Grounded in extensive research and clinical experience, this book describes how to adapt mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for participants who struggle with recurrent suicidal thoughts and impulses. Clinicians and mindfulness teachers are presented with a comprehensive framework for understanding suicidality and its underlying vulnerabilities. The preliminary intake interview and each of the eight group mindfulness sessions of MBCT are discussed in detail, highlighting issues that need to be taken into account with highly vulnerable people. Assessment guidelines are provided and strategies for safely teaching core mindfulness practices are illustrated with extensive case examples. The book also discusses how to develop the required mindfulness teacher skills and competencies. Purchasers get access to a companion website featuring downloadable audio recordings of the guided mindfulness practices, narrated by Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale. (Published in hardcover as Mindfulness and the Transformation of Despair: Working with People at Risk of Suicide.)

See also Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, Second Edition, by Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale, the authoritative presentation of MBCT.

"The book is the culmination of an ambitious decade-long effort to develop and refine an effective treatment for the subgroup of depressed patients who are most susceptible to suicidal behavior--those with histories of early maltreatment, an early onset, recurrent episodes, and incomplete recovery. The authors comprehensively present their adaptation of MBCT, provide guidelines for training and supervision, and summarize the results of a recent clinical trial. This is useful and fascinating material for clinicians treating this highly challenging group of patients."--Daniel N. Klein, PhD, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University

"MBCT has established an admirable track record for preventing relapse into depression. But can a program based on mindfulness meditation be safely applied to people suffering from vulnerability to suicide? The authors take us on a scholarly and compassionate journey that lasted over a decade, pointing out the specific adaptations they made to the MBCT program and why. This book represents an important advance for mindfulness-based psychotherapy, an impressive model for how to develop an evidence-based treatment, and a rich resource for anyone who wishes to understand and treat the dilemma of suicide."--Christopher Germer, PhD, private practice, Arlington, Massachusetts

"This book examines despair and suicidality with a keen eye. It is a beautiful illustration of how to bring astute observation to an important clinical problem and develop and test a theory-based intervention. The authors present an innovative adaptation of MBCT that helps individuals uncouple suicidality from depressed mood, decrease cognitive reactivity and suicidal thinking, and increase awareness and self-compassion. Importantly, their research demonstrates the particular effectiveness of this approach for the most vulnerable, those who experienced childhood trauma."--Stuart J. Eisendrath, MD, Director, UCSF Depression Center, University of California, San Francisco

"Taking up a sensitive and painful topic, this book lays out a comprehensive course for helping suicidal patients using MBCT. Williams et al. explain suicidality through evolutionary logic and grapple directly with the most treacherous aspects of working with this population. The authors argue that MBCT helps to make autobiographical memories more specific, thus addressing a crucial vulnerability factor in suicidality. The volume covers a lot of ground. It provides multiple mindfulness and movement exercises aimed to reduce suicidal thoughts and restore patients on a path of well-being."--Elliot Jurist, Professor of Psychology and Philosophy, The Graduate Center and the City College of New York, City University of New York

“Extremely accessible, informative, and engaging, this outstanding book is a &&&39;must read&&&39; for anyone with an interest in understanding suicidal despair and its treatment. It is unusual in a single volume to find such a comprehensive description of the science of suicide risk as well as a detailed overview of how to adapt and implement MBCT. The inclusion of the case studies, such as &&&39;Jane&&&39;s story,&&&39; is really helpful."--Rory C. O’Connor, PhD, Director, Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

1. Introduction
I. Theoretical and Research Background
2. The Origins of Despair: An Evolutionary Perspective
3. Why the Idea of Suicide Won&&&39;t Let Go
4. How Could Mindfulness Help?: Doing and Being
II. MBCT for Those at Risk of Suicide
5. Assessing Vulnerability to Depression and Suicidality
6. Developing the Preclass Interview: Encouraging Vulnerable Participants to Engage in and Persist with Mindfulness Meditation
7. Session 1: Awareness and Automatic Pilot
8. Session 2: Living in Our Heads
9. Session 3: Gathering the Scattered Mind
10. Session 4: Recognizing Aversion
11. Session 5: Allowing/Letting Be
12. Session 6: Thoughts Are Not Facts
13. Session 7: How Can I Best Take Care of Myself?
14. Session 8: Maintaining and Extending New Learning
15. How Does MBCT Enable Transformation?: Jane&&&39;s Story
III. Training Teachers and Defining Competence
16. MBCT Teaching Integrity: Assessing Mindfulness-Based Teaching Skills
17. The Experience of Being an MBCT Teacher
IV. MBCT--The Results
18. Mindfulness on Trial: Does MBCT Help People at Risk of Suicide?
Further Reading and Resources
References