Quick Overview: What should you consider about mindfulness practices in therapy? Ask what the term means in the specific service, what activities may be discussed, and what information supports the approach. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as attention to the present moment without judgment. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation methods, including meditation and breathing exercises. Research and public information cannot determine personal fit, individual experience, or outcomes.
Understanding Mindfulness Practices in Therapy
Mindfulness involves present-moment attention without judgment
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. This description identifies a central feature of mindfulness: present-moment awareness without judgment.
The same source describes meditation as a variety of practices focused on mind and body integration. Some meditation practices involve mental focus on a sensation, such as breathing, a sound, a visual image, or a repeated word or phrase. Some forms of meditation include mindfulness practice.
These descriptions can support a practical question when mindfulness is mentioned in therapy: What does mindfulness mean in this approach? A general definition does not answer what may be discussed or used within a particular service.
Psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation methods
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Its examples include meditation and breathing exercises. This means these methods may be included in psychotherapy; it does not establish that they are included in every therapy service.
NIMH also states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on their training, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment. The available information does not determine which methods may be part of a specific service.
NCCIH explains that programs teaching meditation or mindfulness may combine the practices with other activities. For example, mindfulness-based stress reduction teaches mindful meditation and also includes discussion sessions and other strategies intended to help people apply what they have learned to stressful experiences. NCCIH also states that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy integrates mindfulness practices with aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy.
These examples show why a plain-language description can be useful. Rather than assuming what a named approach includes, ask what activities or methods are being discussed.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy provides individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. For general questions about services, visit the Rooted Integrative Therapy connection page.
Mindfulness Considerations and Research Limits
Research does not determine an individual experience
NCCIH reports that research has examined meditation and mindfulness practices across several topics. It also notes that much of this research has been preliminary or not scientifically rigorous. Studies have examined different types of meditation and mindfulness practices, and their effects can be difficult to measure.
For those reasons, public research does not determine what a particular person will experience from mindfulness, meditation, or a therapy approach that includes them. It also does not answer whether a particular practice fits a particular person or service.
A respectful boundary is important here: broad descriptions of research are not individualized conclusions. A conversation with a therapist or practice can focus on what the approach involves and what information is available about it.
Safety conclusions remain limited
NCCIH states that meditation and mindfulness practices are usually considered to have few risks. At the same time, it notes that few studies have examined potentially harmful effects. NCCIH therefore states that definite conclusions about safety are not possible.
This limitation does not support broad assurances about meditation or mindfulness. It supports asking clear questions about the proposed approach and sharing questions that arise during a conversation about therapy.
The available sources do not establish a universal comparison between mindfulness-related approaches and other psychotherapy approaches. They also do not determine whether meditation, breathing exercises, or another mindfulness-related activity will be part of a particular service.
Reflection Questions for Mindfulness Considerations
Use questions to clarify what is being considered
| Topic | Questions for reflection | Questions for a therapist or practice |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | What do I understand mindfulness to mean? | “How do you describe mindfulness in your approach?” |
| Activities | Am I asking about present-moment attention, meditation, breathing exercises, or relaxation techniques? | “What mindfulness-related activities may be discussed?” |
| Approach | Is a named program or a broader therapy approach being mentioned? | “Is this connected to a particular program or method?” |
| Information | What does available research say, and what does it not determine? | “What information can you share about the rationale for this approach?” |
| Boundaries | What would I want clarified before considering a mindfulness-related activity? | “What would mindfulness involve in this service, if it is included?” |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Ask for a clear description of the approach
- “What do mindfulness practices in therapy mean in your approach?”
- “Are you referring to mindfulness, meditation, relaxation techniques, or a combination of methods?”
- “What mindfulness-related activities may be part of the service?”
- “Is the approach connected to a particular mindfulness program or therapy method?”
- “What information can you share about the rationale and research for the approach?”
- “What questions should I consider about mindfulness-related practices before deciding whether to discuss them further?”
Frequently Asked Questions About Mindfulness in Therapy
What is mindfulness?
According to NCCIH, mindfulness involves maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments.
Is meditation part of every mindfulness-related therapy service?
The available information does not establish what is included in every service. NIMH states that psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation methods, including meditation and breathing exercises.
Are breathing exercises always mindfulness practices?
The sources do not establish that breathing exercises are mindfulness practices in every context. NIMH lists them among mindfulness and relaxation techniques that psychotherapy can include.
Do mindfulness programs include only meditation?
Not necessarily. NCCIH states that programs teaching meditation or mindfulness may combine these practices with other activities. Its mindfulness-based stress reduction example includes mindful meditation, discussion sessions, and other strategies.
Can research predict what mindfulness will be like for me?
No. The supplied information does not determine personal fit, individual experience, or outcomes. NCCIH also notes that definite safety conclusions are not possible because potentially harmful effects have received limited study.
Sources and Further Reading
These authoritative resources provide general background for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- nccih.nih.gov: Meditation And Mindfulness Effectiveness And Safety
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy welcomes general inquiries about individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. To ask general questions, visit the Rooted Integrative Therapy connection page.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.
This article is for general education only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for individualized mental-health care. A qualified mental-health professional can help you consider what fits your circumstances.