Supervision of MBSR teaching
Supervision provides an opportunity to meet with a senior MBSR instructor, in person or by telephone, to explore issues and questions that arise in teaching and presenting MBSR.
Our intention is to provide an opportunity for you to learn through self-reflection in the form of journaling and through support, guidance, exploratory dialogue and precise feedback with your supervisor.
Supervision fosters precision and comprehensiveness in the teaching of MBSR, and encourages an authentic exploration of unexamined habits and patterns that hinder effectiveness in teaching. Supervision is about creating a space which is dedicated to investigating, understanding and honing instructional approaches and skills.
You may wish to use supervision for the following:
• Create supporting instructional materials, including course curricula, audio tapes or CD’s, workbooks, and other teaching resources
• Explore the dynamics of the participant-practitioner relationship through the lens of mindfulness
• Integrate your personal mindfulness practice into your work
• Cultivate specific competencies necessary for teaching MBSR, as follows -
- present-centred awareness
- attentional flexibility
- ability to connect theoretical constructs of stress reactivity and enhanced coping with essential qualities of mindfulness meditation practice
• Sensitive and skillful use of:
- group process
- pacing and rhythm
- inquiry and investigation
- clear, direct, inviting language
Practical arrangements for supervision
Supervision is offered either in person or on the phone. This can be organised
individually or in small groups, so that a collegial network can be fostered at the supervisory level.
The Center for Mindfulness also offers a supervision process for people beginning to teach MBSR. See their website for application process. Do some research and find out what will best support you.
Contact Timothea Goddard: tim@opengound.com.au if you are interested in supervision of your MBSR work
