Mindfulness-Informed Therapy
Using present-moment awareness to notice thoughts, emotions, sensations, and reactions more clearly.
Understanding the approach
Mindfulness can create space around an experience.
Mindfulness involves intentionally noticing present-moment experience. In counseling, that may include thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, impulses, breathing, or patterns of attention.
Mindfulness-based work may include developing greater awareness of thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and patterns of reaction without requiring a particular meditation practice.
What the work may look like
Mindfulness is adapted to the person.
Mindfulness in counseling does not require sitting silently or trying to empty the mind. It may involve briefly noticing a reaction, observing a body sensation, paying attention to breathing, or slowing down enough to identify what is happening.
Mindfulness practices can be brief and can be adjusted according to comfort, preferences, and the focus of the session.
Individual and collaborative
Mindfulness can be used when it supports the work.
- Clients do not need prior meditation experience.
- Mindfulness practices can be brief and practical.
- They may be combined with other therapeutic approaches rather than used as a stand-alone method.