Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in Ontario: What It Is & How It Works

In-person counselling in London and Burlington, with online therapy across Ontario.

MBCT is a structured approach that combines mindfulness practice with cognitive therapy. We explain what formal MBCT involves, where the evidence is strongest, and how to explore therapy options that fit your goals.

If you are specifically looking for a formal MBCT programme, ask about current availability during your consultation so we can give you an accurate answer before you book a full session.

Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation See How MBCT Works

Mindfulness + Cognitive Therapy
Awareness practice paired with cognitive therapy principles

A Structured Programme
Formal MBCT follows a defined skills-based curriculum

Relapse Prevention
Its clearest guideline role is recurrent depression relapse prevention

Personal Fit Matters
The right approach depends on your goals, history and preferences

What Is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy?

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a structured psychological programme that brings together mindfulness practice and cognitive therapy. Instead of treating every thought as something that must be argued with or changed, MBCT teaches people to notice thoughts, emotions and body sensations with more awareness and to respond less automatically.

MBCT is most established as a relapse-prevention approach for recurrent depression. CAMH describes MBCT as primarily effective as a maintenance treatment, while NICE includes group MBCT among psychological options for depression relapse prevention.

A useful distinction: a formal MBCT course is a named, structured programme. A therapist can use mindfulness exercises within individual therapy without that therapy being a full MBCT programme.

How the approach works

How MBCT Changes Your Relationship With Thoughts

Mindfulness practice creates a pause between noticing an internal experience and reacting to it. Cognitive therapy adds a framework for recognizing patterns such as rumination and worry. Together, the work can look like this:

01

Notice

Bring attention to thoughts, emotions and body sensations as they are happening.

02

Step Back

Practise seeing thoughts as mental events rather than automatically treating them as facts.

03

Respond

Choose a more deliberate response instead of being pulled immediately into a familiar loop.

04

Plan

Recognize warning signs and build a practical plan for staying well when old patterns return.

What the research supports

Where the Evidence for MBCT Is Strongest

MBCT has been studied in several settings, but the evidence is not equally strong for every concern. Its clearest and most established role is helping prevent relapse in recurrent depression.

Recurrent Depression and Staying Well

NICE recommends group CBT or MBCT as relapse-prevention options for some people whose depression has remitted. A large individual-patient meta-analysis also found a lower risk of depressive relapse among people receiving manualized MBCT compared with non-MBCT care.

If depression is your main concern, you can also read about depression counselling and support at Steyaert Counselling.

Current Symptoms and Other Concerns

Research has also examined MBCT for current depressive symptoms and other concerns, but results are more mixed when MBCT is compared with other active psychological treatments. That is why we avoid presenting MBCT as the automatic choice for anxiety, stress, ADHD or trauma.

For concerns such as anxiety or chronic worry, a broader assessment can help determine whether anxiety therapy, individual therapy, CBT or another approach is a better fit.

For more detail, see the 2016 individual-patient meta-analysis in JAMA Psychiatry and the 2021 systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Formal MBCT and Mindfulness-Informed Therapy Are Different

A formal MBCT programme follows a specific curriculum and is usually taught as a structured course. Mindfulness-informed therapy is broader. A therapist may use attention, breathing or awareness practices inside CBT, ACT, DBT or another approach without delivering the full MBCT programme.

This distinction matters when you are choosing care. If you are specifically seeking the full MBCT programme, mention that during your free consultation so we can clarify current availability. If your goal is broader support with depression, anxiety, stress or recurring thought patterns, we can also discuss the approaches currently available with our therapists.

A typical formal programme

What a Formal MBCT Course Can Include

NICE describes relapse-prevention MBCT as usually eight sessions over two to three months. Exact delivery can vary by provider, but the formal programme is more structured than simply adding a mindfulness exercise to a therapy session.

Structured Sessions

A sequence of sessions builds skills gradually rather than relying on a single technique.

Mindfulness Practice

Practice can include attention to breathing, body sensations and ordinary daily activities.

Cognitive Learning

You learn to recognize patterns such as rumination and worry and relate to them differently.

Between-Session Practice

Practice outside sessions helps make skills more familiar and supports planning for future warning signs.

See the NICE depression guideline for the formal relapse-prevention structure and its emphasis on staying-well planning.

Related approaches

MBCT, CBT and Mindfulness Practice

These ideas overlap, but they are not interchangeable. Understanding the difference can make it easier to ask for the kind of support you actually want.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT examines connections among thoughts, emotions and behaviour and uses practical strategies to test or change patterns. Learn about CBT at Steyaert Counselling.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

MBCT combines mindfulness practice with cognitive therapy in a structured curriculum. A central skill is noticing thoughts and feelings without automatically getting pulled into them.

Mindfulness Practice

Mindfulness is a broader skill that can be used in many settings and therapy approaches. Using a mindfulness exercise does not, on its own, mean that someone is receiving formal MBCT.

Choosing your therapy

Choosing a Therapist and Approach at Steyaert Counselling

You do not need to choose a modality before contacting us. We can talk through your goals, location, preferences and the approaches each therapist is confirmed to offer. If formal MBCT is specifically what you are looking for, mention that so current availability can be clarified before you book a full session.

Portrait of Hannah Steyaert, Registered Psychotherapist in London, Ontario

London, Ontario

Hannah Steyaert

M.A., Registered Psychotherapist

Hannah works from our London office. Psychodynamic therapy is her primary approach, and she also offers CBT, ACT, DBT, ERP and attachment-based therapy.

View Hannah’s Profile
Portrait of Hailey Steyaert, Registered Psychotherapist in Burlington, Ontario

Burlington, Ontario

Hailey Steyaert

M.A., Registered Psychotherapist

Hailey works from our Burlington office. Her profile includes specialized training in ACT and trauma-focused therapy, additional expertise in trauma-informed therapy, EFT as a listed approach, and DBT-informed tools.

View Hailey’s Profile

Looking specifically for formal MBCT? Use the consultation or inquiry form below to ask about current formal MBCT availability. We would rather clarify that directly than imply that every mindfulness-based technique is a full MBCT programme.

How to work with us

Counselling in London, Burlington and Online Across Ontario

Our in-person, online and phone services are available through the practice even when a particular therapy programme needs to be confirmed separately.

London, Ontario

Hannah Steyaert
659 Central Ave, Suite 15
London, ON N5W 3P7
Free parking
226-970-2861
Explore London counselling

Burlington, Ontario

Hailey Steyaert
582 Guelph Line
Burlington, ON L7R 3M4
Free parking
647-970-1790
Explore Burlington counselling

Online Across Ontario

Both therapists offer online therapy to clients across Ontario, as well as phone appointments.

Learn about online therapy in Ontario

Common questions

Questions About Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

MBCT is a structured programme that combines mindfulness practice with cognitive therapy. It teaches you to notice thoughts, emotions and body sensations more deliberately and to respond to recurring patterns with greater awareness.

CBT often works directly with the relationship among thoughts, emotions and behaviour and may test or reframe unhelpful interpretations. MBCT uses cognitive therapy principles while placing more emphasis on mindfulness practice and changing how you relate to thoughts. Read our CBT page for a fuller explanation.

Formal MBCT programmes are designed to teach mindfulness practice as part of the course, so prior meditation experience is not necessarily required. Provider screening and programme expectations can vary, so ask what is expected before enrolling.

NICE describes relapse-prevention MBCT as usually eight sessions over two to three months, with the option of additional sessions later. That is a description of the formal programme, not a promise about the length of therapy at Steyaert Counselling.

Research supports MBCT as a relapse-prevention option for recurrent depression, and it is included in clinical guidance for that purpose. It does not guarantee that depression will not return, and treatment decisions should consider your history, preferences and other care.

MBCT and mindfulness-based approaches have been studied beyond recurrent depression, but the evidence is not equally strong for every concern. If anxiety or stress is your main reason for seeking therapy, we can discuss anxiety support, individual therapy and other confirmed approaches rather than assuming MBCT is the best fit.

Formal MBCT availability should be confirmed directly before you book a full session. A free 15-minute consultation or the inquiry form below is the best place to ask whether a formal MBCT programme is currently available and which therapist or approach may fit your goals.

Coverage depends on your individual benefits plan. Steyaert Counselling provides receipts for insurance reimbursement, but we do not guarantee that a particular plan will reimburse your sessions. Review our therapy cost information and confirm Registered Psychotherapist coverage with your insurer.

A simple next step

Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation

You do not need to decide on MBCT before reaching out. Use the consultation to briefly share what you are looking for, ask about current MBCT availability if that matters to you, and learn whether CBT, ACT, psychodynamic therapy, trauma-focused work or another confirmed approach may be a better fit.

Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation Ask a Question First

Contact Us Before Booking

Use this form if you have a question, are unsure which therapist or location to choose, or want to ask about formal MBCT availability. Sending the form is an inquiry and does not reserve an appointment.

Further reading

Clinical Resources on MBCT

NICE depression guideline: recommendations for depression treatment and relapse prevention, including group MBCT.

CAMH depression psychotherapy overview: a Canadian clinical overview that describes MBCT as primarily a maintenance treatment.

JAMA Psychiatry meta-analysis: individual-patient data on MBCT for relapse prevention in recurrent depression.