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SPECIALIST Training: TEACH THE Mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting (MBCP) CURRICULUM
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Next Training: To Be Announced
Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) is an evidence-based programme for expectant parents that integrates mindfulness skills and practice with childbirth and parenting education. This specialist training module is offered as part of The Mindfulness Network Training Pathway in association with Bangor University.
Founded in 1998, by nurse-midwife Nancy Bardacke, CNM, the 9-week MBCP programme is one of the first adaptations of the world-renowned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programme (MBSR) founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD. In the years since its inception, thousands of expectant parents have used MBCP to help them navigate the transformational processes of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the intense, joyful, and sometimes stressful experiences of being a parent.
Some benefits of perinatal mindfulness include:
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Reduced stress
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Reduced anxiety
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Reduced depression
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Reduced fear of childbirth
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Reduced pain catastrophising
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Reduced non-urgent interventions
- Reduced NICU trauma + stays
- Improved childbirth self-efficacy
- Improved breast/chestfeeding initiation
- Improved maternal-fetal attachment
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Improved positive affect
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Improved partner psychological well-being
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Improved infant resilience
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Improved infant socio-emotional development
The MBCP Specialist Training Module is an accelerated course designed for trainees on The Mindfulness Network Training Pathway and their alumni who wish to specialize in MBCP.
The mindfulness network: mbcp specialist module
STEP ONE:
Students complete the "Mindfulness Essentials" Training Module via The Mindfulness Network
STEP TWO:
Students enroll in the "MBCP Specialist Training Module for Mindfulness Professionals" course via Mindful Birthing
STEP THREE:
Students attend an online, intensive weekend retreat, experiencing the MBCP course as a participant
STEP FOUR:
Students attend an online, 8-week MBCP Training course, which includes a day-long silent retreat
STEP FIVE:
If students are not perinatal professionals, a self-guided, 4-part "Birth Module" learning series is available
STEP SIX:
Return to The Mindfulness Network to complete the Training Pathway including MBCP supervision
Prerequisites
In partnership with The Mindfulness Network and the Mindfulness Centre at Bangor University, the Mindful Birthing and Parenting Foundation (MBPF) now offers a MBCP Specialist Training pathway for those who have completed their 5-day Essentials Training (or Teacher Training Level 1) and wish to teach mindfulness to perinatal populations.
To enroll in the MBCP Specialist Training, a personal, daily meditation practice persisting a minimum of 6-months prior to the programme start is required.
While not mandatory to begin the MBCP Specialist Training, the MBPF does advise that students aim to fulfill the list of recommendations outlined in the full MBCP Teacher Training's Suggested Background document as part of their learning.
THE MBCP RETREAT
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20 Hours
After Essentials Training, the next phase of the MBCP Specialist Training is the MBCP Retreat. During this weekend intensive, students will experience many of the essential teachings and practices in the MBCP programme. This introductory retreat allows students to engage with the MBCP programme curriculum as a course participant — gaining an intimate understanding of how mindfulness and perinatal education both intersect and serve expectant parents.
The MBCP Training, Day-long retreat, and home practice
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20 Hours (training: 2.5 hours/week)
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5 Hours (retreat)
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16 Hours (home practice: at least 2 hours/week)
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Optional: 4-part self-guided Birth Module
Following the MBCP Retreat, students will embark on an 8-week online course during which they will learn to teach the MBCP programme and better understand the history, theory, and research behind MBCP. If a student has no professional perinatal experience, a self-guided Birth Module will be made available.
Means of learning include:
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Watching + reflecting on pre-recorded MBCP course videos
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Exploratory dialogue both during class (oral) and in the online classroom forum (written)
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Experiential teaching and inquiry during class and the day-long retreat led by faculty members
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Personal reflection of daily practice and thoughts/beliefs/emotions regarding childbirth and parenting
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Peer support as students partner and practice teaching with one another between classes
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Faculty support, including individualized meeting opportunities
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Supplemental materials to mitigate knowledge deficits, such as the Birth Module
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Supervision + mentoring while preparing for and teaching the first MBCP course after completion of training
birth module
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Self Guided Learning
This Birth Module helps to build education literacy so that students have a better sense of ease and familiarity with the topics and questions that may arise within the classroom. While the scope of practice as an MBCP Teacher does not extend to offering medical advice or opinions to class participants, it is important to understand the context in which expectant parents are attempting to apply their mindfulness skills. This is a self guided module that the student can complete in their own time during the Programme.
supervision
Upon completion of the MBCP Specialist Training, students are eligible to begin teaching the MBCP programme. Supervision is offered through the Mindfulness Network, visit their website to find a supervisor to support your teaching: https://supervision.mindfulness-network.org/
Graduates are also invited to join the Mindful Birthing and Parenting Foundation's MBCP Teacher Alumni Community Group — an opportunity to connect with hundreds of other MBCP Teachers across the globe, to gain access to the "Find an MBCP Teacher" search tool on the mindfulbirthing.org website, and to stay up-to-date with professional development opportunities.
Certification
After completion of the MBCP Specialist Module, students will return to The Mindfulness Network to
finish the Training Pathway. Once you have completed all parts of the Training Pathway you can submit your portfolio for certification from the Mindfulness Network and Bangor University.
Graduates of the MBCP Specialist Training are also eligible to apply to become a Certified MBCP Teacher through the Mindful Birthing and Parenting Foundation, which issues the post-nominal honorarium MBCPTc.
Programme details
The MBCP Retreat
Date: TBC (weekend)
Time: (all times in GMT)
Friday: 2:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday: 2:00pm-9:00pm
Sunday: 2:00pm-9:00pm
The MBCP Training
Date: TBC
Time: (all times in GMT)
Wednesdays:
5:3opm-8:00pm
The Half-Day Retreat
Date: TBC
Time: (all times in GMT)
Saturday:
2:00pm-5:00pm
Programme costs
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$0 - Application Fee (use the discount code: TMN50)
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£1495 - Tuition
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$0 - Birth Module
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$300 - Certification via the Mindful Birthing and Parenting Foundation (optional)
Questions? Feel free to contact us at mbcp_specialist@mindfulbirthing.org.
Programme registration
FUTURE PROGRAM DATES TO BE CONFIRMED