...Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Reaction Paper Denise Dugan California Baptist University Author Note This paper is being submitted to Dr. Kristen White in partial fulfillment for the requirements for MFT Counseling Techniques, PSY 525, on March 1, 2014. Abstract Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a group therapy approach that utilizes mindfulness techniques and cognitive therapy for depression relapse prevention. This paper will reflect the effectiveness of MBCT from a personal worldview. It will also discuss if MBCT can be utilized in different areas of psychological treatment including: marriage and family therapy, patients with anxiety, culturally diverse groups, and in working with religious patients. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Reaction Paper Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a group therapy treatment that integrates mindfulness and cognitive therapy practices to help individuals that suffer from recurrent depression in the prevention of depression relapse. Zindel Segal, John Teasdale, and Mark Williams developed MBCT, which was adapted from the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) work of Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center for helping people with chronic physical illnesses (Sipe & Eisendrath, 2011). The core element of this treatment modality is mindfulness. MBCT teaches focus on the here and now and to be mindful of the thoughts that are taking place. Mindfulness...
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...How Does Mindfulness Benefit The Brain Physically And Physiologically? Our minds can process 126 pieces of information every second, and there is still so much that we do not notice. Mindfulness benefits the brain physically and physiologically in many ways such as the increase in the density of gray matter, preventing the brain from aging, reducing anxiety and depression, helping with addiction, and helping with concentration and focus. Mindfulness affects the brain physically and physiologically in many positive ways Physically Increases In The Density Of Grey Matter Mindfulness has been proven to increase the amount of gray matter in 4 major areas of the brain the Left Hippocampus, the Posterior Cingulate Cortex, the Left Temporoparietal Junction, and the Cerebellum. However, I will be discussing the two most important areas that we are most aware of in our everyday life. The first area that had shown an increase in gray matter was the left hippocampus. The left hippocampus control Emotion regulation and memory. In the past mindfulness...
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...Mindfulness practices like Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are rooted in Buddhist traditions but it is delivered independently from the religious and cultural origins in mental health practices (Sipe & Eisendrath, 2012; Baer 2003). MBCT was created by cognitive therapists John Teasdale, Mark Williams and Zindel Segal as a form of therapy that combines aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT) and Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme (Williams, Russel, & Russel, 2008; Shapiro & Carlson, 2009). The programme was originally developed to target the cognitive vulnerability in patients with depressive relapse to help them break habitual dysfunctional cognitive patterns, to reduce the recurrence or relapse of depression (Van der Velden, et al. 2015; Williams, et al. 2008). The combination of cognitive and mindfulness based therapy provides a long term form of preventing relapse (Shapiro and Carlson, 2009). Usual CBT concentrates on teaching patient’s how to cognitively approach and understand the aetiology of mood disorder and then apply certain skills to change dysfunctional and automatic thoughts (Beck, as cited in Manicavasgar, Parker, & Perich, 2011). The mindfulness component of the MBCT programme focuses on teaching patients to become aware of their bodily sensations, thoughts and feelings in a non-judgemental way. This awareness allows patients to face difficulties and discomfort from a perspective where they...
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...The Truth About Mindfulness You may have heard of the word mindful and that people practice mindfulness to help them get through their everyday lives. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the ability to be present, know where you are in the moment and what you are doing at this time. It is also about not becoming overwhelmed or overreacting to things that happen in our lives. Everyone has mindfulness inside them but just have to learn how to tap into it. Who Is It For? It is for anyone but it can especially help people with certain health issues. People who have Cancer as well as other chronic issues can benefit from being mindful and practicing mindfulness. A study by Labelle, Cambell, Ferrs and Carleson found that people who participated...
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...(Barrett, Dadds & Rapee, 1996). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used evidence-based psychological Intervention for treating depressive symptoms (Tovote, Schroevers, Snippe, Emmelkamp, Links, Sanderman & Fleer, 2017). Cognitive behavioural therapy has numerous techniques that can be used on patients. One of which is Mindfulness based cognitive therapy...
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...Mindfulness meditation means to be aware of the present moment while acknowledging your thoughts, and emotions. It’s the 21st century and we are always so busy trying to achieve what society labels as the “perfect life”, that we lose sight of what’s really important to us. The minds of high school students are always filled with random thoughts, denying them the order needed for optimal functioning. For students who get easily stressed and distracted, mindfulness can make them more focused, decrease stress and improve memory. Mindfulness also has many physical benefits like enhancing one's general health, boosting neuroplasticity, and facilitating their recovery from traumatizing events. Lastly, mindfulness had social advantages such as increasing...
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...Mind and Mindfulness “Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience.” -- Jon Kabat Zinn Most of our sufferings lie in the past or the future. Do you agree? A man who has lost his job gets more upset thinking what he would do next, a person who has undergone a separation from his/her partner gets sad thinking about the good old memories. Most of it is either in the past regrets or in the future anticipations, that causes the present to suffer. The Psychology of Mindfulness, or Mindfulness in itself, is the mental phenomena of bringing one’s consciousness to focus on the “present”, on what is happening “now”, on what we are experiencing “at this moment.” Mindfulness works well because it helps us in making aware of our...
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...provide an analytical view of the chosen article, determining the applicability of the findings, the clinical importance, the validity and the reliability of the issue addressed in the article. There are many different types of mediation practices. Transcendental meditation and mindfulness based stress reduction meditation are two of the most commonly researched. Meditation is now widely accepted into mainstream and is being used as a way for maintaining health and wellness. Several medical and rehabilitation facilities have proved meditation to be a safe and effective tool for treating: “stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, tinnitus, congestive heart failure, general pain, as well as many other health ailments. (Natural Medicine Database, 2014) Article Introduction The introduction to the study was clear and concise. It clearly identified what the researchers were looking to establish. The introduction explains that mindfulness meditation is defined as “paying attention on purpose, being in the present moment, and reacting non-judgmentally to the unfolding of experiences moment by moment.” It also educates the reader about mindfulness mediation and the many health benefits it can have on certain populations. The researchers had two purposes for this research study. The first purpose...
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...Mindfulness meditation is one type of technique which helps individuals control their emotions when they feel depressed, anxious or stressed. According to an article in Psychology today (Bergland, 2013) “Mindfulness meditation strengthens a person’s cognitive ability to regulate emotions” (para 2). I believe individuals who use mindfulness meditation techniques will receive the motivation they need to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. According to further academic research article posted by the Daily mail (Fernandez, 2015) “An Oxford University study found that following mindfulness procedures focusing on breathing and suspending judgment and criticism was effective at treating depression” (para 7). Both of the sources provided evidence that mindfulness meditation techniques help individuals cope and overcome many different types of mental illnesses. Although mindfulness meditation has become a popular choice for those seeking to cope with their stress and anxiety, they’re many different alternatives, which include; driving, playing sports, writing, painting, and listening to music. When humans get involved with meditation, spiritual beliefs, or other activities their chances...
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...Martinez, & Simpson (2012) conducted a study of the effects of participation in a mindfulness program for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. I believe that PTSD is a state of mind that an individual has or how the deal with a certain traumatic event that has taken place in their life. According to Santrock (2006), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that develops through exposure to a traumatic event, such as war; severely oppressive situations, such as the Holocaust; severe abuse, as in rape; natural disasters, such as floods and tornados; and unnatural disasters, such as plane crashes (p.132). Much of what is known about PTSD comes from individuals who have developed the disorder because of combat and war-related traumas. Kearney et al. (2012) studied using new research to assess outcomes associated with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for veterans with PTSD. It has been suggested that acceptance of mindfulness-based approaches may be useful in the treatment of PTSD, though currently outcome data are lacking (Kearney et al., 2012). There were initially 167 veterans referred to the MBSR during the study period. From the charts I found that after orientation and evaluation of the subjects only forty-seven veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder were randomized to treatment as usual (TAU; n = 22), or MBRS plus TAU (n = 25). PTSD, depression, and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were assessed at baseline, post...
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...to understand how what may appear minor in their opinion could negatively affect their client in the greatest way. A scenario of a 45 year-old Hispanic female diagnosed with clinical depression will be used as a hypothetical case and the approach in helping her will be explored. The attempt to analyze, diagnose and treat her effectively given her unique situation is the goal. With each case and clinician being different it is apparent that unique interviewing skills and techniques must be applied differently for each client. Each person’s set of circumstances and personal characteristics should be considered one of a kind and handle as such. The clinician’s goal is to prepare a stage for the client to become open and accept guidance to healing. Communication Style Griselda Martinez was referred to me by her social worker handling her Child Protective Services case. She is court ordered to have 16 weeks of therapy as part of her reunification plan. Her 12 year-old daughter was removed from the home and placed in temporary foster care because the school psychologist reported possible child neglect and endangerment. Griselda has attempted suicide twice and her daughter witnessed both attempts. She is currently not under doctor’s care and taking no prescribed medications to deal with the depression. The first interview is arranged at her home since she expressed extreme difficulty in leaving her home. I plan to wear casual clothing since we are meeting in her home environment...
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...implicate in a future study. As mentioned in the study, inmates had different release dates, some closer than other which could have affected their stress and anxiety levels. As well, some inmates were released earlier than expected lower the participant number. For the future, it may be beneficial to start selecting offenders that have similar release dates. The prison setting is filled with unpredictable situations and events that can have a positive or negative impact on participants which in turn can affect results and scoring (Ferszt, Miller, Hickey, Maul, & Crisp, 2015). Implications for the Authors Practice As a psychiatric nurse currently working in a female correctional facility it is accurate that most incarcerated women do suffer...
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...of the population, therefore would be more of a representation of validity and reliability of the treatment. Research that has been done using the standard DBT treatment as usual, there has been a significant change in outcomes. Many of the studies have found a decrease in suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, substance abuse, self-injury, and inpatient hospitalization (Linehan,...
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...Though not a magic spell to rid our lives of stress, anxiety, depression and pessimism, mindfulness exercises can empower us to cope and manage our physical response to these aggravating factors in life. Appealing to me is the benefits to children and family, particularly the components of mindful breathing and gratitude, as well as examples of corrobative journal articles and studies supporting these benefits. 10 Mindful Minutes For this assignment I was excited and motivated to read Goldie Hawn and Wendy Holden’s book, 10 Mindful Minutes My own children are older elementary and high school ages now, but I remember interviews of the author when this book was published in 2011, and being a mother of young children at the time, drawn to suggested...
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...Group Therapy Interventions for Combat Veterans Suffering from PTSD Name Academic Institution Author Note Class Professor Date Group Therapy Interventions for Combat Veterans Suffering from PTSD The process of group therapy can be extremely beneficial for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the interventions used in the group therapy setting must be appropriate to each individual within the group, adding a level of complexity to the job of the therapist choosing the interventions. By using a number of different therapeutic theories and interventions, the therapist can hope for the best possible results for the group as a whole and for the individual clients. Some of the most flexible therapeutic frameworks that work well in group therapy settings are cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and psychoeducation. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a popular therapeutic framework that has been used with great success with patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. One intervention suitable to the group therapy setting is thought-stopping. Thought-stopping involves analyzing the thought patterns our brains have created and interrupting the process at the point where thoughts begin to turn irrational. For example, in the group therapy setting a member of the group may report that while walking on the sidewalk one day, a man began to approach from the opposite direction and the group member, a combat veteran...
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