Yes. Mind-and-body practices in therapy can include mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises. The National Institute of Mental Health describes these as elements psychotherapy can include. They are not established as part of every therapy approach, service, or appointment.
Quick Overview: Therapy can include mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, and other relaxation techniques. Mindfulness involves present-moment attention without judgment, and meditation includes practices focused on mind-and-body integration. Whether these practices are part of a particular therapy experience is a question to ask the therapist or practice directly.
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, refers to a variety of treatments that aim to help people identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on their training, the condition being addressed, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
What “Mind-and-Body” Means in This Context
The phrase mind-and-body can have broad meanings. In this article, it refers to meditation and mindfulness as described by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, along with mindfulness and relaxation techniques described by the National Institute of Mental Health as possible elements of psychotherapy.
Meditation refers to a variety of practices focused on mind-and-body integration. Some meditation practices involve focusing attention on a sensation, such as breathing, a sound, a visual image, or a repeated word or phrase. Mindfulness is a form of present-moment attention or awareness without making judgments.
These definitions describe the terms; they do not determine what a particular therapist will use or whether a practice will fit a particular person.
Mindfulness in therapy
The National Institute of Mental Health includes mindfulness among techniques that psychotherapy can apply. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without judgment.
A therapist may use the word mindfulness in a specific way based on their approach and training. If mindfulness comes up, it may be useful to ask what the term means in that setting and how it relates to the therapy approach being discussed.
Meditation and therapy
Meditation is another practice named in discussions of mind-and-body integration and psychotherapy. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that meditation practices vary. Some focus attention on breathing, sounds, images, or a repeated word or phrase; mindfulness is included among forms of meditation.
Meditation is not automatically part of therapy because it is discussed in mental-health education. A direct question can clarify the scope of a particular approach: “When you mention meditation, what do you mean in your work?”
Relaxation techniques in therapy
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include relaxation techniques and names meditation and breathing exercises as examples. This establishes that these techniques can be part of psychotherapy generally. It does not establish the content of any particular appointment or service.
If breathing exercises or relaxation techniques are mentioned, questions can help clarify what is being considered and how it relates to the therapy approach.
What Can Differ Across Therapy Approaches
Psychotherapy includes many types of treatment. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, therapies are often variations of established approaches, and therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. The approach used depends on training and experience, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
Because approaches vary, mind-and-body practices in therapy may be discussed differently from one setting to another. The available information does not establish that mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises will be included by every therapist or within every service.
A preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment may proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. The National Institute of Mental Health identifies questions about a therapist’s approach, rationale, evidence base, goals of therapy, time frame, and progress assessment as possible topics for discussion.
Reflection Questions for Considering the Topic
These questions are for reflection, not a test or a list of steps someone must follow.
| Reflection question | What it may help clarify |
|---|---|
| What do I mean when I use words such as mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation? | The language I want explained clearly |
| What would I want to know about a therapist’s approach? | Questions about how treatment may proceed |
| Am I looking for information about breathing exercises, meditation, or mindfulness? | The specific topic I want to discuss |
| What goals would I want to understand before considering an approach? | Whether the stated goals are clear to me |
| What questions do I have about how progress would be assessed? | How progress may be discussed in therapy |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- When you refer to mind-and-body practices in therapy, what does that mean in your approach?
- Do mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, or relaxation techniques come up in the service I am asking about?
- What is the rationale for the approach you use?
- What are the goals of therapy?
- How would progress be assessed?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
The Connect page invites general inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form. It does not establish which approaches, practices, or techniques are included in a particular service. Questions about mindfulness in therapy, meditation and therapy, or relaxation techniques in therapy can be directed to the practice before assuming that a specific service includes them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can therapy include mindfulness practices?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health says psychotherapy can include mindfulness techniques. Whether mindfulness is part of a particular therapy experience depends on the approach being used and the discussion with the therapist.
Is meditation the same as mindfulness?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes meditation as a variety of mind-and-body integration practices. It describes mindfulness as present-moment attention or awareness without judgment. Mindfulness is included among forms of meditation, but the terms may be used differently in different settings.
Can breathing exercises be part of therapy?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health names breathing exercises as an example of relaxation techniques that psychotherapy can include. The source does not establish that breathing exercises are part of every therapy approach.
Do mind-and-body practices have the same effects for everyone?
The available sources do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that research on meditation and mindfulness has involved different practices and can be difficult to analyze.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- nccih.nih.gov: Meditation And Mindfulness Effectiveness And Safety
A Grounded Next Step
If you are considering therapy and want to understand whether mind-and-body practices may be relevant, an inquiry can be a place to ask about the approach, its rationale, therapy goals, and how progress may be assessed.
To contact Rooted Integrative Therapy or request an appointment, visit the Connect 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.