What is Mindfullnes?

What is Mindfulness Therapy?

Mindfulness therapy refers to a range of therapeutic approaches that utilize mindfulness practices and principles to help clients develop present moment awareness and acceptance.

The Core of Mindfulness

At its core, mindfulness involves purposefully bringing one’s attention to the here-and-now experience, with an attitude of openness, curiosity and non-judgment. Mindfulness practices like meditation, body scans and mindful movement cultivate sustained attentiveness to thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and the environment as they arise moment-to-moment.

Goals of Mindfulness Therapy

The goal of mindfulness therapy is to help clients relate to their inner experiences (thoughts, feelings, urges) with greater balance and equanimity, rather than becoming overwhelmed or reactive. It aims to interrupt conditioned mental habits like rumination and avoidance that can perpetuate psychological distress.

Through mindfulness, clients learn to observe the transient nature of thoughts and emotions, and not attach to or resist them so strongly. This cultivates self-awareness, emotion regulation skills, self-compassion and flexibility in perspective-taking.

Types of Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Some common mindfulness-based therapies include Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). While they have some variations, they all utilize mindfulness practices, psychoeducation, and cognitive strategies to change one’s relationship to difficult thoughts and emotions.

Benefits of Mindfulness Therapy

Research has shown mindfulness approaches can be effective for conditions like anxiety, depression, chronic pain, addictions and eating disorders among others. By developing mindful presence, clients can learn to experience challenging mental states with greater acceptance and less reactivity.