Quick Overview: Yes. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy integrates mindfulness practices with aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy. This describes the approach in general terms. It does not identify which practices or CBT elements a particular therapist will use, determine whether the approach fits a particular person, or predict an individual outcome.
What Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Means
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as an approach that integrates mindfulness practices with aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy, often called CBT.
The word integrates is important to the available definition. The description is not that mindfulness practices and CBT are unrelated services. It identifies an approach that brings mindfulness practices together with aspects of CBT.
The source does not specify every mindfulness practice or every CBT element that may be included in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. It also does not state that every therapist using the term will describe or use the approach in the same way.
For that reason, this article uses the term as the source defines it: an integration of mindfulness practices and aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy. It does not use the definition to make claims about personal fit, treatment results, or what any particular therapy experience will involve.
What mindfulness means in the available source
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. The organization includes mindfulness among forms of meditation.
The same source explains that meditation refers to a variety of practices focused on mind-and-body integration. Some meditation practices involve maintaining mental focus on a sensation, such as breathing, a sound, a visual image, or a repeated word or phrase.
These descriptions provide context for the phrase mindfulness practices in therapy. They do not establish that a particular practice will be used in a particular service. They also do not establish what someone should practice outside of therapy.
What Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Refers To
The National Institute of Mental Health describes cognitive behavioral therapy as an approach that can help a person become aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful, question those thoughts, understand how thoughts affect emotions and behavior, and change self-defeating behavior patterns.
This is a general description of CBT. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy integrates aspects of CBT. The available source material does not identify which CBT aspects are included in every use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
What the sources do and do not establish
The sources establish a general definition of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and a general description of CBT. They also establish that mindfulness is attention or awareness of the present moment without judgments.
The sources do not determine whether mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is suitable for a particular person. They do not identify an individual’s needs, specify a personal course of care, or establish an outcome for an individual reader.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that few studies have examined meditation and mindfulness practices for potentially harmful effects, so definite statements about safety are not possible. That limitation applies to broad statements about safety; it does not provide an individual assessment.
How Psychotherapy Approaches May Be Discussed
The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, as a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
The organization also explains that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches in psychotherapy. The approach a therapist uses depends on training and experience and the condition being treated, according to the same source.
This information gives context for discussions of individual therapy approaches. A named approach may be part of a broader conversation about how a therapist works. The available information does not state which approach or combination of approaches will be used by a specific therapist.
Questions that remain personal
A general article cannot answer questions about personal fit or expected results. Those questions are not answered by the definitions of mindfulness, CBT, or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Questions such as these remain open: What does a therapist mean when they use the term mindfulness-based cognitive therapy? Which elements do they discuss? How do they describe their overall approach? What questions would you like answered about the services they offer?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Rooted Integrative Therapy offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
Reflection Questions Before You Reach Out
| Question to consider | Question to bring forward |
|---|---|
| What would I like to understand about mindfulness-based cognitive therapy? | How do you define mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in your work? |
| What do I want to know about mindfulness practices? | Which mindfulness practices do you discuss, if any? |
| What do I want to know about CBT? | Which aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy do you discuss, if any? |
| Am I asking about one named approach or more than one approach? | Do you use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches? |
| Which Rooted Integrative Therapy service would I like to ask about? | May I ask about individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, or therapy intensives? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- How do you describe mindfulness-based cognitive therapy?
- How do you discuss mindfulness practices and cognitive behavioral therapy?
- Do you use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches?
- What information can I ask about during a consultation call?
- Which Rooted Integrative Therapy services can I ask about?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combine mindfulness and CBT?
Yes. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy integrates mindfulness practices with aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Does mindfulness mean staying aware of the present moment?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments.
Does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy include every part of CBT?
The available definition says that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy integrates aspects of CBT. It does not identify which aspects are included in every use of the approach.
Can psychotherapy include elements from multiple approaches?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches in psychotherapy.
What services does Rooted Integrative Therapy list?
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- nccih.nih.gov: Meditation And Mindfulness Effectiveness And Safety
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form. Its FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. To contact Rooted Integrative Therapy, 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.