Mindfulness Counseling
You may be halfway through your day before you realize how tense, distracted, or overwhelmed you feel. Mindfulness can give us a way to notice those experiences together and talk about what you need.
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I’m a Certified Mindfulness Teacher through the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults. I teach Mindful Living to undergraduate and graduate students. I incorporate mindfulness into therapy when it fits the concerns we’re working on and your response to the practice.
Start With What You Notice
Mindfulness involves paying attention to your experience in the present. That might include a thought, an emotion, a physical sensation, or something in your surroundings. In therapy, we can explore a tightening jaw during a difficult conversation, thoughts that keep repeating, or the urge to pull away from someone. What you notice can become part of a conversation about your feelings, needs, and choices.
How Mindfulness Can Fit Into a Session
We might pause during a conversation to notice what is happening, or consider a brief practice with a particular focus. We can then talk about what you experienced and whether it was useful.
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You can ask questions, tell me what you’ve tried before, and let me know when an exercise feels uncomfortable or unhelpful. We can pause and decide how to proceed.
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We can practice:
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Noticing stress earlier
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Recognizing what you need
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Choosing how to respond
Common Questions About Mindfulness in Therapy
Do I need to know how to meditate?
No prior meditation experience is needed. We can discuss what a practice involves and whether you want to try it as part of therapy.
What if focusing on my breath or body makes me uncomfortable?
Tell me. Practices can affect people differently. We can pause and consider another focus or a different approach based on what you’re experiencing.
Will mindfulness stop my thoughts?
Thoughts can keep showing up during mindfulness. The practice involves noticing them and returning attention when it wanders. We can talk about frustration or other reactions that come up.
Can mindfulness be part of trauma therapy or EMDR?
We can discuss whether mindfulness is useful alongside your other therapy work, including EMDR. Your history, goals, and response help guide that decision.