of people over the eight week program.
In some locations, there are a few courses happening in any week, so you can arrange to attend one of the other locations for that week. If that is not possible in your area, the course book is quite detailed in terms of covering the material each week, and you will be able to keep practicing and arrange to check in with your teacher by phone or email about your process that week.
Missing the Day of Mindfulness is also sometimes inevitable. This day-long retreat is held every quarter, so you can always attend next time to make up this practice time.
This is an important question. You could ask if they:
All Openground teachers engage regularly in professional development, silent retreats and ongoing personal practice. The CFM and MTIA recommends a sequence for MBSR teacher training involving foundational training, initial teaching, supervision, advanced training and certification.
You might like to read this article from Rebecca Crane in the UK about standards and competency in teaching.
Many people come to MBSR because they specifically want a mindfulness training that is secular and has no particular spiritual orientation or beliefs attached
to the process.