Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy – Life (MBCT-L) Mindfulness for Life Courses
Overview
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) or Mindfulness for Life is a mindfulness-based approach designed to help us live with greater clarity, resilience, and emotional balance. It draws on both mindfulness practices and cognitive-behavioural strategies to support well-being, not only in times of challenge but also in everyday life. Instead of getting caught up in unhelpful patterns of thinking or reacting, we learn to notice them with openness and curiosity. By cultivating present-moment awareness, we can relate to our thoughts and feelings in a way that reduces their hold over us.
Through guided mindfulness practices, reflection, and group discussions, MBCT-L encourages us to respond to life’s ups and downs with greater skill and kindness. It is not about avoiding difficulties, but about meeting them with steadiness and compassion, creating the space to choose how we wish to live. In this evidence-based programme, you will discover lifelong learning tools to support emotional resilience, nurture mental well-being, and live more fully in the here-and-now.
Is This Course For You?
This course is open to anyone who wishes to enhance their mental well-being, build resilience, and deepen their mindfulness practice. It is suitable for both beginners and those with prior mindfulness experience, including graduates of MBSR or other mindfulness-based courses. While MBCT-L is not a treatment programme, it can be particularly helpful for those wanting to prevent stress from escalating or to maintain positive mental health.
If you have any acute or chronic mental or physical health conditions, please contact Mindfulness Initiative @ SMU to arrange a conversation with your course instructor (via email, phone, or in person) to ensure the course is suitable for you. Instructors may, at their discretion, advise against participation if it is not in your best interest. In such cases, the full course fee will be refunded.
Course Dates & Times
*Note: As part of the course requirements, participants are required to attend the orientation session and complete the pre-course screening questionnaire.
Mindfulness Initiative @ SMU may have to cancel a course if not enough participants sign up. Cancellations will be announced as soon as a cancellation decision has been made and can be made up until the day before the course starts. In case of cancellation, a full refund of the course fee will be given.
SMU is conveniently located in the city centre and easily accessible via public transportation (e.g. MRT stations Bras Basah, Bencoolen, City Hall, and Dhoby Ghaut). In case you intend to arrive by car, feel free to contact us about car parking options at SMU (mindfulness@smu.edu.sg). Depending on the Covid-19 situation and resulting government and university policies, the Mindfulness Initiative @ SMU may move classes to online mode.
Course Format
The course consists of 9 sessions in total. Interested applicants are encouraged to register only if they can attend all sessions or expect to miss no more than 1-2 session of the course. To ascertain participants' readiness and suitability, applicants will be required to complete a pre-course questionnaire. The sessions consist of guided mindfulness practices (including gentle mindful movements), instructor-led mindful enquiry, group sharing, and a limited amount of instructor presentations:
- 8 weekly sessions (2 hours 30 mins)
- Format: In-person
- Includes:
- Guided mindfulness practices
- Simple cognitive-behavioral tools
- Group reflection and inquiry
- Home practice (with handouts and audio recordings)
- Full-day retreat (between weeks 5 and 6)
In addition to attending the sessions, participants are expected to engage in regular formal and informal home practices of about 30-60 minutes daily. The DOM is typically on a Saturday between Sessions 5 and 6. Please refer to the course dates in the table above. Participants will be provided with course materials such as audio-guided mindfulness practices (included in the course fee).
At the end of the course, a Course Participation Certificate will be issued to participants with a minimum attendance of 6 evening sessions and Day of Mindfulness. The certification for this 8-week MBCT-L course is a pre-requisite to the MBCT-L Teacher Training Intensive (MBCT-L-TT) programme.
By the end of the course:
- A greater ability to manage stress and anxiety
- A deeper sense of calm and steadiness in daily life
- Improved concentration and self-awareness
- A shift from reacting automatically to responding mindfully
- Better sleep and emotional regulation
- A more compassionate and supportive relationship with themselves
You’ll also gain practical, lifelong tools you can continue using well after the course ends.
MBCT-L is suitable for anyone who:
- Feels caught in stress, anxiety, or habitual reactivity
- Wants to improve their mental and emotional well-being
- Is curious about mindfulness or looking to deepen an existing practice
- Is navigating transitions, burnout, or emotional overwhelm
- Would like to cultivate self-compassion and clarity
You do not need any prior experience in mindfulness or meditation — just an open mind and a willingness to explore your inner experience.
Course Fees
The fee for this course is $695 (inclusive of GST). An invoice would be sent to you prior to course commencement. Your enrolment into the course is only confirmed after the completion of a pre-course questionnaire and payment. To explore alternative payment options other than credit card, please contact us at mindfulness@smu.edu.sg.
Large discounts are available for our past mindfulness graduates and the SMU Community . If this applies to you, please contact us at mindfulness@smu.edu.sg for more information.
Kindly note that this is the pilot course. and not Skillsfuture funded yet.
Cancellation, Refund, Transfer, and Withdrawal Policy:
All cancellations must be received in writing via email to mindfulness@smu.edu.sg before the start of the first session of the course. A refund of the course fee minus administrative charges of $100 will be given if the cancellation is received in writing at the latest four days (96 hours) before the start of the first course session (not including any orientation session). No refunds will be given for cancellations later than four days (96 hours) before the start of the first course session. Processing time of the refund of course fees minus administrative charges would take 6 to 8 weeks. Participants may withdraw from a course at any time. In the case of withdrawal, no refund and no certificate of completion will be given. Sometimes, participants request transfer to a later course or to take specific sessions in a later course. Such arrangements are complicated, partly because most of our courses are fully booked. Therefore, consideration of such requests will be at our sole discretion and participants may not transfer into or take specific sessions during the next course or any later courses unless with our explicit permission.
