The origins of MBCT trace back to a distinctive practice known as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). In the late 1970s, Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School laid the groundwork for MBSR. Kabat-Zinn, a trained microbiologist with a profound meditation background, sought to help individuals experiencing chronic pain and physical conditions like psoriasis that were exacerbated by stress.
Through this endeavor, he introduced a secular eight-session program known as MBSR, designed to enhance the mind-body connection using mindfulness. Over the years, a wealth of research has pointed to the success of MBSR for both psychological and physical conditions.