I trained as a mindfulness-based teacher through Bangor University in 2005/6 and have been teaching 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction / Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBSR/MBCT) courses to the general public in Kent since 2006 in group settings and to individuals face-to-face and as a distance learning course. I also provide introductions to mindfulness for people with long-term mental illness. In 2017 I completed the training in Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) with Erik van den Brink and in MBCT-L (for life) and offer both courses in Kent.
I have been working as a Biodynamic Psychotherapist (UKCP reg.) since 2000, with individuals presenting with a wide range of difficulties and specialise in using one-to-one mindfulness informed approaches in clinical settings.
Since 2009 I have been engaged in supervising mindfulness teachers and offering mentoring for their mindfulness practice.
I have a special interest in expanding and deepening mindfulness practice beyond the 8-week course and so offer groups, practice days and retreats as on-going support and help in facing and working with life’s difficulties in greater awareness.
Qualifications
- Finding Peace in a Frantic World course, Oxford Mindfulness Centre
- MBCT-L Training workshop, NHS Health Education England
- MBCL Teacher Training, Erik van den Brink, Compassionate Wellbeing
- Supervisiors’ training, Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, University of Wales, Bangor (CMRP),
- MBSR/MBCT Teacher Training, (CMRP)
- Dip. Biodynamic Psychotherapy, London School of Biodynamic Psychotherapy
- MSc Food Chemistry, University Bonn, Germany
Teaching Training Specialisms
- MBSR/MBCT for general populations
- MBSR/MBCT one-to-one
- MBSR/MBCT distance learning
- Introductions to MBSR/MBCT for people with long-term mental health issues
- MBCL
- MBCT-L
- Post 8-week course support, training and retreats to deepen Mindfulness practice
- Supervision
- Personal Practice Mentoring
Supervision Experience
I have received supervision training through CMRP and have supervised mindfulness-based teachers privately since 2009, and since 2010 with CMRP and since 2015 with the Mindfulness Network. It covers those on the Masters programmes, MBI teachers starting to teach and those with experience and more recently also those teaching the MBCL course.
Supervision Specialisms
In addition to the supervision for teaching activities, I offer support and mentoring for personal mindfulness practice. For native speakers, supervision is available in German.
Personal Practice
Having an inquiring mind I explored various kinds of yoga, personal development, and learnt and taught Tai Chi Chuan in the 1980s. I was introduced to Zen Buddhist meditation in 1988 and in the early 1990s I pursued my Zen training for several years fulltime, living at Zen Centres in Europe and the US with my first teacher Genpo Roshi and then Genno Roshi of the Soto Zen tradition (White Plum Asangha), with whom I have been studying ever since in retreat settings and individual meetings.
When I took up mindfulness in 2005, I found that my mindfulness and Zen practice have stimulating effects on each other in my daily practice and in particular in working with pain and difficulties. The MBCL practices have become a steady source of nourishment and equanimity.
As most of my work is relational (teaching, supervising and client work) I find I benefit hugely from periods of solitude and going to retreats frequently in order to find a balance between giving and being nurtured. Another great help for balancing life’s challenges is my garden, simply being in nature and spending time in the company of good friends.
I lead a regular on-going Zen meditation group in Kent.
Research Activities and Interests
I am interested in research into the various applications and adaptations of MBSR/MBCT for different client groups.
Further Information
My website is: www.barbarahussong.co.uk
