In addition to my role as Trustee of The Mindfulness Network, I direct the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, School of Psychology, Bangor University, where I have played a leading role in developing its training and research programme since it was founded in 2001. I teach and train internationally in both Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR). I am also an Occupational Therapist and an integrative counsellor, and previously worked within NHS mental health services for 15 years. I have written MBCT Distinctive Features 2017, co-authored MBCT with People at Risk of Suicide, 2017, co-edited Essential Resources for Mindfulness Teachers, 2021, and is a Principle Fellow with the Higher Education Academy.
Qualifications
- PhD, Bangor University
- MA, University of Wales, Bangor
- PG Diploma in Counselling, University of Wales, Bangor
- Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Dorset House, Oxford
- Principle Fellow with the Higher Education Academy
- Certified MBSR teacher with the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School
- I have completed the Bodhi College Teacher Training Programme
Teaching-Training Specialisms
- MBCT in clinical and research settings particularly for adults with a history of depression
- MBSR for general populations
- Interpersonal mindfulness practice
Personal Practice
I started my engagement with meditation after spending time in India during my late teens in the early eighties. I then took meditation teaching during my college years from Venerable Dr Mettanando who was studying in Oxford, and subsequently went to Thailand to live with a group of laywomen within his root temple to continue my training.
I was introduced to mindfulness in the context of mainstream delivery during the mid-nineties when Mark Williams was developing MBCT. This exploration opened up and re-energised my practice in new ways. Over the years since then, I have sought teaching from Western vipassana teachers, and from teachers within the mindfulness-based teaching context including Jon Kabat-Zinn, Saki Santorelli, Ferris Urbanowski, Melissa Blacker, Gregory Kramer, Martin Aylward and Christina Feldman. I am currently training with the Bodhi College to build my skills as a retreat lead. I also love movement practice and attend a weekly yoga class, and enjoy other informal movement practices in everyday life.
Research Activities and Interests
My research focuses on how the evidence on mindfulness-based interventions can be implemented with integrity into practice settings. I am particularly interested in investigating the qualities of the teacher and how we can reliably assess teaching competence.
Publications
Please visit here to see my university profile and publications.
Further Information
I can be contacted via email at r.crane@bangor.ac.uk.
