What Mindfulness Can Mean
Quick Overview: Yes. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. Mindfulness may be included among psychotherapy practices, but the available information does not establish that it is part of every therapy experience, appropriate for every person, or associated with a particular outcome for an individual.
The phrase mindfulness in therapy can raise useful questions. A source-based definition can clarify the term, while leaving important personal questions open. The available information does not determine whether mindfulness is a fit for a particular reader, what a therapy conversation will include, or what result someone may experience.
Present-Moment Awareness in the Available Definition
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, mindfulness involves maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. This is the central definition supported by the available source material.
The same source discusses meditation as a variety of practices focused on mind and body integration. Some meditation techniques focus mental attention on a sensation, such as breathing, a sound, a visual image, or a repeated word or phrase. Other forms of meditation include mindfulness.
These descriptions identify mindfulness and meditation as related topics in the source material, but they do not establish that every meditation practice is mindfulness, that every mindfulness practice uses the same focus, or that a particular exercise will be part of psychotherapy.
What “Without Making Judgments” Means in This Definition
“Without making judgments” appears in the NCCIH definition of mindfulness. The source does not further define the phrase as a particular response to thoughts, emotions, sensations, or circumstances. It also does not state what a person should notice, how long they should practice, or what mindfulness should feel like.
For that reason, it is appropriate to keep the definition clear and limited: mindfulness can mean present-moment attention or awareness without making judgments. Questions about how that language is understood in a particular setting remain questions to ask directly.
Mindfulness in Therapy: What the Information Supports
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 lists mindfulness and relaxation techniques among elements that psychotherapy can include. Its examples include meditation and breathing exercises.
This supports a straightforward conclusion: mindfulness may be included among psychotherapy practices. It does not support a conclusion that mindfulness is included in every form of psychotherapy, in every individual therapy experience, or in every conversation about mental health.
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. That general information does not identify what a specific therapist will use or recommend.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Are Not Established as the Same Thing
NIMH lists mindfulness and relaxation techniques together as possible elements of psychotherapy. It gives meditation and breathing exercises as examples. The available information does not state that mindfulness and relaxation are the same practice, that mindfulness must be relaxing, or that relaxation is the purpose of mindfulness.
If someone is interested in mindfulness and relaxation, a useful question may be: “How are these terms being used in this setting?” The available sources do not provide a single answer that applies to every psychotherapy experience.
Research Boundaries Matter
NCCIH discusses research on meditation and mindfulness across several topics. It also notes that research has examined many different types of meditation and mindfulness practices and that results can be difficult to analyze. Some research has been preliminary or not scientifically rigorous.
NCCIH further states that few studies have examined meditation and mindfulness practices for potentially harmful effects, so definite statements about safety are not possible from the available evidence. General education about mindfulness should not be treated as a prediction about benefits, risks, fit, or outcomes for one person.
Questions for Reflection Before a Conversation
The following questions are for reflection and discussion. They are not a self-assessment, a treatment plan, or a way to decide whether mindfulness is right for you.
| Question for reflection | Question to bring forward |
|---|---|
| What interests me about present-moment awareness? | What does mindfulness mean in this therapy setting? |
| What questions do I have about “without making judgments”? | How is that phrase understood here? |
| Am I looking for information about mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, or relaxation techniques? | Which of these, if any, may be included in psychotherapy? |
| What would I want clarified before discussing mindfulness further? | What questions can I ask about the approach being discussed? |
| What practical access questions do I have? | What services and access options are listed by the practice? |
Individual Therapy and Questions About Mindfulness
NIMH lists mindfulness and relaxation techniques as possible elements of psychotherapy. Individual therapy is among the services listed by Rooted Integrative Therapy. The available practice facts do not state that mindfulness is part of every individual therapy service offered by the practice.
A person considering individual therapy may have questions about whether mindfulness is discussed, how meditation or breathing exercises are described, or whether relaxation techniques are part of the approach. Those are questions rather than details established by the available practice information.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy Access
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan is identified by the practice as its therapist. The practice lists in-person access near Orem and Provo and virtual therapy across Utah.
For a general inquiry, Rooted Integrative Therapy provides a contact page. The available practice facts do not specify what will be covered in a consultation or which therapy elements may be included for a particular person.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- When you use the term “mindfulness,” what do you mean?
- Is mindfulness one possible element of the psychotherapy you provide?
- How do you describe meditation, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques?
- What questions can I ask about the approach being discussed?
- What individual therapy access options are listed by the practice?
FAQs
What is mindfulness?
NCCIH describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments.
Can mindfulness be included in psychotherapy?
Yes. NIMH lists mindfulness among elements that psychotherapy can include, along with relaxation techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises.
Is mindfulness the same as meditation?
The available NCCIH information states that some forms of meditation include mindfulness. It does not state that the terms have the same meaning in every context.
Is mindfulness the same as relaxation?
The available NIMH information lists mindfulness and relaxation techniques as possible psychotherapy elements. It does not establish that they are the same.
Do these sources show whether mindfulness will fit me?
No. The available source notes do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
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 want to make a general inquiry with Rooted Integrative Therapy, visit the contact page. You may ask about individual therapy, the practice’s listed access options, or how the term mindfulness is used.
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.