This 8 Week Series of Group Classes was developed by depression researchers in Canada, tasked with developing an alternative treatment to anti -depressant medication for people who have had multiple episodes of depression. These researchers studied the underlying mechanisms that produce vulnerability for relapsing episodes. Given what they found, they understood that the most important target of a successful treatment had to be the how one responds to the thoughts and feelings associated with a depressed or anxious brain; rather than focus on changing thoughts and body sensations, people needed ultimately to change their responses to these thoughts and feelings and in doing so, they would get out of the depression anxiety loop. These researchers then worked with Jon Kabat Zinn, who developed Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction to modify that curriculum for people who suffer from depression, and often anxiety as well. Since that time many studies have shown that MBCT is extremely effective, often more than medication, in preventing relapses into another episode of depression and accompanying anxiety. For more detailed information on the research and development of this treatment approach please go to the following links: