Pre-reading
Pre-reading
We will expect you to be familiar with some reading material prior to attending the Intensive. This reading material will also support your work in the Study Module. Please find the list of recommended reading here.
Focus and presence
Cultivate more concentration and capacity to be in the moment with what matters to you most, here and now.
Emotional calming
Reduce reactivity, learn to befriend your emotions and to express them in ways that set clear and caring boundaries.
Clarity and wisdom
See your patterns and values with more clarity so that your actions can be more beneficial to yourself and others.
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What ABC Catalyst had to say about MBSR
In late 2018, ABC's Catalyst team invited a group of 15 ordinary Australians to take part in a mindfulness experiment to see if undertaking the MBSR course could help treat conditions like chronic pain, stress, anxiety and depression that effect millions of us. This course was taught by Timothea Goddard - the Director of Openground. Watch their journey here to see how the eight week MBSR course changes people's lives and brains. Or check out these shorts giving an overview of MBSR and an excerpt following Erin's journey with MS and chronic pain.
How does MBSR work?
Through the cultivation of skills, attitudes and knowledge MBSR offers a tested approach to develop and quicken our innate human capacities for attention, awareness and wise action. You will learn a range of mindfulness practices to cultivate an observant, accepting and compassionate stance towards your own internal experiences including thoughts, emotions, body sensations and impulses, and how to apply this in a practical way to immediate life challenges.
In MSBR change happens through ~
- Physiological regulation ~ learning how to calm down and balance your nervous system
- Emotional awareness ~ getting to know your own emotions and how to accept, explore and transform them
- Cognitive flexibility ~ developing more concentration and clarity, and less rigidity in your beliefs and attitudes
- Engagement with values ~ bringing what you care about into how you live
- Behavioural change ~ experimenting with small changes leading to bigger shifts in life
Topics by week ~
Week 1 Recognising the present moment
Week 2 Perception and how we make sense of the world
Week 3 Keeping the body in mind
Week 4 Investigating stressful experience and approaching the difficult
Week 5 Finding perspective: working with emotions and thoughts
Week 6 Relationships and kindness
Week 7 Values and action
Week 8 Making mindfulness a part of your life
Testing the waters - a free consultation for you
You have probably tried a lot of things.
And while an in-depth mindfulness training can be transformative, it is not a panacea or a quick fix. You might be wondering how the scientific evidence about mindfulness can be applied to your specific situation.
You are welcome to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable teacher to explore what you are grappling with and discuss whether doing some in-depth mindfulness training would be useful or not.
The mindfulness course slowly allowed me to change my thought patterns from self-criticism to self-compassion. This is allowing me to let go of the past and of things that are outside of my control and get on with life. I seem now to see things more clearly, and it has made dealing with the reality of the life I have a lot easier.
Why learn with Openground?
Personal attention and skilled teaching
Practicing mindfulness with an experienced teacher simply can’t be compared with using a meditation app. We take a genuine, personal approach, and our highly trained, experienced, and dedicated teachers go the extra mile to help you engage with your practice in ways that can bring real transformation.
Evidence-based transformation
MBSR is an authentic, evidence-based program of mindfulness training, grounded in 39 years of research. Unlike many shorter mindfulness courses, which have no evidence of benefit, MBSR is globally recognised as the gold standard for mental and physical health in the field.
Real value
Our immersive, eight-week courses include 28 hours of personal mindfulness training. Many short courses only give you a taste of mindfulness, and are actually more expensive than MBSR on an hourly rate basis. Our courses offer significant value, and we can also arrange serious discounts if you need a helping hand.
About the teacher
Regina Gerlach
MPsych, Clinical Psychologist, PNT and ACT Practitioner, ACIML Mentor
Regina is a passionate and committed Clinical Psychologist, Mindfulness-Based practitioner and formally trained Mediator. Regina is a certified MBSR and MBCT teacher. Regina frequently attends silent retreats (Vipassana) and receives ongoing teaching and supervision on an individual basis.Regina has been trained by Mark Williams and Zindel Segal (MBCT), Jon Kabat-Zinn (aspects of MBSR and residential retreat), Saki Santorelli (ethics in Mindfulness), James Baraz, Rick Hanson (certified PNT practitioner), Russ Harris (certified ACT therapist), Elisha Goldstein (online Mindfulness training), and Bob Stahl (MBSR/MBCT practicum and retreat), and also trained in Mindful Schools Curriculum.Regina has instigated and established a University-based mindfulness community at Curtin University in Western Australia. She teaches MBCT and MBSR and has developed several mindfulness-informed programs, i.e., the Mindfulness modules for the ‘My Happiness Project’, a Mindfulness-Based Conflict Response (MBCR) course, and a Mindfulnessr-Based Stress Management (MBSM) course (also available online), and a Self-Care with Mindfulness Program. She is the developer of the app Mindfulness2Go that is designed to enhance participant’s experience of mindfulness during MBSR, MBCT and similar courses.Regina is providing peer supervision and training to her colleagues who are trained in Mindfulness; she was a member of the Steering Committee for Mindful Meditation Australia and is the Australian Mentor of Elisha Goldstein's Mindful Living online program (ACIML).
You questions answered
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How do I apply for the Level I Training Program?
Read the Training Pathway in Brief page to familiarise yourself with the requirements and prerequisites.
When you have fulfilled all prerequisites, you are ready to apply for Level I Training by registering and purchasing the Level I Application Document
Once you have purchased the application, you will receive an email containing a link to download the application form, and a link to upload the application form once it is completed.
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What are the prerequisites to apply to the Level I program?
Please see the information on the Training Pathway in Brief page
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Who do I contact if I'm having technical difficulties submitting my application online or if I have a question about submitting my application?
Please send an email to Caroline Friend at [email protected] or phone 0435 049 383
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When are applications due?
We find that the best time to apply is at least six months before the Level I intensive in order to allow you to complete the pre-reading, study module, essay and other preparatory readings. This essay is usually due two months before the Intensive event. The Level I training is also in high demand, so we encourage you to apply early.
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How will I know if my complete application was received by MTI?
After you pay the application fee and complete the questionnaire, you will be sent an email notification confirming receipt immediately. If you do not receive email notification, please contact the Admissions Advisor at [email protected].
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What is the total program cost and when are payments due?
Please check the costs page for a detailed outline of indicative costs of the whole program.
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I applied to the program and have been waitlisted for the Intensive. What does this mean, and when will I be contacted if there is an opening?
If you are waitlisted for an Intensive, it means the Intensive is at capacity due to the large demand for places. Every year, there may be more qualified applicants than we can admit. Should additional places become available, you will be notified at any time up until the start of the program. Meanwhile, you will be accepted into the Level 1 Program and begin with the Study Module. If you do not wish to begin the Study Module unless you are guaranteed a place in the Intensive, then please let us know that you wish your Program enrolment to be transferred to the following year.
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What is the refund policy for the different fees in Level 1 and 2?
The refund policy can bee seen on the Costs page
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Will applicants be interviewed? If so, how/when will I be contacted for an interview?
Some applicants may need to be interviewed. We prefer to do this via Skype as it keeps the costs down. Therefore, a Skype ID is requested on the application form. If you don’t have access to Skype, you will need to arrange a phone interview.
(Skype is an application you can download free on your computer and allows you to make free calls anywhere in the world if you have internet access. This is a simple process. Google Skype and follow their instructions.)