What is Mindfulness?

 

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a modified form of cognitive therapy that incorporates mindfulness practices that include present moment awareness, meditation, and breathing exercises. This therapy was formulated to address low-level depression and anxiety.

 

Using these tools, the mindfulness-based therapist teaches a person to be in the here and now as well as break away from negative thought patterns that can cause a decline into a mood-disordered state; this therapy can help a person fight off a difficult frame of mind before it takes hold.

 

There is an element of cognitive behavioural therapy within the course.  The aim of the course is to increase awareness of our thoughts, so that we can respond to situations with choice rather than react automatically to thoughts or events.  Through focussing on the here and now we begin to recognise our thoughts as they come in and learn to treat them as just that …. a thought.

 

How can Mindfulness help me?

 

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can benefit anybody through encouraging better awareness of thinking patterns and offering a tool to help us let go of distressing and unhelpful thoughts.  It is particularly effective in the treatment of low-level anxiety, stress and depression, as people with those illnesses find it particularly difficult to switch off the negative thoughts and often find they are unable to concentrate or fall asleep at night because of their busy minds. 

 

Mindfulness will help participants learn to focus on the here and now, letting go of distressing thoughts and provide a feeling of being back in control again.