Mindfulness-based Cognitive Group Therapy: Adaptation and Practical Recommendations for Virtual Delivery

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Digital Health
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual services, including telepsychology, to ensure continuity of care for mental health clients.
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been successfully adapted for internet delivery for relapse prevention in various psychiatric disorders.
• Limited literature exists on the effective implementation of virtual group MBCT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidelines for adapting group MBCT to synchronous virtual delivery via videoconference.
• To offer practical recommendations for clinicians and practitioners to overcome challenges in virtual group therapy delivery.

Main Methods:

• Guidelines were developed based on the experience of delivering two synchronous online MBCT groups.
• The groups were conducted in an outpatient mental health clinic setting.
• Focus on adapting MBCT for synchronous virtual delivery using videoconferencing.

Main Results:

• Successful adaptation of group MBCT to a synchronous virtual format was achieved.
• Identified practical challenges and developed strategies for virtual group therapy implementation.
• Experience gained from two online MBCT groups informed the recommendations.

Conclusions:

• Synchronous virtual group MBCT is a feasible and effective method for delivering mental health services.
• The guidelines and recommendations presented can support clinicians in implementing virtual group MBCT.
• This approach helps maintain essential mental health support during public health crises and beyond.