Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

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 MBSR including decreased depression, pain, and distress, and increased attention, concentration, performance, and quality of life. 

Participation in an Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness is strongly encouraged for anyone enrolling in or considering enrolling in MBSR. The session consists of meeting the instructor and other participants; an introduction to what participation in the class entails; a talk about the impact of stress and mindfulness on health, the history of MBSR, and research on the MBSR model; and instruction in and practice of introductory mindfulness techniques.

The MBSR program is comprised of the free Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness, a 30-minute private interview with the instructor before the first class, 8 weekly sessions, and one daylong session on a Saturday or Sunday.

Fee:
$376 tuition + $19 for materials
$341 tuition + $19 for materials for UCSF faculty, staff, and students
Email [email protected] to receive the applicable discount 

Read our Transfer and Refund Policy here. 

Please note that you will need to individually purchase a copy of Full Catastrophe Living (Revised and Updated Edition, 2013) by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD. The book is available in hard copy, electronic, and audio formats from most public libraries and major booksellers. 

Due to program capacity, students can participate in up to three MBSR courses.

2021 Class Dates (all activities are online including the retreat):

June/July Wednesday Evenings, 7:00 – 9:30 pm (First and last class may be up to 3 hours)

• Orientation: May 26
• Class Dates: June 9 to July 28
• Retreat: Sunday, July 18, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm 
• Instructor: James Mitchell, PhD 

September/November Thursday Afternoons, 2:45 – 5:15 pm (First and last class may be up to 3 hours)

• Orientation: September 16
• Class Dates: September 30 to November 18
• Retreat: Sunday, November 7, 9:30 am – 4:30pm 
• Instructor: James Mitchell, PhD

October/November Tuesday Evenings, 6:00 – 8:30 pm (First and last class may be up to 3 hours)

• Orientation: September 28
• Class Dates: October 12 to November 30
• Retreat: Saturday, November 20 10:00 am – 5:00pm 
• Instructor: Nichole Proffitt

Should you need accommodation in order to apply to or participate in a program offered by the Osher Center, please contact the Osher Center clinic education coordinator at [email protected] or 415-353-7700.