MBSR: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

8-week online course  at UCSF

Course dates ongoing

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an eight-week program that introduces mindfulness practices in the form of sitting meditation, body awareness, and mindful movement, modeled by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD.  This program can help if stress is having a negative impact on your life, if you are experiencing chronic physical or mental distress, or if you are simply interested in learning ways to maintain health and well-being. Over 6,000 research papers have published findings on the benefits of practicing MBSR including decreased anxiety, depression, pain, and distress, and increased attention, concentration, performance, and quality of life. Recent studies have found that an 8-week MBSR course had comparable effectiveness to a first-line medication for patients with anxiety disorders (JAMA, 2022)

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Course Summary

Each MBSR course includes: 

  • An orientation 

  • 8 weekly sessions 

  • One daylong retreat on a Saturday or Sunday 

  • A 30-minute private interview with the instructor before the first class

A unique and essential aspect of the UCSF Osher Center MBSR program is a thirty-minute private interview with the instructor before the first class. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the program’s suitability for any personal circumstances. One may also provide information about their health, challenges, and aspirations that one would like the instructor to know so that they can best support one’s well-being.

The orientation session consists of meeting the instructor and participants, an introduction to what participation in the class entails, history and research on the MBSR model, and instruction and practice of mindfulness techniques. 

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Upcoming COurse DAtes

June-July Tuesday Evenings, 6:00-8:30 pm PT

  • Orientation: June 2

  • Class Dates: June 9–July 28

  • Retreat: Saturday, July 18

  • Instructor: Nichole Proffitt

  • Registration is open

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FAQs

What is MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)?

1

MBSR is an evidence-based 8-week program developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn that teaches mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and gentle movement to reduce stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and emotional reactivity. It is one of the most researched mindfulness programs in the world and is offered at leading medical centers including UCSF.

Is MBSR effective for anxiety and trauma?

2

Yes. Decades of research show that MBSR significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Participants report improved emotional regulation, better sleep, reduced chronic pain, and greater resilience. A study with veterans found 49% reported dramatic PTSD symptom reduction after MBSR.