Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction training (MBSR) is used as a tool for improving mental health and increasing feelings of well-being. It can be an effective way to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression levels, so it’s no surprise that certification for teaching MBSR is on the rise.
The 5 Best MBSR Training Certifications Online are:
- East Coast Mindfulness
- Center For Mindfulness Studies MBSR Facilitator Course
- Mindful Leader MBSR Teacher Training
- Mindfulness Northwest
- Mindfulness Center at Brown
With so many options available, it can be hard to decide which online MBSR certification course is right for you. Below we will give you an overview of what you need to become a qualified MBSR teacher and break down the 5 best MBSR certification courses you can take online.
Article Contents
How Do I Get Certified in MBSR?
If you’re considering training to teach meditation, it’s important to have a good understanding of the program and the responsibilities it entails. It also helps if you maintain a regular meditation practice yourself.
Ask yourself why you want to start teaching or what aspects of your practice you want to know more about. Do you want to learn more gaps in your knowledge, understand the wellness benefits of meditation, or use this time as a way to supplement your clients’ lives? All are good reasons. The important thing is that you have some understanding of your intention.
If you think mindfulness might be something to explore, you will be glad to hear that there are many training resources available. It’s important to consider all your options when it comes to MBSR course providers as they provide a range of different courses. In some cases, you will need to take the eight-week course as a participant before teaching your own class.
The time it takes to get your certification will vary. Providers of the MBSR curriculum typically ask for completion of the 8-week MBSR program, followed by 12-36 months of studying and teaching. This means it could take between one and three years before you can provide MBSR courses on your own. However, for those teachers with previous experience in their subject, the total time required to certify in MBSR could be reduced.
How Much Do MBSR Teachers Make?
The average annual pay for a Mindfulness Instructor in the United States is $54,358. There can be a wide variation of pay for mindfulness instructors, not only because of the location and experience but also because your skill levels might vary.
(Check out this article for the best books on meditation and mindfulness.)
What is the Difference Between MBCT and MBSR?
Though they share some similarities, it’s important to note the differences in MBCT and MBSR so that you don’t confuse the two and can seek out the training that is best for you.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a form of therapy that helps people with recurrent bouts of depression and chronic unhappiness. MBCT combines introspection with meditation and attention to body sensations. It helps you to get to know your everyday mode of mind, which can often be characterized by patterns of thinking that are biased towards negativity, and also provides exercises for developing a different way of thinking that can counteract these biases.
Both MBCT and MBSR are similar in that they typically train using an 8-week course with a class structure that includes discussion and inquiry led by teachers, as well as meditation and movement practices. However, MBCT is more of a modified version of MBSR.
MBCT focuses more on relating to low moods, bad thoughts, and uncomfortable feelings. People are encouraged to turn towards these thoughts early. It incorporates your awareness of how your mood disorders are manifested. This way, they can become comfortable with their negative thoughts and also know what to do if anything starts bothering them.
The skills you learn during MBSR are meant to help you be more mindful about life so that you can make better decisions. The ultimate goal of the program is to help lower your stress levels and understand yourself better as a whole.
The 5 Best MBSR Training Certifications Online
MBSR courses can come in many different variations, but one thing that varies between them is the number of days. You may, for example, find that some MBSR courses are full-time or online courses, whereas others offer a more blended approach of practical classes and online study. Finding the right MBSR course to suit your requirements can be challenging. However, it is worth finding one that meets your needs and provides you with the necessary information to teach MBSR classes.
In order to get MBSR teacher training, it’s vital that you find a course that will give you the confidence to deliver eight weeks of programming that uses mindful techniques like body awareness and yoga. You’ll also want one that includes weekly group meetings, a full-day retreat, and other homework assignments you set for your students.
Depending on your existing knowledge and understanding of these topics, choosing the right MBSR online training provider might be a must to provide you with tools, techniques, and knowledge to deliver an effective program.
Here are the top 5 online MBSR certification training programs to consider.
1. East Coast Mindfulness
East Coast Mindfulness offers a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher training program that is entirely online and prepares you to teach MBSR in person. The trainings are done via live online sessions with an instructor and study of prerecorded videos.
One of the highlights of this program is that you begin teaching early on under the mentorship of an MBSR teacher. This allows you to develop skillful habits early on, and earn money sooner, which can help offset the cost of training.
Prerequisites
To participate in the certification course, you will need high-speed internet and a laptop or desktop computer with a speaker, microphone, and video capabilities. There are also several prerequisites that you must meet to enroll:
- Completion of an 8-Week MBSR course
- Regular personal mindfulness meditation practice of at least one year
- Participation in a silent, teacher-led retreat
- Commitment to complete at least Phase One of the teacher training pathways
Length of the Program
East Coast Mindfulness offers a 3-phase program that takes about 2-3+ years to complete. However, training may take short or longer depending on your level of experience. Your mentor and you may decide that you should take more mentoring courses before proceeding with the certification process.
Alternatively, you have the option to begin teaching after Phase One. This may be enough to meet your needs as an MBSR teacher. However, if you would like to become a master in this expertise, it is suggested that you complete the training beyond Phase One.
2. Center For Mindfulness Studies MBSR Facilitator Course
The MBSR Facilitator Certification program from the Center for Mindfulness Studies is a four-phase course that takes students through the core concepts of mindfulness, mentorships, advanced teacher training, and more.
Prerequisites
Since creating a mindfulness practice is included in the course, there aren’t many prerequisites when applying to the program. However, it is recommended that you have a personal mindfulness practice starting with at least 15 minutes a day for a minimum of three months before applying.
Length of the Program
The length of this course will vary depending on the experience of the individual. You can expect at least 9 months of study and practice facilitating courses before receiving your certification.
3. Mindful Leader MBSR Teacher Training
The MBSR teacher certification training from Mindful Leader will give you a deeper understanding of MBSR through a curriculum designed by certified trainers and recognized by the Global Mindfulness Collaborative.
The course is completed online via live video meetings and includes a day-long at-home mediation retreat. Each session is limited to 12 participants, so instructors have a chance to work 1-on-1 with each student.
Prerequisites
This course follows the official Global Mindfulness Collaborative teacher training path. Students will explore the foundations of MBSR and should have already had somewhat of an understanding of mindfulness. Prerequisites for the course include:
- Completion of an 8-week MBSR class
- Attended at least one silent, teacher-led meditation retreat
- Established a consistent meditation practice for a minimum of two years
Length of the Program
This 10-week course also includes enrollment in the MBSR 8-week course. The MBSR course and teacher training course are taken simultaneously so that you can expect about 10-11 weeks committed to the course.
4. Mindfulness Northwest
This intensive training program will teach you everything you need to know about techniques, personal presence, and background knowledge when it comes to teaching MBSR.
Mindfulness Northwest’s four-phase intensive MBSR teacher training involves retreats, home practice, distance learning, and weekend seminars. This course provides hands-on in-classroom training with a high faculty-to-student ratio, personalized feedback, and warm support. It is an immersive learning experience where you will be able to master MBSR skills and gain confidence in teaching the course.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for the MBSR Teacher Training course include:
- Completion of the 8-week MBSR class
- Completed at least one silent, teacher-led meditation retreat
- Established a consistent meditation practice.
This is advanced training designed for those who are already proficient with meditation techniques. If you need a more basic introduction to mindfulness, Mindfulness Northwest offers a Mindfulness Teacher Training Course.
Length of the Program
This program is set up to be completed in three academic years. The MBSR-TT progression unfolds in four stages. You will work through the first two with a group in intensive, practicum-based settings. Phases three and four are more flexible and mentorship-based, with certification happening in the third year.
5. Mindfulness Center at Brown
The Mindfulness Center at Brown is a world-leading research center that offers a program that prepares you for the MBSR Teacher Training. It teaches the basics of mindfulness and offers skills for life balance, freedom from worry, and sleep quality improvement.
Anyone who has completed the MBSR 8-week program and has attended one qualifying retreat can then embark on the journey of learning how to teach MBSR. You will be taught by highly skilled instructors and teacher-trainers as you follow a curriculum from Brown University’s Mindfulness Center to become a Certified MBSR teacher.
While this program used to be strictly done in person, the pandemic caused the school to shift all trainings online. Brown University noticed that there was a great need of online training and has decided to continue to offer online trainings to the global community.
Prerequisites
The teacher training at Brown requires both formal MBSR-related learning and personal experience. The prerequisites to take the course include:
- Completion of the 8-week MBSR class
- Participation in a teacher-led silent retreat
- A minimum of two years of regular formal mindfulness practice
- A graduate degree
Length of the Program
The Teacher Training Pathway requires a minimum of three years to complete, but this time frame can be affected by factors such as your routine and program involvement. If you’ve had a daily established mindfulness practice for two years, the requirements for this course can be completed within 3-4 months. Typically, the program should take no more than five years to complete.
Final Thoughts
MBSR teacher training is now more accessible than ever before. You can get training to become a mindfulness instructor right online without having to leave your home. Researchers have found that mindfulness programs improve general well-being, but if you’re looking for tools to help build your business and earn from client referrals, then enrolling in a mindfulness facilitator course might suit you better.
The cost of MBSR training varies greatly, and the price you pay will depend on who you choose to do your MBSR training with and how much experience you already have. Hopefully, one of these 5 options will have what you are looking for in a certification course.
