Quick Overview: What does mindfulness practice ask you to notice? Mindfulness involves maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. In psychotherapy, mindfulness and relaxation techniques can be possible elements, including meditation and breathing exercises, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. This information is general: it does not determine whether mindfulness practice in therapy fits a particular person or what outcome a person may experience.
What Present-Moment Awareness Means in Mindfulness
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. That description is the central answer to what mindfulness practice asks a person to notice: the present moment, with an emphasis on awareness that is not judgmental.
The source describes meditation as a variety of practices involving mind-and-body integration. Some meditative techniques involve maintaining mental focus on a particular sensation, including breathing, a sound, a visual image, or a mantra. A mantra is a repeated word or phrase.
Some forms of meditation include mindfulness. The examples of breathing, sound, visual imagery, and a mantra describe possible points of focus in meditation; they do not establish which practices may be included in a particular therapy approach.
Nonjudgmental Awareness Is Part of the Definition
Nonjudgmental awareness is part of the NCCIH description of mindfulness. In that description, awareness of the present moment is maintained without making judgments.
Mindfulness programs may combine practices with other activities. NCCIH describes mindfulness-based stress reduction as a program that teaches mindful meditation and also includes discussion sessions and strategies for applying what participants have learned to stressful experiences. NCCIH also describes mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as integrating mindfulness practices with aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy.
These program descriptions do not establish what an individual therapist includes in psychotherapy. A useful question is: What does mindfulness mean within the approach you use?
How Mindfulness May Appear in Psychotherapy
The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy as a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. NIMH states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on their training, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
According to NIMH, possible elements of psychotherapy include mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises. Other possible elements include identifying ways to cope with stress, developing problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, tracking emotions and behaviors, and supportive counseling.
This list shows that mindfulness can be included among possible psychotherapy techniques. It does not show that mindfulness is included in every form of psychotherapy, every individual therapy service, or every therapist’s approach.
Questions Can Clarify an Approach
NIMH notes that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. Its suggested topics include the therapist’s approach, the rationale and evidence base for that approach, therapy goals, time frame, and how progress may be assessed.
For mindfulness in individual therapy, questions can clarify whether mindfulness or relaxation techniques are part of the approach being discussed. They can also clarify how a therapist describes meditation, breathing exercises, or other techniques.
A general article cannot determine the techniques a particular therapist may use, whether mindfulness is a fit for a particular person, or what may happen in therapy.
What Research Does and Does Not Establish
NCCIH reports that research on mindfulness and meditation has examined stress, anxiety, depression, pain, sleep, and other topics. It also states that much of the research in these areas has been preliminary or not scientifically rigorous. Because studies have examined different types of meditation and mindfulness practices, and because effects can be difficult to measure, research findings can be difficult to analyze and may be interpreted too optimistically.
NCCIH states that meditation and mindfulness practices are usually considered to have few risks. It also states that relatively few studies have examined potentially harmful effects, so definite statements about safety are not possible. Negative experiences related to meditation practices have been reported in research.
Research findings should not be presented as a guarantee or prediction for an individual reader. The research notes for this article do not determine personal fit or clinical outcomes.
Reflection Questions for Present-Moment Awareness
The following questions are for reflection or discussion. They are not a self-assessment and do not determine whether mindfulness in therapy is appropriate for a particular person.
| Reflection question | Question to explore with a therapist |
|---|---|
| What does present-moment awareness mean to me? | How do you define mindfulness in your approach? |
| What questions do I have about awareness without making judgments? | How do you describe nonjudgmental awareness? |
| Am I interested in learning about meditation or breathing exercises? | Do you include mindfulness or relaxation techniques? |
| What would I want to understand about a therapy approach? | What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach? |
| What questions do I have about therapy goals? | How would progress be assessed? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
NIMH identifies questions about approach, rationale, evidence base, goals, time frame, and progress assessment as useful topics for a preliminary conversation.
- How do you describe mindfulness practice in therapy?
- Does your approach include mindfulness or relaxation techniques, such as meditation or breathing exercises?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you use?
- How would mindfulness relate to the goals we discuss?
- How will progress be assessed?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mindfulness practice in therapy?
Mindfulness involves maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. NIMH states that psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
Is mindfulness the same as meditation?
NCCIH describes meditation as a variety of mind-and-body practices. Some forms of meditation include mindfulness. Mindfulness is described by NCCIH as awareness of the present moment without making judgments.
Can psychotherapy include breathing exercises?
Yes. NIMH lists breathing exercises among relaxation techniques that psychotherapy can include. This does not establish that breathing exercises are part of every psychotherapy approach.
Does research show what mindfulness will do for me?
No. The sources describe research findings and their limitations, but they do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan is the therapist named by Rooted Integrative Therapy. Access includes in-person services near Orem and Provo and virtual therapy across Utah.
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.
Sources and Further Reading
These authoritative resources provide general background for this article:
- nccih.nih.gov: Meditation And Mindfulness Effectiveness And Safety
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
A Grounded Next Step
If you are considering mindfulness in individual therapy, you may wish to keep the consultation questions above for a preliminary conversation. Rooted Integrative Therapy’s connection page is available at https://tryrootedtherapy.com/connect/.