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Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Present-moment awareness practices for healing and well-being

Mindfulness-based therapy integrates ancient contemplative practices with modern psychological science to help people develop greater awareness, acceptance, and peace in their lives. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts and emotions, mindfulness teaches us to change our relationship with them.

At its core, mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance. This simple but profound practice has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain while improving overall well-being and life satisfaction.

Key Principle: Mindfulness isn't about emptying the mind or achieving a special state. It's about becoming aware of what's already happening in your experience with kindness and without judgment.

Evidence-Based Mindfulness Approaches

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

8-week structured program combining mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and yoga

Key Components:

  • Body scan meditation
  • Sitting meditation practice
  • Mindful yoga and movement
  • Walking meditation
  • Mindful eating exercises
  • Daily life mindfulness applications

Research-Backed Benefits:

  • Significant stress reduction
  • Better emotional regulation
  • Improved focus and concentration
  • Enhanced self-awareness
  • Reduced chronic pain
  • Better sleep quality

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Combines mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy to prevent depression relapse

Key Components:

  • Mindful awareness of thoughts
  • Breaking rumination cycles
  • Acceptance and letting go practices
  • Mindful breathing techniques
  • Cognitive pattern recognition
  • Relapse prevention strategies

Research-Backed Benefits:

  • Prevents depression relapse
  • Reduces anxiety and worry
  • Breaks negative thought patterns
  • Increases emotional resilience
  • Improves mood stability
  • Greater self-compassion

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Uses mindfulness and acceptance strategies to help you live according to your values

Key Components:

  • Values clarification exercises
  • Acceptance of difficult emotions
  • Mindful observation of thoughts
  • Committed action toward goals
  • Present-moment awareness
  • Psychological flexibility training

Research-Backed Benefits:

  • Increased psychological flexibility
  • Better alignment with values
  • Reduced struggle with emotions
  • Greater life satisfaction
  • Improved relationships
  • Enhanced motivation and purpose

Core Mindfulness Skills

Present-Moment Awareness

Learning to anchor attention in the here and now, rather than being lost in past regrets or future worries

Practices Include:

  • Breath awareness meditation
  • Five senses grounding exercises
  • Mindful observation of surroundings
  • Present-moment check-ins throughout the day

Non-Judgmental Observation

Developing the ability to observe thoughts, feelings, and sensations without immediately judging them as good or bad

Practices Include:

  • Thought watching meditation
  • Emotion labeling without judgment
  • Body sensation awareness
  • Self-compassion practices

Acceptance and Letting Go

Learning to accept what cannot be changed while taking action on what can be changed

Practices Include:

  • Loving-kindness meditation
  • Acceptance of difficult emotions
  • Letting go of control practices
  • Serenity prayer meditation

Conditions Effectively Treated with Mindfulness

Extensive research shows mindfulness-based interventions are effective for numerous mental and physical health conditions:

Anxiety Disorders

Mindfulness helps break the cycle of worry and catastrophic thinking

How mindfulness helps:

  • Reduces anticipatory anxiety about future events
  • Helps recognize anxiety thoughts as mental events, not facts
  • Teaches grounding techniques for panic attacks
  • Builds tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort
  • Develops calm, centered response to stressful situations

Depression

Particularly effective for preventing depressive episodes and managing symptoms

How mindfulness helps:

  • Breaks rumination patterns that fuel depression
  • Increases awareness of early warning signs
  • Builds self-compassion and reduces self-criticism
  • Helps reconnect with present-moment pleasures
  • Prevents getting stuck in negative thought spirals

Chronic Stress

Provides practical tools for managing daily stressors and building resilience

How mindfulness helps:

  • Activates the body's relaxation response
  • Improves emotional regulation under pressure
  • Enhances clarity and decision-making abilities
  • Reduces physical tension and stress symptoms
  • Builds capacity to respond rather than react

Chronic Pain

Changes relationship with pain and reduces suffering associated with physical discomfort

How mindfulness helps:

  • Distinguishes between pain and suffering
  • Reduces tension and resistance to physical sensations
  • Improves pain tolerance and management
  • Decreases pain-related anxiety and depression
  • Enhances overall quality of life despite pain

Types of Mindfulness Practice

Mindfulness can be cultivated through various practices, from formal meditation to informal awareness in daily activities:

Formal Meditation Practices

Structured meditation sessions with specific techniques and durations

Examples:

  • Breath awareness meditation (10-45 minutes)
  • Body scan practice (20-45 minutes)
  • Walking meditation (10-30 minutes)
  • Loving-kindness meditation (15-30 minutes)
  • Mountain meditation (20-30 minutes)

Informal Mindfulness Practices

Bringing mindful awareness to daily activities and moments

Examples:

  • Mindful eating and drinking
  • Mindful walking and movement
  • Mindful listening in conversations
  • Mindful household activities
  • Mindful breathing during transitions

Mini-Mindfulness Moments

Brief practices that can be done anywhere, anytime

Examples:

  • Three conscious breaths
  • STOP technique (Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed)
  • Mindful hand washing
  • Gratitude pause
  • Body awareness check-in

What to Expect from Mindfulness-Based Therapy

In Therapy Sessions:

  • • Guided meditation practices
  • • Discussion of insights and challenges
  • • Learning about the mind and awareness
  • • Practical application to daily life
  • • Home practice assignments
  • • Gentle, non-judgmental exploration

Common Experiences:

  • • Initial difficulty focusing (completely normal!)
  • • Gradual increase in awareness
  • • Moments of calm and clarity
  • • Increased emotional resilience
  • • Better sleep and relaxation
  • • Greater self-compassion

Building Your Practice:

Like learning any skill, mindfulness takes time and patience. We start with short practices (even 3-5 minutes) and gradually build your capacity. The goal isn't to be perfect at meditation—it's to develop a kinder, more aware relationship with your experience.

Remember: Every moment you notice your mind has wandered and gently return attention to the present is a moment of mindfulness. There's no such thing as "bad" meditation.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy in Auburn

As a Associate Licensed Counselor in Auburn, I integrate mindfulness practices into therapy based on your individual needs and interests. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or simply want to develop greater well-being, mindfulness can be a valuable addition to your therapeutic journey.

My Mindfulness-Based Services:

  • • Individual mindfulness-based therapy
  • • Stress reduction techniques
  • • Anxiety management through mindfulness
  • • Depression prevention strategies
  • • Mindful approaches to relationship issues
  • • Integration with other therapeutic approaches

Perfect For:

  • • Auburn University students managing academic stress
  • • Professionals dealing with work pressures
  • • Individuals seeking greater life balance
  • • Those interested in personal growth
  • • People struggling with chronic worry
  • • Anyone wanting to live more mindfully

Getting Started:

You don't need any previous meditation experience to begin mindfulness-based therapy. We'll start where you are and develop a practice that fits your lifestyle and goals. Many people are surprised to discover that mindfulness is simpler—and more powerful—than they expected.

Ready to Explore Mindfulness?

Discover how present-moment awareness can transform your relationship with stress, emotions, and life itself. Let's explore whether mindfulness-based approaches might benefit you.

Begin Your Mindfulness Journey