Understanding Mindfulness in Therapy
Several therapies, including MBCT, MBSR and ACT, are built around mindfulness. What it means, and how it helps.
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment, intentionally and without judgement. It sounds simple, but for many of us, caught up in worry about the future or rumination about the past, it's genuinely difficult.
Mindfulness in a therapeutic context
Several evidence-based therapeutic approaches now build mindfulness in as a central component. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was developed to prevent relapse in recurrent depression. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is used for anxiety, chronic pain, and stress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) uses mindfulness to build psychological flexibility.
Does it work?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends MBCT for people who have had three or more episodes of depression. In my own practice, mindfulness-based work can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and build resilience to stress.
Getting started
You don't need to meditate for hours a day to benefit from mindfulness. Even a few minutes of focused breathing can shift how you relate to difficult thoughts and feelings.