New Mindfulness-Based Programme Acknowledgement
Have you developed a Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP) or adapted a recognised MBP to meet the needs of a particular population or context?
If so, would you like to have your programme acknowledged as:
▪️ A programme meeting the criteria for definition as a Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP)
▪️ Adhering to standards of quality and integrity
▪️ Eligible for registration on BAMBA Teacher Listings
▪️ Being safe and effective
▪️ Being innovative, in the sense that it meets the needs of a population or context not currently provided for by an existing MBP
▪️ Contributing to the flourishing of mindfulness?
The information on this page will explain the background, the reasons for and the process to having your mindfulness-based programme acknowledged.
The Need for MBP Acknowledgement
Following the increased mainstream interest of mindfulness programmes such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), BAMBA recognises the need to develop clear criteria for the acknowledgment of new programmes in order to:
- Provide standards to ensure quality and integrity in the programmes being offered
- To provide an inclusive and accessible pathway for new approaches wishing to join national associations
- To enable innovation and to support the relevance, evolution and flourishing of the field
Background
In 2019, VMBN (Vereniging Mindfulness Based Trainers Nederland), the Dutch Association of Mindfulness-Based Trainers, founded the MBP-Taskforce for the evaluation of Mindfulness-Based Programs.
In 2020, they joined forces with BAMBA and, with consultations from colleagues in Brown, Oxford and Bangor Universities developed a process which would enable the international recognition of new Mindfulness-Based Programmes (MBPs).
Following a pilot test, consultation with the authors of the seminal papers “What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft.” and “Mindfulness-Based Programs: Why, When and How to Adapt?” and the collaboration with eamba (the European Associations for Mindfulness) to form the International Panel for the Acknowledgement of Mindfulness-Based Programs (IPA), the process has now been implemented and is ready for applications.
Who are the International Panel for the Acknowledgement of Mindfulness-Based Programs (IPA)?
The International Panel for the Acknowledgement of Mindfulness-Based Programs (IPA) consists of a pool of international mindfulness professionals – teachers and academics – and operates independently under the umbrella of eamba (European Associations for Mindfulness).
They have the responsibility of evaluating applications, whether they are for newly developed or adapted programmes.
IPA-Acknowledged Programmes
Programmes that are successful in their application will be classed as being ‘IPA-Acknowledged’, they will be announced on the eamba website and will be eligible to appear on the list of programmes recognised by BAMBA.
Please note – recognition of a mindfulness-based program by the IPA does not include accreditation of training pathways or training institutions that deliver MBP’s. Acknowledgement as a mindfulness-based programme is an important first step that can lead to the accreditation of mindfulness-based training and certification of teachers who have successfully trained to deliver recognised MBP’s.
Criteria for IPA Acknowledgement: In Summary
The criteria for acknowledgement as a Mindfulness-based Programme, rest on definitions outlined in the seminal paper ‘What defines Mindfulness-based Programs: The warp and the weft’ (Crane et al. 2017) and process recommendations laid out in the sister paper ‘Mindfulness-based Programs: Why, when and how to adapt?’ (Loucks, 2022).
Expectations around evidence-based process development of new programmes apply.
Feasibility, acceptability, potency, safety and potential contraindications should have been scientifically examined (Loucks, 2022).
Flexibility is applied to new approaches that do not, as yet, have a robust evidence base. In such cases this may be supplemented by evidence for component parts of the approach and informed planning for future scientific rigor. Categories of recognition (A-E) reflect the current status of the evidence base.
Future applications for revised categorisation will be accepted annually.
Criteria for IPA Acknowledgement: In Detail
In order for an MBP to receive IPA Acknowledgment, the programme must be:
- Informed by theories and practices that draw upon a meeting of contemplative traditions, science and the major disciplines of medicine, psychology and education
- Based upon a model of human experience that identifies some of the causes of human suffering and possible ways of relieving it
- Develops a new way of being with experience that uses present moment focus, de-centring and an approach orientation
- Allows and supports the development of greater attentional, emotional and behavioural self-regulation and cultivates compassion, wisdom and equanimity
- Enables the participant to develop insight and understanding into their experience through sustained, intensive training in mindfulness meditation practice and an experiential inquiry-based learning process
In addition:
- Adapted curriculum elements are integrated with essential components and are needed and appropriate to specific contexts and populations
- Structure, length and delivery are appropriate to the population and context
- The development team has appropriate knowledge, training, and experience
- Adaptations from existing MBPs follow recommended development procedure (i.e. 8 steps to adaptation (Loucks, 2022) or, demonstrate plans to attend to the recommendations retrospectively based on ‘What defines Mindfulness-based programs: The warp and the weft’ (Crane et al. 2017) and ‘Mindfulness-based Programs: Why, when and how to adapt?’ (Loucks, 2022)
What is a Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP)?
A Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP) can be defined as being:
“…informed by theories and practices that draw from a confluence of contemplative traditions, science, and the major disciplines of medicine, psychology and education; underpinned by a model of human experience which addresses the causes of human distress and the pathways to relieving it; develop a new relationship with experience characterized by present moment focus, decentring and an approach orientation; catalyse the development of qualities such as joy, compassion, wisdom, equanimity and greater attentional, emotional and behavioural self-regulation, and engage participants in a sustained intensive training in mindfulness meditation practice’.”
(R. S. Crane, J. Brewer, C. Feldman, J. Kabat-Zinn, S. Santorelli, J. M. G. Williams, W. Kuyken)
IPA-Acknowledgment: The Application and Evaluation Process in Detail
If you are ready to make your application, please read the following steps in full prior to making your application.
The Application and Evaluation Process
Overview
If you would like to apply for a Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP) you have developed to be IPA-Acknowledged, you can do so via the new 2-phase application process.
If you need any support during your application process, please reach out to us at [email protected]
Phase 1 (Pre-Screening) will establish:
(a) whether the programme meets the needs of a population or context that is not currently provided for by an already existing MBP
(b) if the programme was development with safety in mind
Phase 2 (Full Screening):
If a programme passes the Pre-Screening phase, its developers will be invited to submit an application for Full Screening.
The programme will then be reviewed by the IPA panel which examines:
(a) whether the programme meets the criteria for definition as a Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP) and if so,
(b) whether the evidence base shows that the programme is safe and effective
Please note: Programmes will be classified as having either an ‘established’ or an ‘emergent’ evidence base, conveying the current state of evidence in support of a program’s efficacy and safety.
Both experiential and scientific knowledge may complement each other in defining the value of a new programme. Researchers are encouraged to consider programs listed as ‘emergent’ as potentially valuable routes for future scientific inquiry.
The cost for the combined pre and full screening process starts from 250 GBP and may vary based on complexity of application and / or workload required for assessing the programme based on the information provided by the applicant in the pre-screening phase. The IPA aims to keep costs and therefore access to programme recognition to a minimum and is proud to be a not for profit process.
Application Outcomes
Following the above process, there are three possible outcomes regarding the status of the MBP recognition:
A. Unconditionally Granted
If unconditionally granted, the MBP will be directly announced on the eamba website
B. Conditionally Granted (pending requested adjustments)
If the conditions under this status are accepted and adjustments are made by the applicant, the MBP will then be announced on the eamba website
C. Not Granted
There will be no announcement on the eamba website
Please note:
- Acknowledgement is valid for a period of three years
- Interim adjustments to the training curriculum by the developer of the Mindfulness-Based Programme (MBP) must be explained in writing to IPA by submitting an amendment
- Three years after the application, all related files will be deleted from the server, unless you apply for a renewal of the review of the MBP
- Criteria and procedures for renewal are yet to be published
We are here to help!
The team at BAMBA and its partners are open to new ideas and want to hear from you.
If you would like support with the application process for the acknowledgment of a new programme or for the development of a new project or innovation then Contact us.
BAMBA’s activities are only made possible through membership and voluntary support.
Should you wish to donate, your donation will be used to continue the maintenance of standards and inclusive access to mindfulness-based training in the UK.
We are grateful for your contribution to this vital work.