MBSR: The Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

8-Week Intensive

The Gold Standard in Mindfulness Education

Developed over four decades ago, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program remains the most widely researched and well-established mindfulness curriculum in the world. This comprehensive, evidence-based training offers a systematic approach to developing mindfulness practice within an engaged and supportive group environment.

This live online course is accessible to participants throughout North America and Europe.

Fall 2026 MBSR

FREE Orientation Session : October 1

📅 Class Dates: October 8 - December 3*

💻 Format: Live Online • 8 Weeks

🕘 Time: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30 AM (Arizona Time Zone)

🌿 Daylong Retreat: Sunday, November 15 • 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM (AZ)

🎓 CE Available: 24 APA Approved CE Hours available

*No meeting the week of Thanksgiving

Enrollment is intentionally limited to support an interactive, responsive learning environment. Advance Registration is available through September 10.

Is MBSR Right for You?

This internationally recognized program is appropriate for anyone interested in developing a sustainable mindfulness practice, including healthcare professionals. Participants commonly take MBSR to:

Reduce stress and emotional reactivity
Cultivate resilience and well-being
Improve focus and clarity
Develop a regular mindfulness practice and integrate it into daily life
Support personal and professional growth: Health care professionals will be able to incorporate the tools and practices offered in this program in ways beneficial to clients or patients

"The MBSR program offered me invaluable tools in coping with the stress and pain

of dealing with serious health issues. Genevieve provided a safe and supportive environment. She is so knowledgeable, sincere and caring...

I highly recommend taking this program with Genevieve as the facilitator."

- Elizabeth B., Mesa AZ

Learn about the program from the founders of MBSR

Watch this 7 minute introduction video, excerpted from the original UMass Center of Mindfulness DVD

Registration Rates MBSR

The MBSR 8-Week Intensive is in a group format. Course includes free introductory session & eight

2.5 hour classes, and one full 7 hour daylong session totaling 30 hours of instruction and guidance.

Tuition & Registration

Advance Registration (through Sept 10): Receive a $50 savings on the Benefactor and Base tuition shown below.

Tuition Tier

Benefactor Income $70k+

Base Income $35k- 69k

Scholarship Income < 35k

Live Online

$795

$595

$350 (by request)

In Person

$895

$695

$350 (by request)

Tiered Rate Approach

Tuition is offered on an honor-based, tiered model.

No proof of income is required.

Please register at the highest rate that is comfortable for you.

Benefactor Rate

Benefactor Rate registrations help make scholarship tuition available

for participants with limited financial resources,

supporting the accessibility of this program.

Thank you for helping sustain this community offering.

Scholarship Rates

Some flexible scholarship rates available:

contact the instructor to request a scholarship.

Continuing Education participants are not eligible for scholarship pricing.

Program costs include:

In person and online courses receive MP3 guided meditations & course workbook; In person courses are also provided with the course book: Full Catastrophe Living, by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Continuing Education (CE): 24 CE credits available for an additional $150

This program is co-sponsored by The Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) to provide Continuing Education for Mental Health professionals and Nurses. Please click the link to find out more about CE hours/credit.

Cancellation policy:

Refund minus 5% credit processing fee until 24 hours after Orientation Class. No refunds 24 hours after the Orientation session date. In special circumstances (family emergencies, illness, etc) if unable to complete the full program the opportunity to retake at another time within a year of the original program may be offered on a space-available basis.

Your MBSR Experience Includes:

✓ Eight weekly live sessions

✓ Daylong retreat to deepen and integrate practice

✓ Course workbook and guided meditation recordings

✓ Formal meditation and everyday mindfulness practices

✓ Gentle mindful movement

✓ Supportive group dialogue and reflection

✓ Individualized guidance and feedback

✓ Continuing Education (CE) hours for health professionals

✓ Cultivate embodied presence in everyday life

Course Content

Formal practices, including mindfulness meditation focusing on breath sensations and 'choiceless awareness' meditation which incorporates physical sensations, feelings, sounds and thoughts through expanded attention; body scan and mindful movement practices including gentle yoga, qi gong and walking meditation are utilized to develop embodied awareness.
Group dialogue and questions about experiences and challenges
Psychoeducation on stress, behavior, psychology and neuroscience, and mindful communication as it relates to our experience and patterns of interaction; incorporating mindfulness in daily life; components of awareness such as acceptance, compassion and gratitude; formal and informal practice.

Course Format

Everyone is welcome to attend the free Orientation class which provides an introduction to Mindfulness practices and to the course. The course itself is eight weekly 2.5 hour sessions, and one 7 hour full day meditation retreat; usually a Saturday or Sunday of the sixth week of the program.

The 2.5 hour weekly course incorporates formal practice periods, brief lecture, discussion, and small group interaction. The class format provides a safe and supportive container for learning and self-exploration. Participants are asked to commit to practice daily using the recorded audio provided, and complete short assigned readings from the book, "Full Catastrophe Living" (by Jon Kabat-Zinn). Class workbook and recordings are included in the course costs; the book is provided for in-person classes, and recommended to purchase for online participants.

In each weekly class, we'll spend approximately 75 - 90 minutes working with formal practices. The rest of the time will combine short informational didactic instruction and discussion, as well as group support and sharing.

To experience the full benefits of MBSR, participants are asked to make a commitment

to participate fully and attend each week

What You'll Need:

Bring a yoga mat or beach towel, a meditation cushion if you wish to use one (chairs are provided), snacks or beverage for breaks if you wish. Wear comfortable, loose fitting and layered clothing for comfort. Please abstain from strongly scented products in consideration of those with environmental sensitivities.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS:

Readiness to make meaningful change.
Willingness to honor a safe, non-judgmental, non-political and confidential environment in the classroom.
Commitment to a daily at-home practice and homework assignments of reading and reflection, averaging about 45 minutes to an hour per day during the course of the program.
Commitment to attending class each week; this creates a sense of stability and community with fellow participants and continuity of practice for the individual participant. If you must miss a class, it is important to communicate with the instructor as soon as you are able. It's not advisable to take the course if you will miss more than two classes.
Turn off/put away electronic devices and alerts during class sessions, unless being used for online courses.
For Live, Online courses: Use of laptop is strongly recommended over smartphone. Laptop or device must be placed on a stable and unmoving base (not on the lap or hand-held and not in a moving vehicle or walking around.) Must participate with video on, in an area secluded from others to avoid interruptions and protect group confidentiality. Close social media, alerts and other distractions during class. Recording of sessions is prohibited.