Mindfulness for Counselors

Mindfulness for Counselors

Innate capacity, explosion, hunger

Format

Mindfulness cannot be taught to others in an authentic way without the instructor practicing it in his or

her own life. (Kabat-Zinn, 2003, pg. 149)

Mindfulness MuscleApplications

Be a sponge

Mindfulness and Religion

Do I have to be Buddhist?

Supported environment

One supports the otherMeditation Mindfulness

Unsupported: daily life

Bring attention to here and nowTraining the mind to be presentIncrease happiness, decrease suffering

Where IS your awareness?

Mindlessness. Choice. Remembering.

Standing up.Sitting down.

Breathing in, I am aware…

The object of your mindfulness can be anything.

“Breathing in, I’m aware of the ______.”

Beginning and ending

Gaze

What are you experiencing now?Just one word

Awareness of the present moment without judgment

Jon Kabat-Zinn

What’s so great about the present moment?Let’s find out.

True homeOur true home is the present moment. Real

life can only be found and touched in the here and now. This is because the present moment is the only moment we can actually experience and influence. The past is over and the future has not yet arrived. Since the present moment is the only real moment for us, we can always return here to get in touch with the wonders of life.

Thich Nat Hanh (2008, pg.12)

Anchors for sitting practice

BreathWordSound

Felt sense of body

Basic sitting practicesWilling hands (Marsha Linehan)

Half smile (Marsha Linehan)

Inner smile (Thich Nat Hanh)

For you and for your clients

ReflectionWhat was your experience?

Three more practices

Following the breathOneKindness, Unlimited Friendliness,

Generosity

ReflectionWhat are you experiencing now?

Your very first raisin.

The Raisin(developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn MBSR)

ReflectionWhat did you experience?

Mindfulness for Counselors

Stillness as resource

Cultivating and resting more in the ‘heart’ qualities of mindfulness – kindness and compassion – will comfort and steady you. And, discovering your inner resources for safety, silence, and stillness will empower you to deal with the most disturbing experiences.”

(Brantley, J., & Kabat-Zinn, J. (2007, pg. 201).

Therapeutic value of awarenessBeing aware of is not the same as

getting rid of

Awareness of feelings and thoughts creates choice and empowers

Mindfulness for CounselorsCultivating full presence during a session

Making room for disturbing content

Taking a break between clients

Centering after a tough session

Daily practice for well-being

Avoid burn-out

Mindfulness for clientsPrimary use: self-soothing; reducing

emotional reactivity, alleviating pressure by adding spaciousness

Practice in session then generalize into daily life

Eating. Walking. Brushing teeth

Contraindications

Special populationsChildren

Adolescents

Older People

People with eating disorders

People involved in substance abuse and dependence

Medical populations: chronic pain, cancer

Mindfulness-based approachesMindfulness-Based Stress-Relief (MBSR) Jon Kabat-Zinn

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Steven Hayes

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Marsha Linehan

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Segal, Williams & Teasdale

Mindfulness-based Eating Awareness Training (MBEAT) Jean Kristeller, Ruth Baer & others

Grass

Sitting quietly, doing nothing,Spring comes, and the grass grows

by itself Alan Watts

(1957, pg. 133)

Jocelynesch.wordpress.com

Blog created for this seminar. PPT references listed there