Day/Time: Wednesdays, 6:15 – 8:15 pm, 10 weeks., starting January 2018
Class Size: 6-10 participants
Cost: $50/session for 10 sessions & $125 for required Saturday retreat
Insurance: Documentation provided to file for out-of-network reimbursement
Information: Email sandra@stldbt.com
Have you had recurrent depression?
Do you have mild depression now?
Do intrusive negative thoughts keep you from being effective?
Are you plagued by anxiety?
Adults and teens 16+ years are invited to participate in the 10-weekMindful Way through Depression. This class combines the power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness meditation to reduce the risk of recurrent major depression, decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety and teach participants to managing racing negative thoughts.
“[The class] has been very helpful. I notice when things are going sideways and can usually bring myself back. I’ve never really been OK with myself or felt I needed to ‘get to know me’. But I feel this class has made me do that. I’m actually glad that I’m waking up and learning who I am and slowly coming to terms with my fear and depression. Realizing it’s not something I can fight. It’s something I need to face and realize those things aren’t me.”
~ a former participant
WHO IS AT RISK?
Major depression will affect approximately one in five people in their lifetimes. At least 50% of those who recover from a first episode of depression will have one or more additional episodes in their lifetime. About 80% of those who have had two episodes will have another recurrence.
Anxiety disorders affect 18% of the U.S. population. People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.
WHO WILL BENEFIT?
Five groups of people will benefit.
- Those who have suffered from recurrent depression or have mild depression currently
- Those who have been advised to remain on antidepressant medication for the rest of their life to prevent a recurrence,
- Those plagued by anxiety
- Those interested in learning a new way of relating to unwanted thoughts and feelings
- Those who want to learn powerful new tools to manage thoughts, emotions and pain
HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT?
Many factors affect who is at risk including genes, biology, environmental factors and racing negative thoughts, Of these, negative thoughts is the only factor at risk individuals can effectively change with intention and practice. Negative thought patterns include:
~ intrusive negative thoughts
~ racing thoughts
~ assuming the worst
~ worry thoughts
~ obsessing about the past
~ judging yourself and others
~ excessive guilt
~ thinking you’re not good enough, not lovable, not worthy
~ focusing on what should be instead of what is
~ seeing the negatives in your life rather than the positives
ABOUT THE CLASS
This proven approach combines the powerful benefits of guided meditation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). As part of the class, you will:
- Attend a free orientation
- Attend one 2 -hour class per week for 10 weeks plus an all-day Saturday retreat between the 6th & 7th classes
- Complete homework – estimated 30-60 minutes per day, 6 days/week – mindfulness meditation, yoga, reading, thought records and a depression relapse plan
Participants will be required to read The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself From Chronic Unhappiness by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal and Jon Kabat-Zinn as a part of the experience.
Each class will begin with guided meditation and review of homework.. Learning will largely be experiential mindfulness and meditation exercises with discussion.