Mindfulness is now regarded as an important therapeutic tool. In simple terms, mindfulness is an ability to be fully present when it comes to thoughts, feelings and senses. Instead of being overwhelmed by these emotions and stressful situations, you are simply aware of them and allow yourself the space to be calm and in control of the situation.

Mindfulness is used in a range of different therapies. This includes dialectal behaviour therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and various therapies that tackle addiction and abuse. However, it can mainly be found in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), where clients are encouraged to talk about their feelings and to become more aware of their behaviour patterns. People turn to CBT for the treatment of a range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders and panic disorders.

A CBT therapist will use mindfulness to confront negative behaviours that can allow for a toxic cycle to continue in the client’s life. The client will talk about past experiences that may have shaped their behaviours today. The CBT therapist will then use mindfulness to help deconstruct these experiences. The patient will be encouraged to consider their thoughts and feelings. They will then be asked to take action to confront them.

Mindfulness is a very useful technique to help people see themselves in a more positive light. By living in the moment, we rely less on immediate thoughts and feelings. Instead, we enjoy ourselves and are able to realise when we are becoming depressed or too focused on our problems. That’s why it’s perfect for a range of therapists to use as a technique.