Mindfulness-based Cognitive Group Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Treatment

DIAGNOSIS: Generalized Anxiety Disorder

TREATMENT: Mindfulness-based Cognitive Group Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

BRIEF SUMMARY

Basic premise: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a structured therapeutic approach that combines mindfulness practices with core concepts of cognitive therapy. This group therapy program integrates mindfulness meditation and cognitive strategies to help individuals develop awareness of their anxious thoughts and emotions and learn to relate to them in a non-judgmental and accepting manner. Participants are taught to identify and challenge maladaptive thought patterns, develop a more balanced perspective on their worries, and cultivate effective coping skills to manage symptoms of GAD. The group setting provides a supportive environment for individuals to share experiences and learn from one another, fostering a sense of community and mutual understanding.

Craigie, M. A., Rees, C. S., Marsh, A., & Nathan, P. (2008). Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A preliminary evaluation. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 36(5), 553–568. https://doi.org/10.1017/S135246580800458X

Ghahari, S., Mohammadi-Hasel, K., Malakouti, S., & Roshanpajouh, M. (2020). Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Generalised Anxiety Disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. East Asian Archives of Psychiatry, 30(2), 52–56. https://doi.org/10.12809/eaap1885

Roemer, L., Lee, J. K., Salters-Pedneault, K., Erisman, S. M., Orsillo, S. M., & Mennin, D. S. (2009). Mindfulness and emotion regulation difficulties in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Preliminary evidence for independent and overlapping contributions. Behavior Therapy, 40(2), 142–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2008.04.001

Society of Clinical Psychology – Div12. (n.d.). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Div12.org. https://div12.org/treatment/mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy/

TREATMENT RESOURCES

TREATMENT MANUALS

Mindfulness Basics. A Mindfulness Audio Program. Manual for the audio program. What you need to know to get started on the practice of mindfulness (Ameli, 2020)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Patient Treatment Manual (Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders St. Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, 2010)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Basic Group for Anxiety. Adult Patient Manual (DeSena)

Full catastrophe living: How to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditation (Kabat-Zinn, 2013)

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression (Segal, Williams, & Teasdale, 2013)

37 Free Printable Mindfulness Worksheets & Exercises (Sutton, 2020)

Free Resources (The Free Mindfulness Projekt)

WORKBOOKS and WORKSHEETS

Patient Education manual: Mindfulness Skills (University of California San Francisco, Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital & Clinics)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

What Is MBCT? + 28 Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Tools (Ackermann, 2017)

Free Mindfulness Worksheets - Mindfulness Exercises (Mindfulness Exercises)

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (Psychology Today)

What Is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)?. (Schimelpfening, 2023)

SUPPORTING STUDIES

Evans, S., Ferrando, S., Findler, M., Stowell, C., Smart, C., & Haglin, D. (2008). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(4), 716–721.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.07.005

Kim, Y. W., Lee, S.-H., Choi, T. K., Suh, S. Y., Kim, B., Kim, C. M., Cho, S. J., Kim, M. J., Yook, K., Ryu, M., Song, S. K., & Yook, K.-H. (2009). Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as an adjuvant to pharmacotherapy in patients with panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Depression and Anxiety, 26(7), 601–606.

https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20552

Strege, M. V., Swain, D., Bochicchio, L., Valdespino, A., & Richey, J. A. (2018). A Pilot Study of the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Positive Affect and Social Anxiety Symptoms. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 866.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00866

Wong, S. Y. S., Yip, B. H. K., Mak, W. W. S., Mercer, S., Cheung, E. Y. L., Ling, C. Y. M., Lui, W. W. S., Tang, W. K., Lo, H. H. M., Wu, J. C. Y., Lee, T. M. C., Gao, T., Griffiths, S. M., Chan, P. H. S., & Ma, H. S. W. (2016). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy v. group psychoeducation for people with generalised anxiety disorder: Randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 209(1), 68–75.

https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.115.166124