Mindfulness Based Psychotherapy
Mindfulness-based psychotherapy derives from American physician Jon Kabat-Zinn’s development of the practice of mindfulness combined with modified cognitive behavioral therapy practices. He initially developed his theories and mindfulness technique to help patients cope with medical illnesses such as chronic pain, but later found they helped with the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other psychological difficulties.
Mindfulness-based psychotherapy operates on the premise that a mindfulness practice helps foster awareness of the activities of one's mind. From this point, one can practice readjusting one's thinking to a more wise, compassionate, and adaptive mode. This eventually results in a release of negative thinking, the development of tolerance, and emotional pain relief. There is a focus on accepting oneself without judgment and developing self-compassion, which can bring tremendous liberation from suffering. This relinquishing of negativity can also lead to feelings of expansiveness which can dissolve feelings of paralysis and fear.
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From a psychological perspective, this process is known as "decentering", and it facilitates disengagement from self-criticism, rumination, and dysphoric mood (depressive states) that can all arise from reactions to negative thinking patterns. Dr. Kabat-Zinn discovered that when one accepts life’s challenges without reactivity, stress levels can be reduced, one can more calmly tap into one’s inner strength to endure challenging experiences, and one can then more wisely envision how to cope with difficulties. There are scientific studies showing the effectiveness of this method of treatment on a variety of physical and psychological conditions.
From the mindfulness perspective, the therapist aids clients both in accepting things that they cannot control and in calmly uncovering useful solutions to the problems that they can manage. In sessions, I gently pinpoint clients’ self-judgments, self-criticisms, and the lack of acceptance that they might express about aspects of themselves and their circumstances. I also sensitively aid my clients in developing greater acceptance of others to reduce interpersonal reactivity, thereby improving their interpersonal lives. As treatment progresses, I support my clients in understanding how greater, non-judgmental awareness and acceptance can help them to find relief from psychological distress, as well as the strength and wisdom to cope with their realities.
Mindfulness meditation practice is essential to this form of treatment and requires some discipline. I teach and practice mindfulness in session, and support patients to develop a mindfulness routine to practice at home — my guidance includes aiding patients to find resources to practice the techniques on their own, helping them develop a mindfulness practice habit, including through specific mobile apps and carefully selected guided mindfulness meditations by Dr. Kabat-Zinn, himself.
The very concept of “practice” is key to this treatment approach.