Mindfulness for Counselors
description
Transcript of 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