Mindfulness-Based Therapy

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness involves learning to pay attention to our present-moment experience with greater awareness, curiosity and less judgement.

Our minds naturally become caught up in thoughts about the past or future. At difficult times, we can also find ourselves responding automatically to thoughts, emotions or physical sensations in ways that can unintentionally add to our distress.

Mindfulness practice can help us become more aware of these patterns. Rather than trying to stop difficult thoughts or feelings, mindfulness can help us notice our experiences and develop greater choice in how we respond to them.

Mindfulness based cognitive therapy

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) brings together mindfulness practices with elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

I am trained in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression (MBCT-D) and have experience delivering this approach to adults who have experienced depression. 

MBCT-D is particularly focused on helping people recognise patterns of thinking and responding that can contribute to recurrence of depression, and developing skills that may help them relate differently to these experiences.

What does mindfulness practice involve? 

Mindfulness is something we learn through experience rather than simply understanding intellectually. Therapy therefore involves practising mindfulness exercises initially in session and reflecting on what you notice.

Practices may involve bringing attention to the breath, body, thoughts, emotions or everyday activities. You will usually be encouraged to practise between sessions so that these skills can become part of everyday life.

Mindfulness is not about emptying your mind, stopping thoughts or trying to feel relaxed all the time. Instead, it involves learning to notice what is already happening with greater awareness and developing different ways of responding.

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Depression (MBCT-D) Groups

MBCT-D can also be offered as a structured group programme for people who have experienced recurrent depression.

The programme combines mindfulness practices with elements of cognitive therapy and provides an opportunity to develop skills for recognising patterns of thinking and responding that can contribute to future episodes of depression.

The group involves regular mindfulness practice during sessions and at home between sessions. It is an active programme, and there is an emphasis on developing skills that can continue to be used after the group has finished.

Interested in a future group?

Groups may be offered online or in person in Carmarthenshire, depending on demand and availability.

If you have experienced recurrent depression and would be interested in a future group, you are welcome to get in touch to register your interest. Registering your interest does not commit you to taking part. Before joining a group, we would have an individual conversation to consider whether MBCT-D is appropriate for you.