Who will recognize my MBSR teacher training and certification?

Is it possible to have a program in the MBSR Teacher Training Pathway (Essentials, IPT, mentoring or certification) in another language? 

I started my MBSR Teacher Training with another institution. Can I continue with you? Do I need to start over?

Which offerings include trauma-informed mindfulness and training in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)?

If I need to miss one of the 9-day IPT sessions or Essentials seminars, are sessions recorded so that I can make this up? 

Are there any particular offerings that would be beneficial if I am not interested in teaching MBSR but do want to include mindfulness in the work I do?

What constitutes a “qualifying retreat”?

What does mentorship involve?

How do I find an MBSR Teacher Mentor?

What level of training do I need to say I am teaching MBSR?

What will be my access to the teachers in group courses? 

How much does the MBSR Teacher Training Pathway cost to complete?

Do you provide Continuing Education (CE) credits)?

MTTA is a member of the Global Mindfulness Collaborative (GMC) which is the certifying body. As such, certifications by the MTTA are recognized by each member of the GMC including its US members, for now: the MTTA and the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. All GMC members collaborate globally in offering rigorous MBSR teacher training adhering to recognized international standards of practice and grounded in fidelity to the foundational roots of MBSR. The GMC, originally brought together at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness (CFM) where Jon Kabat-Zinn developed MBSR, was set up to support and identify MBSR teacher training that can be recognized as “gold standard” throughout the world. MBSR teachers trained in the GMC training pathway continue to be recognized around the globe as having completed evidence-based training of breadth and width, steeped in the ethos and skillful practice of MBSR.  

Yes! The Global Mindfulness Collaborative (GMC) of which MTTA is a member, has these offerings with trainers of the same MBSR Teacher Trainer experience in Spanish (Mexico, Argentina, and Spain), French, Korean, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), German, , Swedish, Danish, Finnish, and Italian. All GMC member offerings are equally accepted in the certification process. 

If the institution is part of the the Global Mindfulness Collaborative, you can “mix and match” where you do your training among any of the members. In other cases would need to be individually reviewed. Please get in touch to ask us if your prior training qualified you to continue your journey with the MTTA. If you have completed some other kind of mindfulness teacher training, this will not qualify you to “skip” steps in the MBSR Teacher Training Pathway.

All courses and mentorship opportunities through MTTA include specific DEI and trauma-informed mindfulness training through didactics, materials, practice, and dialogue. 

Learning is interactive and participatory and each session is required to complete the Essentials and IPT so that the learning can be of maximum benefit. In cases of serious illness or a primary family member is seriously ill or dies, accommodations may or may not be possible and will be addressed on an individual basis.

Absolutely. In particular, Essentials and Individual Mentoring are tailored to participants' intentions to include mindfulness in their teaching or work setting whether that is schools, higher education, healthcare, community settings, corporate well-being, prisons, leadership training, coaching, yoga teaching, etc. You name it, if your work could benefit from integrating and sharing mindfulness (and what doesn’t?!), there is a mentor to support your intentions. MTTA has teachers with expertise in the fields of body work, psychology, research, education, and healthcare offering a diverse, collaborative approach.

Silent retreat is an integral, fundamental element of developing MBSR teachers in cultivating mindfulness, awareness, and compassion through experiential understanding. Criteria include:        

• Silent, led by an experienced mindfulness teacher in a well-established tradition. 

• Experiential learning and practice instructions aligned with the essential teachings found within Buddhist psychology including the 4 Noble Truths, 4 Foundations of Mindfulness, and Loving Kindness.
  At least one teacher-led individual or group interview.

• Two of the silent retreats included in the MBSR teacher certification pathway must be 5+ days in length; two of the retreats must be 7+ days in length. (A minimum of four retreats are required for certification).

• We acknowledge the value of in-person retreats as well as the accessibility of live online retreats both in support of public health and in creating greater access to those who may be challenged by finances or distance. While it is recommended that at least two of the retreats be in-person, in times of crisis, accommodations will be made. If the retreat is on-line, it needs to be “live” online and provide access to a teacher during the retreat. 

• Retreatants attending on-line retreats need to commit to a retreat environment dedicated to supporting silence and continuous practice. It is recommended that the retreatant communicate with a MTTA teacher trainer on supportive preparation and expectations including teacher interviews.  

For any questions as to whether or not a teacher or retreat fit this description, please contact the MTTA for clarification.

With Essentials and the IPT trainings complete, MBSR teaching can now begin. While one's intention to teach mindfulness has become much clearer, the practical and logistical questions of offering one’s first class can seem overwhelming.  This is where Mentorship can help.  These are just some of the questions that emerge when one is starting out:

• Finding a space (for the sessions and for the retreat)?

• In-person vs. virtual experiences?

• How should I advertise?

• How many people is enough?  Or too much? Should I teach friends?

• What should I charge? How do people pay for the course and what about special rates or payment plans?

• Do I make my own syllabus? Can I add items?  Is more better?  

• Electronic handouts?  What platform is best for communicating and sharing materials?

• Do I need to have students sign a waiver?

• How do I do the individual interviews?

• How do I make recordings and share them?

• What if I think someone is not right for the course?

• and more…

And then comes the real practice of stepping into the room in the role of teacher and embodying practice, holding the space and supporting everyone's journey over the next 8 weeks.  We are here to help, and Mentorship/Supervision is the way to feel supported in this new teaching role.

After you have taught a few cycles of MBSR, having a mentor guide you deeper into the curriculum and the practice is incredibly supportive.  This might involve: evaluating plans for upcoming trainings, reviewing recorded sessions afterwards, discussing your most challenging situations, getting support and feedback on your recordings and materials, refining your inquiry skills, spotting missed opportunities and harnessing your strengths.  Your mentor can also help direct you towards meaningful retreat opportunities or to trainings that might deepen and broaden your practice.  Mentoring is also a part of the process in preparation for Certification as a MBSR teacher.

Please reach out individually to any of the MTTA team to arrange a conversation about mentorship / supervision.  Scheduling, costs, and mutual expectations will be discussed.

After the successful completion of the Teacher Advancement Intensive (TAI), a teacher is qualified and encouraged to begin teaching MBSR. You can learn more about the MBSR Teacher Training Pathway and requisites here.

As with MBSR itself, MBSR teacher training values and meets the needs of the whole person. Whether in-person or online, all MTTA teachers are dedicated to providing availability when needed between sessions for individual needs.

The MTTA is committed to high-caliber teacher training through its experienced teachers at a cost that is as affordable as possible. In an effort to serve diverse needs, costs below reflect prices that are the lowest fees offered by Global Mindfulness Collaborative members in the US.

Retreat costs vary (there are four retreats minimum in the teacher training pathway). The MTTA will continue to be involved with the GMC in developing training elements that meet the evolving needs of MBSR teachers-in-training. A tuition support program for individuals in need is available. We also encourage BIPOC MBSR Teachers-in-Training to apply for the scholarship fund of our colleagues at Mindfulness Meditation Live.

Tuition Fees of the MTTA Programs:

• MBSR Essentials: $2200*

• MBSR Intensive Practice and Teaching (IPT): $2710*

• Group Practice and Teaching (GPT): $1525

• Individual Mentoring: $2000

• Certification Review: $1200

  *in the event that programs are residential, there may be travel and accommodation costs to add to tuition fees.

Other costs:

• Costs of retreats, including travel and accommodation. Retreats costs vary widely depending on the venue. Scholarships are often available. A minimum of four retreats are required for Certification. Be sure retreats are deemed “qualifying” for the MBSR Teaching Pathway before registering (see above). The MTTA faculty offer retreats on a regular basis, check our calendar.

We are not set up for this at this time, but we are looking into it. Please let us know what your needs are when you apply for one of our programs. Some of the organizations we partner with may be able to grant CE credits.