Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can apply mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises. Yes, some forms of meditation maintain mental focus on a particular sensation, including breathing, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. These general descriptions do not determine what a particular therapy approach includes or what fits a particular person.
Psychotherapy and Meditation Can Overlap
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, refers to a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The same organization explains that elements of psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises.
That description establishes that meditation and breathing exercises can be elements of psychotherapy. It does not establish that meditation is included in every psychotherapy approach, every appointment, or every setting. 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.
Meditation is also a broad term. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes meditation as a variety of practices focused on mind and body integration that are used to calm the mind and enhance overall well-being. Meditation practices can differ in where attention is directed.
Mindfulness Has a Specific Meaning in This Context
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. Some programs combine meditation or mindfulness with other activities. For example, mindfulness-based stress reduction teaches mindful meditation and also includes discussion sessions and other strategies for applying what participants have learned to stressful experiences.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy integrates mindfulness practices with aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy. These examples show that a term such as “mindfulness” may refer to different practices or programs. General information about these terms does not identify what a particular therapist uses.
Meditation Is One Possible Psychotherapy Element
The National Institute of Mental Health lists meditation and breathing exercises among mindfulness and relaxation techniques that psychotherapy can apply. It also lists other possible elements, including identifying ways to cope with stress, developing problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, and supportive counseling.
This range matters because psychotherapy can include multiple elements. A general description of psychotherapy and meditation cannot establish the content, sequence, or purpose of a particular therapy appointment. A preliminary conversation with a prospective therapist can help someone understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Can Meditation Focus on a Body Sensation?
Some forms of meditation maintain mental focus on a particular sensation, including breathing, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Breathing is therefore one documented example of a meditation focus connected with physical sensation.
The same source identifies other possible meditation focuses: a sound, a visual image, or a mantra, which is a repeated word or phrase. Meditation can also take the form of mindfulness, with attention or awareness maintained on the present moment without making judgments.
Breathing Is an Example of a Sensation Focus
Breathing meditation is supported by the source description because it names breathing as a particular sensation that can hold mental focus. This does not mean that every meditation practice focuses on breathing. It also does not establish that attention to breathing will have the same experience or effect for every person.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that studies of meditation and mindfulness have examined many different practices. It states that results can be difficult to analyze because the practices differ and their effects are hard to measure. General descriptions of breathing meditation should not be treated as a prediction of a personal outcome.
Questions Can Clarify the Meaning of a Practice
When meditation, mindfulness, or breathing exercises are mentioned in psychotherapy, questions can clarify what those words mean in that setting. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking a prospective therapist what approach they will use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and what the rationale and evidence base are for that approach.
A question may also identify whether the discussion concerns meditation, a breathing exercise, mindfulness, or another psychotherapy element. The available sources support asking about an approach; they do not establish what a particular provider will include.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is listed by the practice as its therapist.
Reflection Questions About Psychotherapy and Meditation
These questions are for general reflection. They do not determine whether meditation or any psychotherapy approach fits a particular person.
| Reflection question | Source-bounded context |
|---|---|
| When I say “meditation,” am I referring to breathing, a sound, an image, a mantra, or mindfulness? | NCCIH describes these as different possible meditation focuses or practices. |
| Am I asking about meditation within psychotherapy or about meditation more generally? | NIMH states that psychotherapy can apply meditation and breathing exercises as mindfulness and relaxation techniques. |
| What approach would a prospective therapist use? | NIMH identifies this as a question to ask a prospective therapist. |
| Does the therapist practice a particular type of therapy? | NIMH identifies this as a question for a preliminary conversation. |
| What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach? | NIMH identifies this as a question to ask when considering a therapist. |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- What approach do you use in individual therapy?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What do you mean by meditation, mindfulness, or breathing exercises in your work?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you use?
- How will treatment proceed?
- How can I ask questions and consider fit?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can psychotherapy include meditation?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that psychotherapy can apply mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises. This does not establish what a particular therapist includes.
Can meditation focus on breathing?
Yes. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that some forms of meditation maintain mental focus on a particular sensation, including breathing.
Is breathing the only possible meditation focus?
No. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also lists sound, a visual image, and a mantra as possible focuses for some meditation practices.
Is mindfulness the same as meditation?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. It also describes mindfulness as one form of meditation practice.
How can I learn what a therapist’s approach includes?
The National Institute of Mental Health states that a preliminary conversation can help someone understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. Questions may include the therapist’s approach, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for that approach.
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
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.
Rooted Integrative Therapy offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. To make an inquiry or request an appointment, visit the Connect page.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.