1. Mindfulness in Counseling
Candice L. Mowrey, PhD, LPCS

2. Goals Understand what mindfulness is and what it is not
Identify clients that could benefit from mindfulness strategies
Practice what you preach…
…then teach
Common barriers
Resources

3. Connection with present moment
What is mindfulness?
“Paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, without judgment.” John Kabat-Zinn
Intentional
Non-judgmental
Active
Connection with present moment
Observation

4. What Mindfulness is not
Avoidance
Detachment
Emotionless
An endpoint
Absence of thought

5. Who is appropriate?
Mindfulness has been proven beneficial for individuals with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, personality disorders, substance use diagnoses, and severe/persistent mental illness
Mindfulness has not been contraindicated for any population so far

6. Where do I start?
The most common question I get from clients when discussing mindfulness is “so, do YOU meditate?”
Client buy-in may be related to counselor practice

7. Basics
Sit comfortably, but alertly, closing your eyes if that’s comfortable.
Take a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Put your attention on your breath—the tip of your nose, your stomach rising and falling.
As you breath think to yourself “I am breathing in, I am breathing out.”
WHEN you become distracted by thoughts, noises, physical sensations, acknowledge them and return your attention to your breathing.

8. Teaching mindfulness
Make mindfulness an in session activity, not just a homework assignment
Do the activity along with your client
Start with short 3-5 minute exercises, encourage meditating for longer periods outside of session
Speak slowly, softly, and repeat instructions
Guided meditations are also an option

9. Meditation Log

10. Common Barriers “It didn’t work.” “I didn’t do it right.”
Clients understandably want their pain to stop, and may perceive any technique you teach as an immediate means to that end. “Working” as it pertains to mindfulness lies in the willingness to be with thoughts and feelings as they arise.
“I didn’t do it right.”
If you sat for 1 minute and attempted to attend to your breathing, you did it right.
Boredom, physical discomfort, apparent increase in negative emotion, frustration

11. “Meditation practice isn't about trying to throw ourselves away or become something better. It's about befriending who we are already.” 
Pema Chodron

12. Resources
The Courage to be Present, Karen Kissel Wegela A Path with Heart, Jack Kornfield The Chopra Center, Guided Meditations Working with barriers to meditation (shenpa), talk by Pema Chodron shenpa-getting-hooked-in-meditation/