Mindfulness therapy

• Positive therapy - Mindfulness
• Components of mindfulness

  1. gaining control of thoughts
  2. meditation and mindful breathing
  3. informal practices of mindfulness
• Gaining control of thoughts - mindfulness

  Focus on present time

  • aware of all incoming thoughts, feelings & accept
  • Gain awareness of unhelpful negative thoughts
  • -reduce depression / anxiety
• Meditation and mindful breathing - mindfulness

  removes an individual from day interactions = focus on mind

  -can be guided or personal practice

  • sit comfortable
  • direct attention to breathing
  • pay attention to thoughts and emotions

  -thoughts are not permanant
• Informal practices of mindfulness

  • daily life - on own
  • e.g when showering / driving
• Evaluation of mindfulness - Positives

  Improves happiness & life satisfaction (Shapiro et al 2002)

  Reduces; depression, anxiety and stress (Brown / Ryan 2003)

  Can be used alongside other therapies - MiCBT - change process of thinking

  MBCT - Mindfulness cognitive therapy

  MBSR - mindfulness stress reduction

  Can be done in a group = more effective
• Evaluation of mindfulness - negatives

  Emotionally intense (psych harm)

  Often working with vunerable