Mindfulness-Based Therapy in York

Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to immediate experience with openness and acceptance. The method developed in eastern spiritual traditions but has more recently proven itself a valubale tool in a western health context.

Mindfulness can be practised in almost any context of everyday life, or more formally in meditation practice.

Why Is Mindfulness Important in Psychotherapy?

The ability to direct one's attention flexibly and purposefully is a key resource. People suffering from stress, anxiety and depression often report difficulties with focus or concentration.

Mindfulness and meditation develop greater awareness. Awareness is a prerequisite for conscious choice.

In mindfulness we cultivate a different attitude towards our own experience. Often the key thing in emotional problems is responding inappropriately to painful experiences (that are often an inevitable part of life) so that we exacerbate and prolong the pain. Mindfulness is an open, non-judgemental and kindly attitude that creates space for change.

A growing body of research evidence supports the use of mindfulness in anxiety and depression. Recently the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended mindfulness based therapy for depression.

Mindfulness and Biofeedback

Many people find it hard to to keep the mind steady and focused. Biofeedback is a tool that can make the process considerably easier. Read more about biofeedback.

Mindfulness in Psychotherapy

In western psychology mindfulness techniques have been allied to cognitive and behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches. One form is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) - another that I personally favour is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).