Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
"You can do something for yourself to improve your own health and well-being."
What is MBSR?
Developed in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course is considered to be the “gold standard” of mindfulness-based trainings. With its well documented success and ever-growing body of research into its effectiveness, the MBSR course has grown exponentially and is now offered throughout the world: in clinical settings, education, business, government, correctional facilities, and more.
MBSR starts with cultivating present moment attention in an open, nonjudgmental way.
And, it’s open to everyone seeking greater awareness, balance, ease and happiness.
Benefits of MBSR
-
A greater sense of aliveness, joy, connection & contentment
-
An increased ability to focus; a quieter mind
-
Emotional balance and regulation
-
Improved ability to meet high-stress situations
-
Improved general health and improved pain management
-
Better sleep
-
An improved sense of well-being
-
Improved impulse control: responding to life with more intention, choice and wisdom
-
Reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression and loneliness
-
A greater ability to be kind to yourself
-
Reduction in difficult physical and psychological symptoms
Meet Jessica, founder of The Mindful Journey, and learn more about the MBSR course:
MBSR: What to Expect
In a supportive, welcoming, and safe community circle, you will be introduced to many forms of mindfulness practices (body scan, sitting meditation, mindful movement, and several informal mindfulness practices) and invited to devote time each day to personal practice. Your commitment to yourself and willingness to engage with mindfulness practices with curiosity, will be an essential component of the course.
This course will involve learning to see yourself and the world around you in new ways, learning to work in new ways with your body, thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.
Some of the themes we explore in the MBSR course are: working with difficult emotions, understanding how perception influences our relationship to stressful events, mindful communication, the power of being present, and awareness of automatic, habitual, conditioned patterns.
The full course consists of:
- An Orientation (~2.5 hours)
- 8 weekly sessions, meeting 2.5 hours per week
- An All-Day retreat on a weekend
- Daily home practice
(~45 minutes each day which includes
recorded guided meditations and experiential practices.)
Additionally, please note the first class may go up to a half an hour longer and the last class may go up to an hour longer.
Full attendance for the duration of the course is highly recommended, as the content and experiential practice builds on itself as the course unfolds.
I want to enroll in MBSR. What are my next steps?
Come to orientation
Attend a brief, virtual, 1:1 Q&A with Jessica following orientation
Receive welcome email
Submit informed consent form
Make payment for the course
Show Up!
Upcoming MBSR Course
Orientation: Friday, April 10, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:30pm
Class Dates: Fridays, April 17 - June 5
Class Time: 6:00 - 8:30pm
All Day Retreat: May 16, 9:30am - 5:00pm
Location: Friends Meeting House
57 Hunting Lodge Road, Mansfield, CT
Exchange (Sliding Scale): $499 | $575 | $650
Apply by April 6
(later applications will be considered as space allows)
Not sure? Want to meet Jessica and ask some questions first? No problem!
Join Jessica for an Information Session:
Tuesday, March 31 | 8:15-8:55am | Zoom
If you would like the support of a payment plan, please reach out to Jessica at themindfuljourney@hotmail.com.
If cost is a barrier, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we offer scholarships to help make this course more accessible.