Join us in our mission of integrating mindfulness-based programming with healthcare.
The Mindful Behavior Change (MBC) Group Leader Training is the first step on the pathway toward MBC Group Leader Certification, introducing the foundational skills needed to deliver our 8-week Mindful Behavior Change program. The MBC Group Leader Training, described below, can also be taken on its own to gain basic skills in leading mindfulness groups and develop an understanding of how these groups can be integrated into clinical or general public settings. Most people who benefit from this training are healthcare providers and mindfulness or contemplative practice instructors. Continuing education credits are available for some professions.
Mindful Behavior Change - Group Leader Training is a 5-day experiential program with a mix of didactic, individual, and small group exercises designed to help attendees learn basic skills for leading mindfulness groups in clinical or community settings. This program introduces the foundation to deliver our 8-week Mindful Behavior Change (MBC) course, formerly known as Mindfulness Training for Living Well, a trauma-informed, therapeutic mindfulness-based intervention. The MBC course is the basis for our extensive Mindfulness Training for Primary Care (MTPC) research studies. Learn more about the creation of this program here and our research results here.
Next MBC-GL Training :
We will update this page when dates for the next program are announced
*Formerly known as MTPC GLT: read more here about the change
Prerequisite
Applicants must have the following:
At least 6 months of a personal mindfulness practice.
Taken at least one 8-week mindfulness based program such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Training for Living Well (MTLW) or under the new name, Mindful Behavior Change (MBC), or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
Testimonials
“The most important thing I learned in this training is that it is possible to apply the wisdom of an ancient tradition in a secular and evidence-based program.” - Psychiatrist and Researcher
"The MBC Group Leader program has been incredible and transformative for me. All of the training and mentorship have been very helpful. This program is such a great addition to the primary care practice, as it provides a true space for patients to come together, learn important skills to live well and heal in a way that most other programs do not allow for. Patients also love being able to spend more time with their primary care doctors in a very different capacity from what they are used to." - M.S., Boston-area primary care doctor
”In the busyness of appointments and the hurriedness of everyday life, there is nothing more special to me than the opportunity to participate in the MBC program.” - Social Worker, Cambridge Health Alliance
About MBC
MBC was developed by CMC, within the Cambridge Health Alliance hospital system as part of the Department of Psychiatry, to be broadly accessible as an insurance-reimbursable mindfulness program. MBC is effective in helping primary care patients with anxiety, depression, and stress as well as those who are coping with chronic illness to increase their capacity for health behavior change, self-compassion, body awareness, and emotion regulation. This group leader training will offer instruction on how to lead the MBC program in primary care and community settings, and is appropriate for professionals in healthcare, community health, education, mindfulness research, mindfulness intervention, and leadership fields.
The MBC program has been adapted and delivered in primary care, mental health, addictions, diverse community-based settings, including Spanish and Portuguese linguistic and cultural adaptations.
Following completion of this 5-day training and additional online self-paced content, you can take the next step toward MBC Group Leader Certification. This pathway includes mentorship and guidance for implementation into your specific healthcare setting. You’ll gain the experience and skills needed to confidently lead MBC groups on your own, especially within a clinical setting with these groups qualifying for insurance reimbursement.
MBC Group Leader Training Curriculum (32 hours)
Learn and start leading primary practices of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI), including Body Scan, Mindfulness of Breath, (Sitting) Meditation, Mindful Walking, Mindful Eating, and Mindful Movement. Learn additional MBC-specific practices and exercises including core values, behavior change, and autopilot awareness, as well as informal practices such as STOP ACHE GO.
Introduction: core competencies of group leadership including attitudinal components of trauma-sensitive leadership (embodiment of mindfulness, non-judgment, curiosity, present-moment awareness)
Partner leading: the process of giving and receiving feedback
Introduction: principles of the inquiry process
Importance of cultural humility and trauma awareness for group leaders
Screening, patient orientation, eliciting commitment to practice
Logistic considerations of MBIs in primary care and mental health care settings, referral process, clinical indications, screening, electronic medical record note-writing, as well as billing and health-system implementation case studies
Pacing and organization of session curricula and the half- and full-day silent day of practice
Holding a group learning environment and principles of being an MBC group leader
Additional Details
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Early Bird: $1,295 - for applications received before August 15th, 2025
$995: CHA Staff rate, student rate, and BIPOC rate. Please indicate this status applies to you on your application.
Regular Rate: $1,795 - for applications received after August 15th and before October 20, 2025
$995: CHA Staff rate, student rate, and BIPOC rate. Please indicate this status applies to you on your application.
Late Registration: $1,895 - for applications received on October 20 or later. Applications will close on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 5pm.
$995: CHA Staff rate, student rate, and BIPOC rate. Please indicate this status applies to you on your application.
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Full refund will be issued, minus a $100 processing fee, for cancellations made up to two weeks before the start date of the training or course. A 50% refund will be issued for cancellation in the period between two weeks and two working days before the start of the training or course. No refund is available if cancellation is within 2 working days before the start of the course or training or once program training materials are received.
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A limited number of 50% scholarships are available for the general community.
A limited number of 50% scholarships are available for Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) staff.
To be considered for a scholarship, please: complete the program application form and indicate your scholarship request within that form.
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Learn more here about becoming certified to lead MBC groups on your own.
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Please see below for publications outlining the process of insurance billing and healthcare implementation.
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Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program offers 30.5 continuing education credits.
Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This program offers 30.5 continuing education credits and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 30.5 credits.
This program has been approved for 30.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization #D 10592. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This program offers 30.5 contact hours.
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Define Mindful Behavior Change
Identify 2 benefits of Mindful Behavior Change
Describe why MBC was formed and the major research supporting it
Connect with their own reasons for wanting to teach MBC in their practice
Define the concept of Autopilot
Describe why Autopilot relates to behavior change
Describe what occurs during autopilot, practice explaining autopilot in small groups
Explain how autopilot, perception and interpretation connect
List 4 common factors of healing in groups
Describe the meaning of “Window of Tolerance” in the context of working with people who have experienced trauma
Identify the 6 principles of Trauma Informed Care (TIC)
Identify possible signs of trauma-related responses (e.g., hyper/hypoarousal, intrusive symptoms)
Develop concrete skills and strategies for delivering TIC (offering group guidelines, options for opening eyes, applying the brakes, knowing when to step out of a practice)
Explain how cultural humility relates to trauma-informed care
Explain the concepts of perception and interpretation as they relate to Friend Walking Down the Street
Demonstrate leading portions of a mindful eating practice and “Mindfulness of Sounds, Touch Points, and Breath”
Describe the benefits of a half-day practice session
Describe the features of mindfulness inquiry in 3 Levels
Describe the main key points of leading the body scan and the purpose of the body scan inquiry
Explain why the mindfulness of practice “sitting with discomfort” can benefit clinical issues for patients
Discuss the physiological impacts of stress and practice leading mindfulness group exercises
Describe the main benefits of being aware of the valence of experience (pleasant/unpleasant/neutral) and the Diamond of Experience
Describe two features of compassion and self-compassion practice
Demonstrate leading portions of compassion and self-compassion practices
Describe how mindfulness principles such as urge-surfing and self-compassion can facilitate behavior change
Describe the importance of core values and participate in a core values identification process
Demonstrate leading portions of “Mindfulness of Sounds, Touch Points, and Breath”
Create a behavior change plan with a SMART goal
Explain the role of interdependence in behavior change, and how this relates to asking for help from helpers
Describe four communication styles in asking for and receiving help
Describe the implementation differences between leading MBC in a clinical healthcare sitting vs a community program
Explain how MBC groups can be scheduled and billed in a healthcare setting
