Interview to Prof. Fabrizio Didonna on MBCT for OCD by Psagot Institute - Tel Aviv

Who is qualified to lead MBCT for OCD?
Working with OCD using a mindfulness-based approach can be a challenging task and requires clinical experience with this kind of disorder, training and experience in leading mindfulness groups and regular personal meditation practice. For this reason, mental health professionals who want to be trained in and provide MBCT for OCD would preferably have the following characteristics:
1. Have been trained and certified in mental health, such as clinical psychologists, therapists and psychiatrists, and have experience in treating individuals with OCD or been trained in using an effective treatment model, preferably CBT, to help people with this kind of disorder.
2. Be experienced mindfulness instructors who are familiar with OCD and are trained in working with this kind of disorder, and who have a good understanding of and experience in therapeutic interventions for psychiatric disorders.
In order to learn how to use MBCT for OCD and effectively implement the program in a group or individual setting, it is important that future instructors:
1. attend a formal training program for MBCT for OCD with certified teachers;
2. regularly practice mindfulness;
3. attend a 11-session MBCT for OCD group (or in alternative an MBCT or MBSR group) as a participant;
4. seek out and get supervision by a certified MBCT for OCD supervisor whenever possible in person or through live or recorded video when this is not possible.
Adapted from Didonna, F (2018). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. New York: Guilford
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