Mindfulness FAQ

Our Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program:

• Is for the general population
• Addresses acute or chronic stress (e.g., pain, grief, work, illness, etc.)
• Examines the effects of chronic stress
• Uses mindfulness to teach healthy responses
• Reduces avoidance and maladaptive coping skills
• Emphasizes waking up to being present
• Develops skills so you know what to do when stress arises

Our Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program:

• Treats depression/anxiety
• Prevents depressive relapse
• Enhances awareness of negative states and builds self-care
• Uses mindfulness and CBT exercises to shift unhelpful attitudes
• Explores patterns of thinking, emotion and behavior  
• Emphasizes choice in responding to distress
• Develops skills so you know what to do when low moods and anxiety arise

Both the MBSR and MBCT programs:

• Follow the same structure (8-week course, 2.5 hours per session, 1-day silent retreat)
• Have a group format with home practice exercises
• Share mindful awareness as their foundation
• Highlight the practice of paying attention to experiences, thoughts, emotions and the body as key aspects of mindfulness
• Explore mindfulness practices to increase wellness
• Include meditation, informal practice and mindful movement in the sessions

The CFM is a secular institution, and MBSR was designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, background or traditions.

While we no longer offer MBSR teacher training directly, we are proud to help prepare and guide aspiring MBSR teachers toward certification. Completion of our 8-week MBSR course fulfills the prerequisite for beginning MBSR teacher training at most institutions. Rooted in the birthplace of MBSR, our courses offer a direct connection to its origins. This connection draws many instructors to begin their journey here.

Before registering for our MBSR course, please confirm with the training organization you have chosen that it will fulfill this prerequisite.

In 2019, the CFM transitioned from UMass Chan Medical School to UMass Memorial Health. At that time, the CFM discontinued its MBSR teacher training program. Our courses focus on personal participation and learning. They are not intended for professional use or to provide teaching credentials.

No. Although some organizations do allow teachers-in-training to enroll in their MBCT programs, ours is not intended as professional development. Our MBCT course is specifically intended for participants who have experienced recurrent depression, are currently in treatment or who may have been hospitalized for depression in the past. In this way, we can offer a course that connects participants with each other and acknowledges, supports and builds on their shared experience.

No. You do not need a doctor’s referral to participate in CFM programs. If you’re under the care of a physician or mental health professional and have specific health concerns, we can review any important details with you to ensure the program is a good fit.

With your consent, we can communicate with your doctor or mental health professional to help strengthen your support network during the program.

Not currently. CFM programs are self-pay and not covered by third-party payers, and they do not have associated wellness codes. We do offer Harvard Pilgrim or Tufts Health Plan members a 15% discount on our 8-week MBSR and MBCT courses.

8-Week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Programs:

• Cancellation up to and after the date of orientation, but before the date of Week 1 Class: 100% tuition refund
• Cancellation on or after the date of Class 1, but before the date of Week 2 Class: Tuition refund less $75 cancellation fee
• Cancellation on or after the date of Class 2, but before the date of Week 3 Class: Tuition refund less $150 cancellation fee
• Cancellation on or after the date of Week 3, Class 3: No refund given

4-Week Mindfulness Tools and Mindfulness for Pain Courses:

• 100% refund until the day before Week 1 Class
• 50% refund ($100) before the date of Week 2 Class
• No refunds on or after the date of Week 2 Class

Note that our class sizes are capped to enable a more intimate group dynamic, and your cancellation means that we can’t fill your seat once the course has started.

• Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts Health Plan members: Please email us with verification of membership for a 15% discount code on our 8-week MBSR or MBCT programs
• UMass Memorial Health caregivers: Please refer to the CFM’s Hub page for more information.

Our courses are designed for participants aged 17 and older, and most attendees are adults. While younger students are welcome if they meet the age requirement, parents may want to explore other mindfulness programs tailored for youth.

To ensure the best online experience, please review the following technical requirements and guidelines. We ask that you have:

• High-speed internet connection, webcam, microphone and speakers to support clear video and sound during class sessions.
• Ability to use a desktop or laptop computer (laptops are recommended for easy movement to a quiet space).
• Familiarity with joining online meetings, using your camera and muting/unmuting your microphone.
• An active email account that you check regularly to receive important course messages, including class links and materials. Please note that our emails can sometimes be filtered to spam or junk folders, so it’s helpful to check those as well.
• A web browser (such as Chrome, Safari or Edge) to access course pages and home practice materials. It’s helpful to feel comfortable navigating websites and opening links shared by your instructor.
• Headphones or earbuds for confidentiality, especially if others nearby might be able to overhear class discussions.

For the best online experience, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer. Mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) are not recommended because they limit your view of other participants. They also make it harder to follow presentations or movement demonstrations and can introduce distractions through screen tapping or smaller audio/visual quality.

Things to note:

• Our courses include guided discussion and collaborative activities with instructors and fellow participants, which are easier to follow on a laptop or desktop.
• The online meeting room allows you to see everyone together. Mobile devices can restrict this view.
• Mobile controls may also be less intuitive than the desktop version.
• If a computer isn’t available, a mobile device can be used. But using a laptop or desktop ensures the fullest, clearest experience.

No. Currently, we do not offer CEUs for our programs.

We do not offer certificates. However, we do provide a completion letter at the end of our 8-week courses. This letter includes your name, your contact information, the dates attended, the number of class hours and information regarding the at-home practice.

For participants pursuing MBSR teacher training, this letter can be submitted to the training organization as confirmation that you’ve fulfilled this requirement. You’ll also receive a list of resources to help you continue your practice after the course is over.

People who complete our 4-week course receive a completion email and post-program resources for continuing their practice.

No. You don’t need experience with meditation, yoga or any other mindfulness practice. You don’t need to know how to meditate. Everyone can explore and experience mindfulness while a skilled teacher guides you and answers questions about the practice.

If you do have experience with meditation or yoga, CFM courses offer an opportunity to deepen your practice and explore it in a supportive community.

In some cases, we may encourage participants to wait before beginning an MBSR program. We may also suggest seeking other treatments. We may recommend getting care from a mental health professional or medical doctor if you have certain conditions or life situations, including: 

• Being in the middle of major life changes
• History of substance or alcohol misuse with less than a year of being clean or sober
• Recent or unresolved trauma
• Thoughts or attempts of suicide