Oxford
Mindfulness
CentreAPPLYING FOR A TRAINEDTEACHER CERTIFICATE

2Preamble
This application process is based on best practice in a range of teaching and research settings and builds
on work collaboratively developed with colleagues at the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice,
Bangor University, and the Mindfulness Network. It may be reviewed and updated as necessary. Whensubmitting your application, please use the version of the handbook on the website at that time.
Please note that throughout this handbook, the terms “supervisor” and “supervision” referto supervision or mentoring of your teaching by a trained supervisor or mentor.
Please read the following information thoroughly before proceeding with your application. If you haveany queries, please contact admin@oxfordmindfulness.org
The application form for the Trained Teacher Certificate can be found here.

Eligibility to apply
You can apply for an OMC Trained Teacher Certificate if you have done your teacher training
with the OMC and you have fulfilled all of the following requirements:(1) Completed the requirements of the OMC Teacher Training as detailed below(2) Taught or co-taught at least two MBCT courses (typically delivered		in an 8-week format)(3) Received at least 20 sessions of supervision of the teaching (individual or group) 					of at least 30 minutes each from a Mindfulness supervisor with experience of the		MBCT curriculum that you are teaching		

You do not need to apply for this Certificate if you have already been assessed as Competent to Teach
MBCT.
NB. You will be asked to provide a statement from your supervisor to support your application.
The OMC may contact them to discuss your application. Please note that your supervisor may
choose to charge you for providing a statement supporting your application.
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3Application processAll templates and guidance documents to support the application can be found on theOMC website here.
The application form will ask you for the following:•

To upload a portfolio of your training, teaching and supervision as
detailed below, using the template provided.

•To upload a supporting statement from your supervisor using the template provided.
Please note that your supervisor may choose to charge you for providing a statement
supporting your application.

•To confirm that you are committed to adhering to a Code of Conduct relevant toyour professional context, and one that includes ethics when teaching mindfulness.

•Payment of the application fee.

Throughout this Handbook, the term MBCT includes MBCT-D, MBCT-L and Finding Peace in a Frantic World

1

Trained Teacher Certificate – February 2022 – v2

4Portfolio requirements
in detailAll templates and guidance documents to support the application can be found on the OMC website here.
Your portfolio must include the following details of your training, teaching and supervision:
1. Evidence that you have completed the Teacher Training in person or online:
1a. In a 12-month cohort, including attendance at all the required workshops
1b. As modules, including:•Module 1: MBCT as a participant•

Module 2: teaching individual practices and exercises in pairs and small groups•

Module 3: a personal practice retreat of at least 4 nights which deepens your experiential
understanding of mindfulness•

Module 4: teaching a curriculum in groups2

The following workshops or provide evidence of equivalent training or experience3						oThe C in MBCT (Cognitive and Behavioral Foundations of MBCT)4		oInquiry in MBCT		o

Orientation and Assessment, and Ethics		

oOrigins of Mindfulness5		

oInclusion and Communication		oImplementation		

Theory of MBCTo		o

Safeguarding		oGroup skills		

oResearch and Evaluation

2

If you completed the Residential Intensive Teacher Training (often referred to as ‘Ammerdown’) before 2019 and have not completed Module 4,please provide evidence of equivalent experience3
The above workshops provide knowledge and understanding which we believe are fundamental to teaching MBCT. However, prior to autumn
2021 they were not all available via the OMC. Therefore, if you trained before the workshops were available, please provide your level ofunderstanding and knowledge on each area of workshops you have not attended. Where possible, we strongly encourage you to join any
missing workshops as continuing development for your teaching, this may be possible via the OMC website under our workshops section,otherwise please talk with your supervisor on how to ensure you are sufficiently skilled in these areas to teach.
4Please note that this is only required if you completed the Residential Intensive Teacher Training (often referred to as ‘Ammerdown’) before
2019. After that date it was included in Module 25

Origins of Mindfulness is equivalent to Introduction to Buddhist Psychology

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2. Evidence that you have taught or co-taught at least two MBCT courses in person or online
3. Details of the teaching context for the courses you have taught
This should include some details of the context in which you were teaching(healthcare, educational, workplace/corporate, criminal justice, general public, etc.);a description of your participant group and any associated vulnerabilities or challenges; and any
adaptations you have made to the MBCT curriculum with an explanation of the rationale behind yourchanges. This should not exceed 500 words.
4. Personal supervision learning statement and evidence that you have received at least 20
sessions of supervision of the teaching (individual or group) of at least 30 minutes each froma Mindfulness supervisor with experience of the MBCT curriculum that you are teachingYour personal supervision learning statement is your opportunity to reflect on the role that supervision hasplayed in the development of your teaching skills, your personal practice and your understanding of thetheoretical underpinnings of MBCT during this time.
It should not exceed 500 words.
You will also be asked for the following information in the portfolio:•Your supervisor’s name and contact email (please make sure you have your supervisor’s permission togive us these details). If you have had more than one supervisor during this period, please give details.

•The number and length of supervision sessions you have received, and the date of the last supervision.

•Confirmation that your supervisor has seen, either live or by video, evidence ofyour guiding practices, inquiry and didactic teaching. If you were not able toprovide your supervisor with recordings, please explain why.

5. A reflective commentary of up to 2500 words
This piece of writing is your opportunity to reflect on your teaching and tell us what you have learned, andhow your teaching skills and your personal practice have developed. Please include the following:•What have you learned from teaching these courses? Have any key issues
or questions emerged for you?

•Have there been any particular obstacles or difficulties?

•

What do you consider to be your main teaching strengths? (please base yourreflection on the domains of the MBI:TAC)

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6•What do you consider to be your main learning needs? (please base yourreflection on the domains of the MBI:TAC)•Has your understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of MBCT developed
as a result of your teaching and supervision and if so, how?

•The relationship between your teaching and your personal practice – has yourpractice developed over this period and if so how? How does your practiceaffect your teaching and vice versa?

•How will you take this learning forward?

•Anything else you would like us to be aware of?

Please present your commentary in a clear and concise form. You can include lists or bullet points. Please
note that you must maintain your participants’ confidentiality at all times.

Portfolio Review
Your portfolio will be reviewed by a member of the OMC training team, who will assess whether yourapplication meets all the criteria for being awarded this Certificate. If your portfolio meets the required
standard, OMC will award you the Trained Teacher Certificate and post it to you. If your portfolio does not
yet meet the required standard, you will be given specific information on what is still needed (e.g. furtherworkshops; further evidence or reflection) and you will be able to re-submit your portfolio when you havecompleted what was required. If your portfolio requires a further review, you may be charged an additional
fee of £30.

Complaint/appeals
If you have a complaint about your portfolio review you should follow the OMC’s
policy for handling complaints which is on our website at the bottom of this page.

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