Mindfulness therapy is a type of psychotherapy that combines various mindfulness practices and techniques into the therapeutic process.
Among many things, mindfulness therapy teaches you to cultivate present-moment awareness of your feelings, thoughts, physical sensations, and surroundings without judgement or ridicule.
The techniques learned in mindfulness practice, such as deep breathing, meditation and body scans, can help you observe your experiences with greater acceptance and openness.
This can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with a lot of stress and emotional regulation issues or those looking to improve their overall mental health and well-being.
Mindfulness therapy, particularly when used as part of a holistic treatment program, can be an effective therapy for a wide range of mental health issues, including the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Trauma
- Dual diagnosis
- Stress-related disorders
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Concentration issues
- Fears and phobias
- Relationship difficulties
- Mood disorder
- Self-regulation problems
- High blood pressure
- Chronic pain
This article explores the top five benefits of mindfulness therapy and includes different types of mindfulness treatment you may wish to explore.
In the meantime, if you would like additional information about our mindfulness therapy program or you are concerned about your (or a loved one’s) mental health, contact our friendly team in Toronto, who can help.
Meet our clinical team
The Centres for Health and Healing team has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating various addiction and mental health disorders.
We offer a comprehensive, personalised mindfulness therapy program that addresses your unique needs and preferences.
Our multidisciplinary team comprises licenced counsellors, therapists, and addiction specialists with decades of experience, knowledge and specialised training in mindfulness-based interventions.
With a deep sensitivity and understanding of the complexities of mental health and addiction, we adopt a trauma-informed approach to all our treatment programs, blending various therapeutic methodologies and techniques to ensure you get the most out of your recovery.
Our mindfulness therapy program combines a wide range of practical techniques and strategies to ensure lasting healing and recovery, including:
- Mindful breathing exercises
- Cognitive behavioural techniques
- Meditation
- Body scans
To learn more about our mindfulness therapy program, contact our specialised team today for further resources and support.
The top five benefits of mindfulness therapy
Mindfulness therapy is a type of talk therapy that trained mental health professionals deliver to evaluate, diagnose, and address maladaptive thought and behaviour patterns in their clients.
The goal of these conversation-based therapy sessions is to allow you to develop enhanced awareness of your thoughts and surroundings, enabling you to identify and manage destructive or unhelpful reflexive reactions and behaviours by helping to increase awareness around these automatic responses.
As well as the above, mindfulness therapy has a whole host of other benefits for our physical and mental health, five of which are outlined below:
1. Stress reduction
Mindfulness therapy teaches you to focus on the present, enhancing awareness of your emotions, thoughts and bodily sensations.
This can help you stay grounded in the present-moment rather than stressing about things you have no control over.
Over time, you will learn to respond to stressors more skillfully which can help reduce overall anxiety, worry and stress.
How mindfulness therapy can help reduce stress
Mindfulness therapy can help reduce stress in the following ways:
- You become more aware of your thoughts. Mindfulness teaches you to take a few steps back and process your feelings and emotions without reacting impulsively, a response that often leads to regret further down the line.
- You can concentrate better. A stronger focus on specific tasks and activities can help you work more productively, enhancing your sense of well-being and thus reducing the stress response.
- You have more control over your responses. Mindfulness therapy teaches you to “pause” before reacting to intense situations or events. This technique allows you to devise the best solution, which can be a fantastic stress-buster as you are not resorting to past unhelpful behaviours.
- You have more compassion for others. Mindfulness therapy helps us cultivate empathy for ourselves and others, increasing emotional intelligence and inhibiting the stress response.
2. Improved mental health
Studies have shown that mindfulness therapy can be profoundly beneficial for those suffering from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
This treatment can help alleviate anxious and depressive symptoms by allowing you to cultivate acceptance and non-judgemental awareness of your experiences.
Experts recommend that individuals suffering from mental health conditions such as depression should aim for about ten to thirty minutes of mindfulness meditation practice a day to help with their symptoms.
While everyone responds to treatment differently, mindfulness therapy stands out as a scientifically supported approach to managing mental health conditions such as depression.
For example, extensive research posits that mindfulness practices can help people regulate their emotions more effectively, reducing depressive symptoms.
Furthermore, a considerable body of research focuses on mindfulness interventions, notably mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), pioneered by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979.
Studies on MBSR and depression show promising results, especially in times of high stress and crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the benefits extend beyond formal treatment programs such as MBSR; regular mindfulness practice alone can be beneficial.
For instance, a 2018 study revealed that mindfulness, even without accompanying talk therapy, reduces both anxiety and depression.
To learn more about the benefits of mindfulness therapy, contact our team who will happily provide additional information and support.
3. Increased concentration and focus
Various research studies have shown that mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing exercises and meditation can help improve cognitive function by enhancing attention and concentration.
This can help improve performance and productivity in all areas of life as you experience a deeper sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from daily tasks and activities.
Through regular mindfulness practice, your brain becomes more efficient, which means it requires fewer resources to perform specific tasks.
Further studies have shown that mindfulness helps to rewire the brain, sharpening areas associated with focus and attention.
The research showed that brain regions producing chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine (two neurotransmitters essential for concentration) increased in size over an eight-week mindfulness therapy program. (Mindfulness for concentration: focus on the life you want, Mind Insight, Alison Bale, 23 September 2021.)
Moreover, practising mindfulness can help you manage daily stressors and distractions more effectively, allowing you to cultivate more self-compassion, particularly when you find it challenging to concentrate or focus.
The more you return to your focus – whether on your breath or an object, the better you maintain concentration. (Mindfulness for concentration: focus on the life you want, Mind Insight, Alison Bale, 23 September 2021.)
4. More fulfilling relationships
Mindfulness therapy helps foster essential skills that can help you cultivate happier, healthier, more rewarding relationships.
For example, through regular practice, mindfulness therapy encourages you to cultivate more compassion and empathy toward yourself and others and improve interpersonal communication skills.
Over time, this can strengthen your relationships, promoting a more profound sense of connection and empathy towards others.
5. Enhanced emotional regulation
Daily mindfulness practice can improve emotional regulation, allowing you to cultivate greater mental resilience and regulate your emotions more effectively.
Much of the research literature suggests that regular mindfulness practice can help improve mood stability, helping you cultivate healthier responses to challenging or intense situations.
Furthermore, mindfulness therapy provides the necessary tools and skills to help you identify, observe and accept negative feelings instead of reacting to them, allowing you to regulate your emotions more effectively.
What are the different types of mindfulness therapy?
There are a few different types of mindfulness therapy, including:
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy (MBSR) – adopts stress management strategies with mindfulness practices.
- Mindfulness -based cognitive therapy (MBCT) – helps you to identify maladaptive thoughts and behaviours, allowing you to choose alternative, healthier ways of thinking.
Additional mindfulness-based approaches
As well as the above treatments, there are other mindfulness-based approaches where mindfulness techniques can be applied.
These include:
- Mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT)
- Mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT)
- Mindfulness-based relationship enhancement (MBRE)
- Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP)
The bottom line
As well as helping those with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse, mindfulness therapy can be a beneficial treatment for those with trauma and PTSD.
When used as part of an integrated treatment program, mindfulness therapy can help trauma survivors manage distressing emotions and memories, allowing them to foster a sense of safety and empowerment.
But that’s not all.
Mindfulness therapy can help anyone looking to improve their overall health and well-being.
For example, you may be looking to develop a deeper sense of purpose and belonging in your life.
Or maybe you want to improve your relationships or create more awareness and compassion toward yourself and others.
No matter your reasons, mindfulness therapy can guide you toward lasting wellness and recovery to help you achieve whatever goals and intentions that feel the most important to you and your future.
Mindfulness therapy at Centres for Health and Healing
Centres for Health and Healing provides a comprehensive, personalised mindfulness therapy program to clients in Toronto and surrounding regions.
Please get in touch with us for more information and support if you’d like to learn more about how mindfulness-based therapy at Centres for Health and Healing can benefit you or a loved one.
Now is the time to start your journey to health and wellness.
You can also access The Mindfulness Research Guide here (www.mindfulexperience.org/), where information on the scientific study of mindfulness is available to researchers, practitioners, and the general public.
Additional resources
1. What Is Mindfulness Therapy? Verywell Health, Ashley Olivine, PhD, MPH, 12 January 2022
2. How Can Mindfulness Help With Depression? PsychCentral, Sian Ferguson, 15 August, 2022
