I was the Supervision Lead for the Mindfulness Network for many years and continue to collaborate closely with the charity around supervision. This includes being part of the core training team within the MN and Bangor University. For many years, I have had a particular focus on Mindfulness-based Supervision (MBS) training. I co-founded the Mindfulness Network in 2012 and co-directed/directed the charity until 2021. From 2008-2017, I was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter and worked as a mindfulness-based cognitive therapist and trainer. I led the postgraduate training, two specific IAPT training programs and a Supervised Pathway in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapies and Approaches. I also led the NHS Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) service within the AccEPT clinic. Prior to my work at the University of Exeter, I worked as an Occupational Therapist in NHS mental health settings.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Clinical Research, with the thesis titled Supervisors’ and Supervisees’ Perspectives of Mindfulness-Based Supervision: A Grounded Theory Study, 2019
- MSc in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapies, University of Exeter, 2012
- I underwent extensive training with some of the first and second generation of mindfulness-based teachers as part of the Medical Research Council Trial platform: Preventing depression relapse in NHS practice using MBCT
- Teaching-Training Specialisms
- MBCT in clinical and research settings particularly for adults with a history of depression
- MBCT for people with current depression
- MBCT for parents with a history of depression
- MBCT/MBSR for people with physical health difficulties/chronic pain/vascular disorders in a clinical setting (includes a trial offering MBCT/Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for people with a vascular disorder and associated low mood/stress)
- As a trainer, I have a sound knowledge of MBSR for the general public
- MBCL – I have completed the teacher training modules of the Mindfulness-based Compassionate Living course and facilitated courses in a clinical context
- I have completed the Bodhi College Teacher Training Programme and facilitate retreats
- Deeper Mindfulness (Frame by Frame) – I have completed the teacher training and facilitated courses
Personal Practice
I have had a personal mindfulness practice since 2004, prior to which I practised yoga regularly. My practice includes the core practices taught in MBCT/MBSR as well as developing other practices of interest and relevance in my life. My practice is supported by regularly mentoring sessions with a teacher from the insight meditation tradition. Movement also plays an important part of practice for me, both formally – with practices such as yoga – to more informal movement activities such as walking and Kayaking in the beauty of Devon where I live.
Research Activities
- Doctoral Thesis on supervisors’ and supervisees’ perspectives of mindfulness-based supervision. Read Here.
- Therapist on Medical Research Council Trial platform: Preventing depression relapse in NHS practice using (MBCT)
- Lead therapist for a National Institutes for Health Research funded PREVENT trial, “Preventing recurrent depression in NHS settings: Comparing antidepressants with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.”
- Small Random Controlled (RCT) trial of MBCT for parents with a history of recurrent depression
- Small RCT trial offering MBCT/MBSR for people with a vascular disorder and associated low mood/stress
Publications
Evans, A., & Duckerin, P. (2025). Mindfulness-based supervision and mentoring: Using an embodied dialogue to support learning and reflection. Pavilion Publishing.
Evans A. Mindfulness-based supervision. (2021). In Crane, R.S., Karunavira., Griffith, G.M. (Eds.), Essential Resources for Mindfulness Teachers (pp. 156-166). Routledge.
Evans, A., Griffith, G. M., Crane, R. S., & Sansom, S. A. (2021). Using the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) in Supervision Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 10 1-6, https://doi.org/10.1177/2164956121989949
Evans, A. (2019). Supervisors’ and Supervisees’ Perspectives of Mindfulness-Based Supervision: A Grounded Theory Study. https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10871/37542
Alsubaie, M., Dickens, C., Dunn, B. D., Gibson, A., Ukoumunne, O. C., Evans, A., … & Kuyken, W. (2018). Feasibility and Acceptability of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Compared with Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Treatment as Usual in People with Depression and Cardiovascular Disorders: a Three-Arm Randomised Controlled Trial. Mindfulness, 1-21.
Mann, J., Kuyken, W., O’Mahen, H., Ukoumunne, O., Evans, A., & Ford. T. (2016). Manual Development and Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Versus Usual Care for Parents with a History of Depression. Mindfulness 7(5) 1024–1033 DOI 10.1007/s12671-016-0543-7.
Kuyken, W., Hayes, R., Barrett, B., Byng, R., Dalgleish, T., Kessler, D., Lewis, G., Watkins, E., Brejcha, C., Cardy, J., et al (2015). Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy compared with maintenance antidepressant treatment in the prevention of depressive relapse or recurrence (PREVENT): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 386(9988), 63-73.
Kuyken, W., & Evans, A. (2014). Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Depression. In R. A. Baer (Ed) Mindfulness-Based Treatment Approaches: Clinician’s Guide to Evidence Base and Applications (2nd edition) (pp. 29-60). London: Elsevier.
Evans, A., Crane, R.C., Cooper, L., Mardula, J., Wilks, J., Surawy., Kenny, M., Kuyken, W. (2014). A Framework for Supervision for Mindfulness-Based Teachers: a Space for Embodied Mutual Inquiry. Mindfulness 6(3), 572-581. DOI 10.1007/s12671-014-0292-4.
Crane, R. S., Eames, C., Kuyken, W., Hastings, R. P., Williams, J. M. G., Bartley, T., Evans, A., Silverton, S., Soulsby, J. G., & Surawy, C. (2013). Development and validation of the mindfulness-based interventions-teaching assessment criteria (MBI:TAC). Assessment, 20(6), 681-688. DOI: 10.1177/1073191113490790.
Kuyken, W., Byford, S., Byng, R., Dalgleish, T., Lewis, G., Taylor, R., Watkins, E.R, Hayes, R., Lanham, P., Kessler, D., Morant, N., & Evans, A. (2010). Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy with maintenance anti-depressant treatment in the prevention of depressive relapse/recurrence: the PREVENT trial. BMC Trials, 11, 99. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-11-99.
Kuyken, W., Watkins, E., Holden, E., White, K., Taylor, R.S., Byford, S., Evans, A., Radford, S., Teasdale, J.D., Dalgleish, T., et al (2010). How does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy work?. Behav Res Ther, 48(11), 1105-1112.
Further Information
I can be contacted via email at alison@vividmindfulness.co.uk
Alison’s website: www.vividmindfulness.co.uk
