
What Does It Mean to Bring Both Eastern and Western Psychology into Therapy?
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In a word "Mindfulness" practice in my work with clients brings together both Eastern and Western philosophies of psychology. I dig into my readings of Eastern teachings such as Tibetan Buddhism and I do this so I can authentically tell stories that motivate clients. I want to make it very clear how their hard work with these skills is going to make their life better. Mindfulness is thought to have originated with Buddhism, but the practice actually goes back at least 4,000 years in Yogic, Taoist and Judaic traditions.
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There are a variety of definitions for mindfulness and is a term that is widely overused so I will share how I use it with clients. Mindfulness is a set of psychological skills for effective living that involves paying attention with openness, curiosity, kindness and flexibility. Western philosophies of psychology and behavior now have the support of science to back up the effectiveness of Mindfulness skills. The skills are diverse so, let's break it down to what you'll encounter in sessions with me.
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Skills for unlocking painful emotions and teaching you to expand around and learn what these feelings are telling you. This can help you stop Avoiding and pushing down your pain.
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Practices to help you 'get out of your head' and 'into your life'. We can't stop our brain from thinking, but I can help you avoid unhelpful thinking traps. You can learn to be present into what is actually happening and not look through the lense of your inner critic
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Mindfulness skills that help increase your focus and flexibly put your attention where you want it to be. It teaches you to zoom in or zoom out to what is going on around you, as desired.
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Mindful attention practices use genuiness, kindness and grace. It's warm caring attention that a loving friend gives to another. It teaches to notice judgment and be self-compassionate.
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I use a wide variety of mindfulness-based practices and it not meditation! Meditation can be a very helpful practice also and I use it from time to time. There are many different types of meditation styles some of which are extremely different from mindfulness. We will never be trying to 'free the mind from all thoughts' for example. Most of the skills, tools and practices that I use are nothing like formal meditation. Sometimes we can even try to make them 'fun' but, we will always find a way to make them fit easily into your life. I don't believe big changes can be made by just talking in the counseling session. I believe that learning and practicing skills is the key.
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