Mindfulness Therapy
In Toronto
In addition, mindfulness, mainly if practised regularly, allows you to accept any thoughts and responses you might have without judgement or self-ridicule. Here, we will explain the benefits of mindfulness practice and how this therapy can help enrich your life and overall health. Learn more about our mindfulness therapy in Toronto below.
Where to Get More Information
If you want to learn more about our mindfulness therapy program in Toronto, contact one of our Centre for Health and Healing specialists for more information.
Mindfulness Therapy Origins
Jon Kabat-Zinn first introduced mindfulness into Western medicine in the late 1970s. Since then, mindfulness practices have increased in popularity within various cultures and communitiesโand with good reason!
Zinn defines mindfulness as โthe awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally, to things as they are.โ
Mindfulness Techniques
Practising mindfulness allows individuals to slow down and notice how their thoughts and feelings fuel their emotions and behaviours.
Mindfulness therapy in Toronto helps you observe how you might become distracted, racked by rumination, and resistant in your daily life.
Mindfulness Meditation
Many of us run on โautopilotโ rather than simply enjoying the present moment. All this is not surprising, especially considering the pressures and expectations of modern living!
Mindfulness therapy helps bring us back to ourselves and our current surroundings, allowing us to feel more regulated, aligned, and better connected to the mind and body.
But thatโs not all.
Mindfulness therapy teaches individuals various strategies to help free them from deeply embedded thought and behaviour patterns that may hold them back.
The great news is that you can start practising mindfulness any time, even if youโve never tried it; speak to a specialist today for further information and support.
Therapeutic Strategies
The goal of treatment is to help individuals develop more helpful, positive perspectives and behaviours, which can improve their quality of life and overall well-being.
While grounded in ancient Eastern philosophy and Buddhist teachings, mindfulness is not limited to any particular philosophy or religion.
Meaning anyone can practise mindfulness.
There is no limit to who can learn mindfulness techniques and interventions; these ancient teachings are ingrained within us.
However, through regular practice and mindfulness exercises, we can further nurture and develop these skills and techniques to promote lasting psychological health and well-being.
What is Mindfulness-Based Therapy?
Mindfulness-based therapy, also called mindfulness therapy, is a type of psychotherapy that promotes good physical and mental health through mindfulness practice.
Guided by a therapist, mindfulness skills are learned and practised to help re-balance neural networks.
Why is This So Important?
Mindfulness interventions encourage you to move away from automatic (often harmful) thoughts, feelings and reactions by becoming more aware of the present moment and your surroundings.
In this space, you wonโt be as anxious and overwhelmed by what is happening around you.
Meditative Practices
When practised regularly, mindfulness techniques offer a long-term solution that individuals can continue using in their everyday lives following treatment.
According to mental health specialists, mindfulness-based therapy is an effective treatment for various ailments, with increased empirical evidence to support its many benefits.
What is Mindfulness-Based Therapy Used to Treat?
Research is ongoing into mindfulness techniques within therapy settings; however, the current scientific research is encouraging.
Moreover, inpatient treatment helps avoid daily triggers and stressors and is necessary for patients suffering from substance use and mental health disorders.
Mindfulness therapy is recommended as a treatment to help people manage various physical and psychological health conditions, including:
Moreover, studies continue to explore the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy in treating a broad range of physical health issues, including:
Types of Therapy that Incorporate Mindfulness
Mindfulness-based interventions are becoming widely accepted methods of addressing symptoms associated with various mental and emotional disorders. Additionally, mindfulness practices are some of the most versatile therapies since they can be used as a single treatment or in conjunction with other therapy types.
Therapies that involve mindfulness techniques include:
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy [MBCT]
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy used to help people suffering from repeated bouts of depression.
MBCT blends the ideas of cognitive therapy with meditative mindfulness practices.
Treatment involves accepting your thoughts and feelings without judgement rather than attempting to overanalyze or change their content.
With this type of therapy, you can make radical (positive) shifts in your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations that may be contributing to your depressive relapses.
All this is achieved by learning to respond more effectively to unhelpful thoughts and behaviour patterns that do not serve you.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction [MBSR]
Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy (MBSR) was the first mindfulness program developed within a healthcare setting.
Initially designed for stress management, MBSR is an effective treatment frequently used for treating mental health conditions, including:
MBSR uses traditional meditation, yoga, and stretching exercises which involve shifting the focus from breathing to an expanded awareness of thoughts, sensations, and feelings.
This treatment allows individuals to integrate mindfulness into their daily lives while reducing stress and improving overall health.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
[DBT]
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive behaviour therapy used to treat people with severe mental health issues that are typically linked to the following conditions:
In DBT, treatment focuses on acceptance (accepting things as they currently are) while learning to adapt and manage challenging emotions.
DBT Techniques
DBT focuses on four primary techniques to help people manage their symptoms. These techniques include:
Initially designed for stress management, MBSR is an effective treatment frequently used for treating mental health conditions, including:
These principles help you find more helpful ways to manage your emotions, improve your well-being and bring about lasting positive change.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy [ACT]
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an action-oriented approach where individuals focus on accepting what troubles them while actively committing to a course of action for change.
Mindfulness techniques are used in ACT to help people see things more clearly, allowing them to bridge the gap between acceptance and commitment.
Acceptance and commitment therapy is used to treat the following mental health conditions effectively:
Other Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Other examples of mindfulness therapies where mindfulness techniques can be applied include:
What Does Mindfulness-Based Therapy In Toronto Involve?
Mindfulness-based therapy can be used in various therapeutic settings, including:
During mindfulness-based therapy, your therapist will teach you a wide range of mindfulness techniques, including basic knowledge of cognition (i.e., the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours).
In between sessions, your therapist will assign homework tasks designed to encourage you to practise, develop and strengthen your knowledge and experience around mindfulness.
The ultimate goal is to help you establish a more routine mindfulness practice that can be used in every aspect of your life to help you find more peace, balance, and fulfillment.
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness Practice
The four foundations of mindfulness-based therapy in Toronto can help alleviate psychological stress and promote lasting well-being are:
Some of the mindfulness techniques used in therapy include:
When using a combination of the above techniques, individuals learn two essential skills which help increase self-regulation, creativity, and mental, emotional, and behavioural flexibility.
Essential Skills Taught in Mindfulness Therapy.
There are two primary skills taught during mindfulness therapy in Toronto, they include:
How Effective is Mindfulness-Based Therapy?
The practice of mindfulness has existed for thousands of years, though the term has only recently gained recognition in academic medicine and psychology. We now understand how mindfulness techniques can alter the brain’s structure and function, thanks to ongoing research. Mindfulness is among the most effective methods for producing targeted biological changes in the brain, making it possibleโthrough consistent practiceโto train the mind towards greater happiness.
An increasing empirical evidence base supports mindfulness-based therapyโs effectiveness in treating a spectrum of physical and mental health issues. As a result, mindfulness is integrated into various aspects of life in Western societies, including schools, sports, business, prisons, and government.
Additional Benefits of Mindfulness
Research shows the many benefits of mindfulness and how it can help to:
Now is the time to start your journey to health and wellness.
Please contact us for more information on our mindfulness therapy program in Toronto. Learn more about how mindfulness-based therapy at Centres for Health and Healing can benefit you or a loved one
We are here and ready to help!
To learn more about our individualized treatment program, contact us at our recovery centre in Toronto for further support and information