How are Mindfulness & Meditation Incorporated into Psychotherapy?

 

*Please note that mindfulness-based approaches are strictly optional, and will only be used in treatment at your specific request. These approaches are never imposed or forced*

 

     Should you choose to include meditation-based treatments in your therapy experience, there are many ways we can go about doing so.  Depending upon your personality, current struggle, and emotional need, we will find an approach that uniquely suits your personal objectives.  

     Some meditative and Zen practices concentrate on the intentional input of soothing mental states. In other words, through guided meditation, the practitioner is led to access a particular inner experience (i.e.,  "peacefulness").  Through breathwork, imagery, and affirmation, a particular inner state is created. Through this breed of mindful practice, we are able to intentionally create new self-states while cultivating emotional wellbeing and cognitive flexibility. The effects can be very calming, and can lead to insight, clarity-of-thought, and emotional control.  Those struggling with anxiety, impaired self-esteem, and depression are often very responsive to these techniques, as are children struggling with ADD and/or test-anxiety. Through drawing from mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and Zen meditative practice, I am equipped to help you benefit from these soothing and transformative approaches. 

     Another way to cultivate mindfulness is simply to observe what is already within oneself, without attempting to change it .  This allows us to be in synch with our true selves, and to understand our own core material.  Through "mindfully peeking in" to our unconscious, we will better understand the impulses and core beliefs that that drive us. This type of mindful practice is more passive and observational - we are not striving to change our unconscious minds through intentional input (as referenced above).  Rather, we are simply attempting to observe what is "already there" in order to gain heightened self-understanding. This allows us to know ourselves on a deeper level - and in doing so, we are able to authentically tranform and heal. Facilitating mindful change on the experiential level is one of my passions. I can help you do this through drawing from the Hakomi Method, and through teaching Vipassana Meditation skills.