MFT660AN Mindfulness Based Couples and Family Therapy (1 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): MFT605 , MFT620  

Pre/Co-requisite: MFT615  
This course provides a framework for working with couples and families from a mindfulness based perspective. Techniques to enhance relaxation and decrease the stress response, which in turn can reduce frustration and conflict, are introduced. During the course students personally experience the techniques and learn how to introduce them to clients to increase compassion and acceptance and generally increase the ability to cope in a family system. Discussion of the impact of mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on clinical work with couples and families is included.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Evaluate how the basic ideas of mindfulness can be used in couple and family therapy.
2. Develop the knowledge and skills to design and deliver mindfulness-based interventions in couple and family therapy.
3. Articulate the effect on both client and practitioner of mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT).
4. Practice mindfulness based interventions to gain a more client-focused perspective.
5. Analyze the effect of a daily mindfulness practice.