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. 

The MBSR program is comprised of the 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.

The Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness 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. 

If you are interested in attending the Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness, but you are not ready to register for the class, please email [email protected] for information on how to join. Note that classes do tend to fill and develop a waitlist, so if you don't register for the full class, there may not be a space available for you. 

Fee: $395 
UCSF faculty, staff, and students are eligible for a $35 discount and will be charged $360. Email [email protected] before registering to receive the 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.

If you have any questions or need accommodation in order to participate, please contact [email protected] or 415-353-7718.

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

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

Register here

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

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

Register here

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