FAQ: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

How can I see if this is the right class for me? 

We welcome you to identify an upcoming Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness date to meet the instructor, ask questions, and further learn if this class is a good fit. 

  1. Select the orientation date you are interested in attending by looking at the schedule on the registration page: https://reg126.imperisoft.com/UCSFOsher/Search/Registration.aspx

  1. Email [email protected] with your preferred orientation date.  

  1. We will provide you with the Zoom link as it gets closer to that orientation date. 

Is the MBSR program online or in-person? 

All MBSR courses (Orientation, Classes, Retreat) are held online via Zoom until further notice. To maintain group confidentiality, the orientation, classes, and retreat are not recorded. 

I'm trying to register online for the class but am experiencing issues. What do I do? 

  1. With the credentials you’ve created when setting up your new account, log into: https://reg126.imperisoft.com/UCSFOsher/Login/Registration.aspx  

  1. Select “Register” for your chosen class, and then select “Checkout” or click on the cart icon. 

  1. Scroll to the bottom of the page to review Terms of Use and check the box.  

Can I miss the Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness session?  

While we highly encourage all participants to attend the orientation session, if you must miss it, please inform the instructor.  Your instructor can get you caught up on what was covered during orientation during your one-on-one interview with your instructor. We will also provide you with a link to the video that is shown during the Orientation, by request. Please email [email protected] to receive the video recording. 

Is financial assistance available for MBSR? 

A Public-Classes scholarship may be available if you meet financial eligibility requirements for the Community Care Fund (CCF). For more information and to apply for CCF, please see: https://osher.ucsf.edu/CCF.  

To qualify for CCF, total yearly financial support and benefits from all sources cannot exceed:  

Persons supported 

Total Verifiable Income 

$38,640 

$52,260 

$65,880 

$79,500 

$93,120 

$106,740 

$120,360 

$133,980 

 *For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,540 for each additional person. 

Can you bill my insurance for MBSR? 

We can provide a receipt, upon request, that includes an itemized breakdown with instructor information, dates of the class, and amount paid. However, we do not bill insurance for MBSR and cannot provide NPIs, CPTs, diagnosis, procedure codes, or a superbill. Please contact your insurance provider directly to learn about coverage for a reimbursement.  

What is your refund policy? 

Refunds to another MBSR class are available up to 24 hours before Class 1 begins.

No credit or refund is available once Class 1 has begun; if you do not attend; are dissatisfied with the instructors’ presentation or content; or if you leave a program early for any reason. 

This policy ensures the sustainability of our MBSR classes. Please review the full policy before registering for a course: https://osher.ucsf.edu/public-classes/transfer-refund-policy.

Can I transfer to another MBSR course? 

A transfer to another UCSF Osher Center MBSR class is available up to 24 hours before Class 1 begins.

No transfer is available once Class 1 has begun; if you do not attend; are dissatisfied with the instructors’ presentation or content; or if you leave a program early for any reason.  

This policy ensures the sustainability of our MBSR classes. Please review the full policy before registering for a course: https://osher.ucsf.edu/public-classes/transfer-refund-policy

I’m having trouble accessing Box to view my audio files and workbook. What do I do? 

If you are first time Box user you will be prompted to create a free Box account to view the files. If you did not receive this email, please email [email protected] 

Box file access is linked to the email you provided during the registration process.  

  1. Prior to the start of class, you will receive an email directly from Box system with the subject line: “Osher Center Classes has invited you to collaborate on Box”. This can potentially end up in your “Spam” or “Other” folder so please check those folders as well. 

  1. Follow the instructions provided in this email to accept the Box folder invite 

  1. Create your free Box account.  

  1. To complete your account setup, you will be asked to verify your email address. 

How can I join the MBSR Alumni-drop in/sit?  

Osher Center MBSR program Alumni are invited to drop into the Online MBSR Alumni Sit led by Dr. James Mitchell via Zoom every Thursday (except holidays) from 5:45-6:45 pm PST.  

Click on this link to register for the free online Zoom Sit:  

https://ucsf.zoom.us/meeting/register/uJAqdO2orTsoceFC-QMlBq6x54SSJpQhsw 

Can I request to join a MBSR retreat?   

Yes, with the permission of the instructor, MBSR alumni are welcome to attend the all-day retreats of a different cohort.  

  1. Please take a look at our website schedule for MBSR retreats.  

  1. Email us at [email protected] to let us know which retreat you’d like to attend and we will contact the instructor of that retreat.  

  1. We will follow up with you and let you know if the instructor can accommodate your request based on maximum class size. 

Do you provide a discount for UC faculty, staff, and students? 

Yes, all University of California (UC) faculty, staff, and students are eligible for a $35 discount.  

  1. Create an enrollment account on the MBSR registration system.  

  1. Do not select a course or complete the checkout process.  

  1. Contact [email protected] from your UCSF.edu email account with your preferred dates and we will manually complete your registration and apply the discount. 

Do you provide a discount for MBSR alumni? 

Yes, anyone who has completed our UCSF Osher Center MBSR course is eligible for a $35 discount.  

To register, contact [email protected] with your preferred dates and we will manually complete your registration and apply the discount. 

Does the MBSR program offer CME/CE units (credits)? 

This program is created for the public and no professional experience is required to attend. As such, we can provide you with a certificate of completion for MBSR, but this course does not meet requirements for continuing education (CE) credits.  

Back to top