Indigenous Initiative

The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM) Certification Program in Mind-Body Medicine is designed for individuals who have successfully completed the Professional and Advanced Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine and who want to take this work to the highest level. It is not limited to licensed health or mental health professions. The Certification Program offers over 108 hours of in-depth training in mind-body medicine and provides a broad-based curriculum that supports and provides resources for a wide range of topics and experiences that come up in the clinical practice of mind-body medicine. The program also provides participants with ongoing supervision, in-depth teaching, and one-on-one support. Through the Certification Program, you will enhance your facilitation skills, increase your understanding of the model, and incorporate self-care skills into your own life in a much deeper way. Upon completion, you will be thoroughly prepared to lead Mind-Body Skills Groups with diverse communities, integrate mind-body medicine into your institution/community, and develop unique applications for clinical practice, educational programs, and community building. 

To further our commitment to the creation of a sustainable Mind-Body Medicine project, CMBM is offering this program to you at substantial savings. We believe that the more supervised practice you have with this model, the stronger your facilitation skills will become and your understanding of the model will be more beneficial in your life and your practice. 

We have modified the requirements of our standard Certification Program to enable Indigenous Initiative project participants to apply a portion of the hours already spent in group facilitation (with CMBM supervision) toward your Certification in Mind-Body Medicine. Specific guidelines for this credit are outlined below and will be considered in conjunction with feedback from your CMBM faculty supervisor(s).

CMBM is a recognized leader in the field of mind-body medicine. Since 1991, we have trained thousands of health and education professionals around the globe in the practice of Mind-Body Skills Groups. As our program grew, we wanted to find a way to recognize those who are the most highly skilled leaders and teachers of our work - our Certification Program does just that. We set a high standard of excellence for graduates of the program.

When you become certified by us, you join a highly selective group of mind-body medicine leaders. CMBM Certified practitioners are recognized as having specialized knowledge in and an exceptional mastery of Mind-Body Skills Group facilitation skills. Once certified by us, you will:

• Become a part of our Certified Alumni group. Certification is also a prerequisite for being considered for an internship at a CMBM training and clinical supervisor or faculty position​

• Be listed on the Certified Alumni Directory on the CMBM website for referrals​

• Ability to advertise your online groups on the CMBM website​

• Receive a designated diploma​

• Gain permission to use CMBM Certified Practitioner logo​

• Have a recognized specialty that may enhance your professional opportunities

The process for admission into the CMBM Certification program is outlined here and described more fully below. The steps, in order, are: 

I. Completion of the Initial and Advanced Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine

II. Assessment of Supervision and Group Hours

III. Application to and Acceptance into the Certification Program

IV. Completion of a Practicum with CMBM Supervision *A portion of the hours you spent in group facilitation and supervision during the practicum phase of the Indigenous Initiative project may be credited towards Certification practicum hours.

V. Completion of an Abbreviated Group 

VI. Submission of Independent Study Coursework (3 papers)

VII. Completion of a Second Advanced Training Program-Certification Track

I.  Completion of the Initial and Advanced Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine

In order to apply for Certification, you must have fully participated in and completed both the Initial Training Program and Advanced Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine.

II.  Assessment of Supervision and Group Hours

Once you have completed at least one Mind-Body Skills group with CMBM supervision, please submit an interest form here that tells us about the group you facilitated and how many hours you participated in CMBM supervision. Once we have that information from you, we will be able to calculate the number of hours accumulated as well as those still outstanding. 

A critical component of CMBM supervision is the submission of Process Notes. Your compliance with this aspect of the training will be a factor in the calculation of hours credited. Because each group setting and supervision situation is individual, we reserve the right to adjust the credit given for completed groups based on details you and your supervisor provide. This is so we can ensure that our Certification candidates have the highest level of training that is necessary to maintain our standard of excellence and our credibility with the public. 

It should be noted that submission of this interest form does not guarantee acceptance into this Certification program. Entry is based on an evaluation of the applicant’s knowledge and understanding of the CMBM model as well as their innate capacity to self-reflect and grow. Although we hope to welcome all who apply, on occasion we may ask an applicant to spend more time working with the skills before granting acceptance to the Certification Program. 

After you’ve submitted the interest form, please wait until you hear from us before applying. 

III.   Application, Tuition, and Enrollment Policies

Application: After review of the interest form, CMBM will contact you from certification@cmbm.org to let you know about your application status and remaining requirements. If invited to formally enroll in the Certification Program, you will then need to complete a 2-part online application. CMBM will send this application to you - please complete it in a timely manner in order to formally enroll and receive all relevant Certification Program info.

Tuition: The cost for the CMBM Certification Program is traditionally $4,250. We have a limited number of full scholarships available. For non-scholarship recipients, we are able to offer discounted tuition of $3500. We offer 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month payment plans, but we also can work with you on a custom payment plan if needed.

This tuition includes:

• 18 hours videoconferencing supervision, emailing and planning with CMBM supervisor, including process note submission (supervision for two 8-week groups)

• 16 sessions facilitating Mind-Body Skills groups (two 8-week groups)

• Abbreviated Group

• Review & support for 3 Certification papers

• Advanced Training - Certification Track tuition (This DOES NOT include accommodations, travel or food for Advanced Training - Certification Track if held in-person).

Enrollment Terms & Conditions: If accepted into the Certification Program through the Indigenous Initiative project, all Certification candidates will be required to attend our Online Advanced Training Program - Certification Track on December 6, 9-12, 2024 and complete all remaining requirements (any groups, abbreviated group, papers, etc.) by the time of the training due to our grant timelines.

CMBM will not award a Certification diploma unless all the above described program content/criteria are satisfactorily completed. We are also not able to proceed without completed payments. We set a high standard of excellence for graduates of our Certification Program. CMBM Certified practitioners are recognized as having specialized knowledge in and an exceptional mastery of mind-body group facilitation skills, and we take this seriously. In practice, this means that every year a percentage of the Certification candidates are asked to complete additional work to reach the desired level of facilitation - this might mean leading another group with supervision or an extra abbreviated group (incorporating feedback received at the Advanced Training-Certification Track). This additional work with CMBM's support is usually sufficient for the candidate to become Certified. We are noting this here for the sake of being transparent about the process, and to make sure all candidates have the expectation of keeping their minds open, their cup empty and their learning ongoing. 

In an effort to facilitate a positive experience for its program attendees, CMBM reserves the right to remove from attendance and from enrollment at any current or upcoming CMBM event or activity, anyone whose actions, in CMBM's discretion and judgment, are disruptive or would interfere with the program or the attendees. In such circumstances, CMBM retains the discretion to grant or withhold refunds of registration fees, in full or in part.

IV.  Practicum with CMBM Supervision

Standard supervision requirements for CMBM’s Certification Program include a minimum of: 

• 16 sessions facilitating (independently or with a co-facilitator) a Mind-Body Skills Group with regular, concurrent supervision provided by a CMBM senior faculty member

• 18 hours of videoconferencing and email planning during supervision, including timely submission of process notes prior to your supervision call

If your experience during the practicum phase of the Indigenous Initiative project met the qualifying guidelines of our Certification program (see Qualifying Criteria below), some of the hours that you spent in group facilitation and in supervision will likely count toward your Certification requirements. We will determine the number of hours you have accrued based on our records and in collaboration with you and your CMBM supervisor. 

On occasion, it may be necessary for candidates to receive additional supervision beyond the required hours to qualify for Certification. The Center for Mind-Body Medicine reserves the right to require additional paid supervision, if necessary, before Certification is granted. 

V.  Abbreviated Group

An abbreviated group is an opportunity for certification candidates to practice, get feedback in preparation for their second Advanced Training Program. It is four 1.5 hour sessions, conducted once a week with 6 participants in the group and a group leader who will be a CMBM faculty. The CMBM faculty will lead the first group and the following 3 groups, candidates will co-facilitate and lead sessions.

This will be done online via Zoom and will occur before you attend ATP - Certification Track. We typically offer abbreviated groups in the spring, summer, and fall. Our next groups will be offered in mid-late September and October and will send out email signups closer to that date. Once confirmed, you will receive the Zoom link and faculty details. 

VI. Independent Study Coursework

Three papers are required for Certification and are to be completed before you return for your second Advanced Training Program: Case Study Paper, Application of Mind-Body Science Paper and Personal Process Paper. The purpose of these papers is to:

• Deepen your own self-awareness of your journey as a facilitator

• Expand your understanding of the CMBM model

• Broaden your knowledge of the science of Mind-Body Medicine. 

Please click here to read more about the required papers.

VII. Advanced Training Program II - Certification Track 

After you have completed your group and supervision requirements during the Practicum phase, abbreviated group, three papers and have demonstrated a satisfactory level of skill in leading a Mind-Body Skills Group, you will attend a second Advanced Mind-Body Medicine Training in a designated “Certification Track”. The fee for this Advanced Training is already included in the Certification tuition. As noted, please plan to attend our Online Advanced Training Program - Certification Track on December 6, 9-12, 2024. We will send a special invite to register closer to the training date.

The Advanced Training-Certification Track is one of several elements to determine readiness to become a Certified Mind-Body Medicine Practitioner. Input from your supervisor, paper completion and content, feedback from your Abbreviated Group leader and your Advanced Training-Certification Track faculty are all considered in this process. Your Advanced Training-Certification Track faculty member will give you one-on-one feedback on your facilitation and whether this portion of Certification requirements has been fulfilled (this might be scheduled during or right after the training). Please be advised that a final decision about readiness to become Certified will not be rendered until a minimum of 3 weeks after the Advanced Training.

In addition to the criteria stated above in Section IV: Practicum with CMBM Supervision, the following criteria MUST be met in order for your hours in practicum and supervision to be accepted and credited toward Certification requirements:

1. Your supervisor will be selected by CMBM

2. You will be supervised for the mind-body skills groups you are actively leading (concurrent supervision).

3. You actively participate in the supervision calls (i.e. looking at what is happening in the group and in you as the facilitator).

4. You keep and submit process notes on each group session and send these to your supervisor at least 24 hours before each call.

5. You adhere as closely as possible to the CMBM model. This means:

• Session length: Each session should be 2 hours (unless working with kids then 1-1.5 hours)

• Group size: 7-9 members. These should be the same group members (ie, no drop-in groups), unless approved in advance by your supervisor.

• Group length: 8 weeks, with one session per week. Exceptions may be made BUT must be discussed with and approved by your supervisor in advance.

6. Group format follows the CMBM model so that each group includes:

• Opening meditation

• Check-in

• Didactic presentation(s)

• Experiential exercise(s)

• Sharing

• Closing meditation

In other words, while the model is very flexible, the core format, model and intention of the

Mind-Body Skills Group must be kept in place for credit toward Certification hours. Please follow the group formats included in the documents provided at the Advanced Training Program. Certification candidates are expected to learn the CMBM model before trying to change it. Please keep true to the CMBM model for the group you are running during supervision. Do not just add these skills to an existing group you are already running.  Any changes outside of this model (number of group sessions, number of participants, spacing of group sessions, length of each group session, etc) MUST be discussed and approved by your supervisor before applying them in your group.

7. Co-facilitation hours will be accepted as long as you submit your own process notes and participate fully in supervision meetings.