Employing Experiential Learning as a Tool to Teach Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MCBT) to Latino Social Work Graduate Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this qualitative study, 28 Latino social work graduate students were trained on Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MCBT) through experiential learning. The students explored their self-perceived maladaptive behaviors through three stages of simple observation, advanced observation and intervention. The results indicated that although the students were initially resistant to the process, they moved toward change as they learned to observe their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors openly and nonjudgmentally. This study has implications for social work education in terms of inspiring social work educators to employ unique experiential learning methods in the class environment and provide opportunities for students to address their own problems prior to encountering clients’ maladaptive behaviors in their clinical practicum.