MBAR

Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery

Trainer Certificate Program

PROGRAM

MBAR is a secular mindfulness-based approach promoting recovery from addiction and preventing relapse. The course was developed by Dr. Paramabandhu Groves in collaboration with Valerie Mason-John. It is based on the work of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression authored by Zindel Segal, Mark Williams and John D Teasdale. MBAR is an accredited professional program with the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches.

TRAINING

The MBAR certificate program trains participants to facilitate the entire course or parts of the course in group settings, and through individual sessions in a therapeutic context. We provide the training for Medical, Integrative Health and Addiction professionals, Mindfulness teachers and have   led the program in various addiction, mental health and health environments.

What was it that changed my life? The Miracle of Mindfulness, the Miracle of Kindfulness.

Valerie Mason-John

Becoming an MBAR Trainer

(Part one and two can be done in any order – both are mandatory)


PART ONE

WHAT YOU LEARN

  • Mindfulness & Meditative Techniques
  • Triggers that can create a relapse
  • The Internal Barometer
  • High-Risk Situations
  • Emergency Action Plan.
  • MBAR MODELS: The Vicious Cycle: FIDO: Four Basic Needs of the Heart.

PART TWO

  • Attend a 3 day in person Train the Trainer course  
  • Learn how to deliver the course
  • Learn how to facilitate the Vicious Cycle, FIDO
  • Learn interactive games to help enhance learning
  • Learn how to deliver the Breathing Space
  • Reflect on your own relationship to addiction
  • Facilitate clients to become aware of their internal barometers and triggers, and high-risk situations
  • Eight Step Approach to Addiction
  • Participants will also learn how to run an 8 Step Recovery Meeting, which is an alternative or complement to 12 step meetings, SMART recovery meetings or any other support a person may have to assist their recovery.

PART THREE

  • Deliver the 8-week course
  • One Supervision of delivery of the course in your work/community setting – done via Zoom
  • Write a self-reflection of the course 
  • You are also required to attend a 7 day or longer meditation retreat of your choice, within the year of the training, and write a self-reflection.

Who is Training for?

The training is for experienced meditation practitioners, people with an understanding of mindfulness, and health care providers working in the field of addiction. Preferably people who have completed an 8 week recognized Mindfulness course or have done a Mindfulness Diploma and above. Group skills and teaching skills are also preferred but not an absolute requirement. The training consists of the following.

Outcomes of the Training

  • Understand the MBAR course and be able to co-facilitate a course in your institution as part of your work practice, or local organization/meditation centre
  • Understand the nature of addiction and compulsive behaviors and how it relates to your own life.
  • Understanding of meditation and mindfulness in relation to addiction.
  • Identify your existing skills in working effectively with mindfulness for addictions and compulsive behaviors and increase your confidence in applying them.

 

 

Valerie Mason-John

Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John is an inspirational public speaker and master trainer in the field of conflict transformation, addictions, leadership and mindfulness. She is the award winning author of 8 books, and is the co-founder of Eight Step Recovery – Using The Buddha’s Teaching to Overcome Addiction, an alternative to the 12 steps programs for addiction. Since the publication of the book by Windhorse Publications in 2013, it has won the Best USA Book awards 2014 and Best International book Award 2015 in the self motivational and self help category. Eight Step Meetings are now taking place in the UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, India and Finland.

Valerie is the co-creator of Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR). Valerie is one of the leading African Descent voices in the field of Mindfulness and Addiction, and trains professionals to working in the field of  addiction all over the world. She has been in recovery from bulimia, anorexia nervosa, and recreational substances for many years and has lived a clean and sober life since 2002. She recovered by using meditation and diligently worked a mindfulness recovery programme.

What I have to offer is my recovery.

Valerie Mason-John

"Vimalasara Mason-John is one of the most profound teachers of our time. She leads her studies with love, compassion and lived experience. Her teachings will change the way you see and treat yourself and other living beings." 

— Ani Mac
Addictions Specialist

"Valerie Mason-John is a human in deep recovery, Buddhist teacher, writer, performance artist...the lasting impression is that of striking presence, a genuine person with joyful wisdom extracted from profound suffering." 

 

— Gabor Mate
Addiction Expert.

"Valerie Mason-John clearly understands how to handle anger skillfully, in ways that support the healing of the heart. Because she understands it from her own experience, Valerie is well positioned to help others work with it. If you suffer from anger and don't know what to do about it - this is a book for you ." 

— Sharon Salzberg
Meditation Teacher