Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy.D. is a leading figure in the education, research, and practice of character strengths that are found in all human beings. He is creator of Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP), an evidence-based program that integrates the science and practice of mindfulness and character strengths. It is the first, and one of the only mindfulness programs in the world to offer an alternative to the deficit-based approach, by targeting what’s best in people rather than targeting problems.
Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP)
Live Course
Select the course that fits your schedule. Full list of times/dates below.
$499.00 USD
2025 Course Offerings
January - March 2025 - Saturdays
Saturdays, January 11- March 8 12 - 2 PM (Sessions 1 and Sessions 8 are 12:00 - 2:30 PM) Eastern
Retreat: Saturday Feburary 22, 12:00 PM - 5:00PM Eastern
Facilitator: Danielle Casioppo
February - March 2025
February 19 – April 9, 2025
Wednesdays, 10:00AM – 12:00PM Eastern
Retreat: Friday, March 28, 8:00AM – 1:00PM Eastern
Led by Dr. Roger Bretherton
May - June 2025
May 7 - June 25, 2024
Wednesdays, 3:00 AM - 5:00 AM Eastern/8:00 AM - 10:00 AM BST
Retreat: Friday, June 13, 3:00 AM - 8:00 AM Eastern/8:00 AM- 1:00 PM BST
Led by Dr. Roger Bretherton
September - October 2025
September 9 - October 28, 2025
Tuesdays, 12:00PM - 2:00PM Eastern
Retreat: Friday, October 25, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Eastern
Led by Dr. Ryan Niemiec
Live courses, of 8 weekly sessions including 1 half-day virtual retreat.
2025 Course Facilitators
Dr. Ryan Niemiec, founder of MBSP and Chief Science and Education Officer at VIA.
Danielle Casioppo, Education Specialist with Being Well at Yale and Certified MBSP Instructor.
Dr Roger Bretherton Clinical Psychologist & Programme Director at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
About this Mindfulness Course
Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) is a live, 8-week evidence-based program that teaches you how to enhance well-being, improve relationships and manage life problems and challenges. Learn how to apply research-based mindfulness and character strengths practices to engage more deeply with life. You will also receive your personalized Mindfulness and Character Strengths Report to discover how you rate on the 5 mindfulness skills.
Interested in Certification?
MBSP Certification prepares you to deliver MBSP to your groups. This eight-week Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice course is a requirement for certification. Learn more about MBSP Certification.
What Will You Gain from this Mindfulness Course?
MBSP teaches you practical tips and techniques to use mindfulness and strengths to flourish. Mindfulness allows you to explore who you are, and how to activate the qualities that make you feel authentic, alive and engaged. This 8-session, integrative program:
- deepens your knowledge of your best qualities and those of others
- boosts mindfulness as an always-available approach to use in life
- cultivates strengths awareness and strengths use to create positive life changes
- offers concrete practices to boost happiness and manage stress and difficulties
Who Should Take this Mindfulness Course
Anyone interested in learning how to blend mindfulness and character strengths—two practices, each historically rooted in philosophy, theology, psychology and other disciplines—to create a holistic, positive approach to improve well-being and happiness.
Teachers, managers, coaches, and counselors may find it particularly beneficial to experience and develop their own practice of mindfulness and strengths before attempting to teach mindfulness/strengths to others.
For those interested in MBSP Certification, this program, Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP), is a requirement.
What You Should Know Before Registering
Attending Sessions: Due to the interaction and rigor of this program, it is important that participants attend all 8 sessions live. If you know of a conflict during one of the 8 sessions, it is suggested you wait to join a future round of MBSP. We understand that sudden or emergent conflicts may arise and you may need to unexpectedly miss a session. In this instance you can watch the session recording to count as your attendance (breakout discussions are not recorded).
Required book: The Mindfulness and Character Strengths Workbook. This workbook includes individual activities and will serve as a guide as you complete the program. Order from the publisher, Hogrefe, to receive a 20% discount or on Amazon. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commission from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.
Suggested Reading: If you plan to lead others in MBSP or to become certified in MBSP, we recommend purchasing Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practitioner’s Guide to MBSP. Order from the publisher Hogrefe to receive a 20% discount or on Amazon. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commission from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.
Technology: This course uses Zoom (click on Take Course from your MY Course page to access Zoom link) so please make sure you have a working camera on your computer (so you can be seen), a working microphone on your computer (so you can be heard) and a good connection to the Internet (so you don’t miss out on experiences).
Program Preview: What's Inside
1
Mindfulness and Autopilot Insights and change opportunities start with mindful attention.
2
Signature Strengths, Character Strengths You can find greater well-being, engagement, and meaning by using your highest strengths.
3
Obstacles and Struggles are Opportunities Learn how to take a strengths mindset with life challenges and your meditation practice.
4
Mindful Living, with Strengths Any action (walking, eating, driving, etc.) has the potential to be infused with the energy of mindfulness and the energy of character strengths.
5
Strengthen Your Relationships Mindful attending can nourish two types of relationships: relationships with others and your relationship with yourself.
6
The Golden Mean Mindfulness helps you discover optimal strengths use to reframe opportunities, problems and life challenges.
7
Half-Day Retreat This is a practice day for everyday mindful living - exploring mindfulness in daily conversation, eating, walking, sitting, reflecting, and the nuances therein.
8
Authenticity and Goodness Are you working toward becoming better at “being you” (authenticity) or are you focused on becoming a “better person” (goodness)?
9
Your Engagement with Life Learn how to stick with practices that have been working well and watch your mind’s tendency to revert back to automatic habits that are deficit-based, unproductive, or ultimately self-defeating.
Course Faculty
Danielle Casioppo
Danielle Casioppo is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, a certified yoga teacher, and meditation instructor. She brings over 10 years of experience creating and delivering transformational programs that enrich the well-being of participants. Danielle is one of 15 international charter certified Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) instructors and a proud faculty member with the VIA Institute on Character. She's a certified instructor of Mental Health First Aid and she is the Education Specialist and Coordinator with Being Well at Yale University.
Dr. Roger Bretherton
Dr Roger Bretherton is Programme Director for the Professional Diploma in Positive Health at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He is a UK accredited Clinical Psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
He is the director of Character Lab Lincoln, which conducts training, consultancy and research on character strengths interventions. His research team is currently investigating the benefits of humility in leaders, the role of mindfulness in character development, a strengths-based approach to pro-environmental behaviours, the role of wisdom in business leadership, and character strengths in entrepreneurs. He has authored two books, and dozens of articles and book chapters, and is a reviewer for several leading academic journals in applied psychology. He delivers coaching, training and keynotes across a broad range of public and private sector organisations.
“Through MBSP, I’ve really amped up my mindfulness practice. In combination with character strengths, this helps me become a better person, live a better life, and create a ripple effect to others.”
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I access my Mindfulness and Character Strengths Report that is included in this program?
The Mindfulness and Character Strengths Report is derived from your results of the VIA Survey and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, both can be completed on your VIA Account. After registering for the MBSP Program you will receive a credit to download your personalized report. You can sign in to your VIA account, choose the Mindfulness Report in the drop-down menu on your My Account page and follow the steps to complete the surveys and use your credit to download your report. *Only one report credit can be applied to one set of VIA Survey and Mindfulness Questionnaire results.
- Will I have handouts that I can keep and review at a later date?
Yes, in each module there are PDF handouts that you can download for the practical exercises that we recommend.
- What if I can't attend all of the sessions live?
MBSP is designed to be experiential and interactive, so we require that you attend all of the sessions live. This is to your benefit to participate in the engaging group discussions. We understand that unexpected conflicts may arise and allow you to miss 1-2 sessions. If you know ahead of time that you will miss sessions, please wait to join the next round of MBSP. Sign-up for our email newsletter to be notified of future sessions.