Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It InvolvesPractitionersConditions TreatedTypesEducation/Training/Certifications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Involves
Practitioners
Conditions Treated
Types
Education/Training/Certifications
Mindfulness is being aware of internal thoughts, feelings, and emotions, as well as external surroundings and situations, without automatic responses such as judgment orstress.Mindfulness therapy is a type oftalk therapythat focuses on learning how to be more aware and to reduce automatic responses.
This article will explain what is involved with mindfulness therapy, the types of professionals who provide it, and training required for providers. We will also discuss the various types of mindfulness therapy and its uses.
Types of Professionals Who Provide It
Different types of professionals may provide mindfulness therapy, includingpsychologistsand therapists. Other health professionals, such as licensed professional counselors and licensed clinical social workers, may also incorporate mindfulness.
Sessions can be delivered one-on-one or in a group setting and in an office or virtually via video conferencing.
Mindfulness Techniques vs. TherapyWhile other practices such as yoga and meditation do include mindfulness techniques, this is not considered mindfulness therapy because it does not include psychotherapy with a mental health professional. However, some mental health professionals do incorporatemeditationin psychotherapy.
Mindfulness Techniques vs. Therapy
While other practices such as yoga and meditation do include mindfulness techniques, this is not considered mindfulness therapy because it does not include psychotherapy with a mental health professional. However, some mental health professionals do incorporatemeditationin psychotherapy.
Conditions Treated and Concerns Addressed
Mindfulness therapy is used to treat a variety of different medical conditions, both mental and physical. Additionally, it can help to address concerns that are not limited to medical conditions.
Some examples of the health and life benefits of mindfulness therapy include improved focus and memory, empathy and compassion, and increased overall quality of life.
Mindfulness therapy can be used for:
Other conditions in which mindfulness therapy may help include:
Mindfulness therapy also offers life benefits through improved capacity for relationships,self-confidenceand self-control, and even the potential for improved ecological sustainability.
Types of Mindfulness Therapy
Mindfulness therapy is a type of psychotherapy. There are also different types of mindfulness therapy, including mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy (MBSR). Additionally, mindfulness can be incorporated into other forms of therapy.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy or MBCT
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, or MBCT, is a type of psychotherapy that incorporates mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy.Cognitive therapy, or CT, is a type of talk therapy that involves identifying dysfunctional thoughts and learning how to choose different thoughts instead, which is called cognitive restructuring.Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy may include this cognitive restructuring technique plus mindfulness meditation or other mindfulness practices.
The three-minute breathing space is a common MBCT technique. During this exercise, you are asked to follow three one-minute steps:
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Mindfulness-Based CBT
Mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy, or mindfulness-based CBT, is a type of psychotherapy or integrative therapy that incorporates mindfulness practices with cognitive behavioral therapy.Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of talk therapy that combines cognitive therapy with behavior therapy, focusing on how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors relate to and influence one another.
The terms “mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy” and “mindfulness-based cognitive therapy” are sometimes used interchangeably.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy or MBSR
Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy, or MBSR, is a type of psychotherapy that incorporates mindfulness practices with stress management techniques. This creates a mindfulness protocol specifically for stress, as opposed to a practice for something else that has the added benefit ofstress relief.
Other Types of Mindfulness TrainingIn addition to mindfulness therapy, there are other mindfulness practices that do not involve therapy. These includebreathing techniques, visualization, yoga, and meditation. They can be learned at home without the support of a professional. This is unlike mindfulness-based therapy options, which require the support of a mental health professional.
Other Types of Mindfulness Training
In addition to mindfulness therapy, there are other mindfulness practices that do not involve therapy. These includebreathing techniques, visualization, yoga, and meditation. They can be learned at home without the support of a professional. This is unlike mindfulness-based therapy options, which require the support of a mental health professional.
Education, Training, and Certifications
Since mindfulness-based therapy is a type of psychotherapy, it requires training and certification to facilitate. The specific education, training, and certification depends on the provider.
For example, psychiatrists obtain medical doctorate degrees (MD), psychologists obtain doctorate degrees (Ph.D.), and therapists and counselors generally have master’s degrees in their respective fields.
They may receive specialized training and certification in specific mindfulness techniques and practices on top of their education and licensure requirements. There are also training and certifications available to learn how to teach other mindfulness-based practices such as yoga and meditation.
Summary
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy (MBSR) are all types of mindfulness-based therapy. It is a type of talk therapy that focuses on learning how to be more aware of thoughts, feelings, emotions, surroundings, and situations, and to reduce automatic responses.
Mindfulness-based therapy can treat various physical and mental health conditions and improve overall daily functioning and quality of life.
How to Practice Mindfulness the Right Way
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Mindfulness.American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.Meditation and the mindfulness trend in psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.What are the benefits of mindfulness?Hughes O, Shelton KH, Penny H, Thompson AR.Living With Physical Health Conditions: A Systematic Review of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Their Parents.J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 Apr 20;48(4):396-413. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad003.Richard Y, Tazi N, Frydecka D, Hamid MS, Moustafa AA.A systematic review of neural, cognitive, and clinical studies of anger and aggression.Curr Psychol. 2022 Jun 8:1-13. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03143-6.Guo J, Wang H, Luo J, Guo Y, Xie Y, Lei B, Wiley J, Whittemore R.Factors influencing the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on diabetes distress: a meta-analysis.BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2019 Dec 11;7(1):e000757. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000757.Zhang D, Lee EKP, Mak ECW, Ho CY, Wong SYS.Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review.Br Med Bull. 2021 Jun 10;138(1):41-57. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldab005.Pollack SM, Pedulla T, Siegel RD.Three ways to bring mindfulness into therapy. University of California Berkeley.Brown School of Public Health.What is mindfulness based cognitive therapy?American Psychological Association.Cognitive therapy (CT).American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Hoge EA, Bui E, Mete M, Dutton MA, Baker AW, Simon NM.Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction vs Escitalopram for the Treatment of Adults With Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 1;80(1):13-21. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.3679.Human Services.Counselor vs. therapist vs. psychologist.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Mindfulness.American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.Meditation and the mindfulness trend in psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.What are the benefits of mindfulness?Hughes O, Shelton KH, Penny H, Thompson AR.Living With Physical Health Conditions: A Systematic Review of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Their Parents.J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 Apr 20;48(4):396-413. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad003.Richard Y, Tazi N, Frydecka D, Hamid MS, Moustafa AA.A systematic review of neural, cognitive, and clinical studies of anger and aggression.Curr Psychol. 2022 Jun 8:1-13. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03143-6.Guo J, Wang H, Luo J, Guo Y, Xie Y, Lei B, Wiley J, Whittemore R.Factors influencing the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on diabetes distress: a meta-analysis.BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2019 Dec 11;7(1):e000757. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000757.Zhang D, Lee EKP, Mak ECW, Ho CY, Wong SYS.Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review.Br Med Bull. 2021 Jun 10;138(1):41-57. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldab005.Pollack SM, Pedulla T, Siegel RD.Three ways to bring mindfulness into therapy. University of California Berkeley.Brown School of Public Health.What is mindfulness based cognitive therapy?American Psychological Association.Cognitive therapy (CT).American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Hoge EA, Bui E, Mete M, Dutton MA, Baker AW, Simon NM.Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction vs Escitalopram for the Treatment of Adults With Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 1;80(1):13-21. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.3679.Human Services.Counselor vs. therapist vs. psychologist.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Mindfulness.American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.Meditation and the mindfulness trend in psychotherapy.American Psychological Association.What are the benefits of mindfulness?Hughes O, Shelton KH, Penny H, Thompson AR.Living With Physical Health Conditions: A Systematic Review of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Their Parents.J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 Apr 20;48(4):396-413. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad003.Richard Y, Tazi N, Frydecka D, Hamid MS, Moustafa AA.A systematic review of neural, cognitive, and clinical studies of anger and aggression.Curr Psychol. 2022 Jun 8:1-13. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03143-6.Guo J, Wang H, Luo J, Guo Y, Xie Y, Lei B, Wiley J, Whittemore R.Factors influencing the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on diabetes distress: a meta-analysis.BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2019 Dec 11;7(1):e000757. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000757.Zhang D, Lee EKP, Mak ECW, Ho CY, Wong SYS.Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review.Br Med Bull. 2021 Jun 10;138(1):41-57. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldab005.Pollack SM, Pedulla T, Siegel RD.Three ways to bring mindfulness into therapy. University of California Berkeley.Brown School of Public Health.What is mindfulness based cognitive therapy?American Psychological Association.Cognitive therapy (CT).American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Hoge EA, Bui E, Mete M, Dutton MA, Baker AW, Simon NM.Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction vs Escitalopram for the Treatment of Adults With Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 1;80(1):13-21. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.3679.Human Services.Counselor vs. therapist vs. psychologist.
American Psychological Association.Mindfulness.
American Psychological Association.Psychotherapy.
Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.Meditation and the mindfulness trend in psychotherapy.
American Psychological Association.What are the benefits of mindfulness?
Hughes O, Shelton KH, Penny H, Thompson AR.Living With Physical Health Conditions: A Systematic Review of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Their Parents.J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 Apr 20;48(4):396-413. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad003.
Richard Y, Tazi N, Frydecka D, Hamid MS, Moustafa AA.A systematic review of neural, cognitive, and clinical studies of anger and aggression.Curr Psychol. 2022 Jun 8:1-13. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03143-6.
Guo J, Wang H, Luo J, Guo Y, Xie Y, Lei B, Wiley J, Whittemore R.Factors influencing the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on diabetes distress: a meta-analysis.BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2019 Dec 11;7(1):e000757. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000757.
Zhang D, Lee EKP, Mak ECW, Ho CY, Wong SYS.Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review.Br Med Bull. 2021 Jun 10;138(1):41-57. doi:10.1093/bmb/ldab005.
Pollack SM, Pedulla T, Siegel RD.Three ways to bring mindfulness into therapy. University of California Berkeley.
Brown School of Public Health.What is mindfulness based cognitive therapy?
American Psychological Association.Cognitive therapy (CT).
American Psychological Association.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Hoge EA, Bui E, Mete M, Dutton MA, Baker AW, Simon NM.Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction vs Escitalopram for the Treatment of Adults With Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 1;80(1):13-21. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.3679.
Human Services.Counselor vs. therapist vs. psychologist.
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