R127: The Mindful Therapist

Today, the therapeutic benefits of mindfulness are widely accepted and have been repeatedly documented by researchers. This Reading Course is designed to help you bring more mindfulness and presence into your work as well as offering concrete clinical ideas about applying mindfulness in the consulting room. Jon Kabat-Zinn examines common misconceptions about meditation and explains why spirituality is one of his least favorite words. Both Christopher Germer and Lorne Ladner demonstrate the advantages and pitfalls of using meditative techniques in practice. Jay Lebow offers a detailed overview of what science tells us about the value of mindfulness practice. Michael Ventura explores what therapy might have to each us about the experience of soul.

Course Readings

The Power of Paying Attention: What Jon Kabat-Zinn Has against Spirituality by Richard Simon & Mary Sykes Wylie

You Gotta Have Heart by Christopher Germer

Mindfulness Goes Mainstream: Research Is Proving the Value of Awareness Practices by Jay Lebow

Bringing Mindfulness to Your Practice: When Meditation Helps, and When It Doesn’t by Lorne Ladner

The Experience of Soul: Listening for Life’s Transformative Moments by Michael Ventura

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss the impact of mindfulness meditation on stress
2. Develop interventions that encourage loving kindness in clients
3. Identify clients who benefit, and don't benefit, from meditation