Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy modified to include practices to break negative thinking patterns. It incorporates meditation techniques and breathing exercises to promote awareness of the present moment. According to the American Psychological Association, mindfulness exercises help people observe how they feel about their thoughts and emotions without judging or reacting to them.
Being mindful is being aware of one’s internal thoughts and surroundings. MBCT combines aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy, used for depression, with mindfulness stress reduction techniques. Mindfulness therapy is a type of psychotherapy, which is a talk-based approach trained mental health professionals use. You can ask your therapist about trying MBCT or how it may help your mental health.
Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Therapy
- Reduce Feelings of Depression & Anxiety: Utilizing mindfulness-based techniques gives you the tools to stay grounded in the present. Instead of allowing yourself to focus on the past or what may happen in the future, you can center your thoughts and avoid harmful thinking.
- Promote Healthy Habits: Studies have shown that mindfulness can help people choose healthier habits. Part of being mindful is being aware of your body and its signals. Incorporating mindfulness into your eating or exercise routine can help you understand how each affects your body in both positive and negative ways.
- Stress Reduction: Learning to control emotions through mindfulness meditation allows you to process them differently. When you are unconscious of your emotions, they can cause stress and overwhelm you. Taking a step back to process these emotions helps lower stress levels and encourages relaxation.
- Focus: Practicing mindfulness helps suppress distracting thoughts and information. This can lead to a better attention span and less interference from outside influences.
- Increased Cognitive Awareness: Mindfulness techniques can improve self-observation skills. Mindfulness therapy emphasizes awareness of thoughts and how to react to them. Training one’s brain to understand these emotions decreases reactivity to negative emotions and promotes more reflective thinking.
Mindfulness-based therapy is a great way to ground yourself and learn to understand your thoughts and emotions appropriately. This form of therapy is good for your mental health and can also help your physical health. Speaking with a therapist about the best treatment options for yourself and gaining more information on how mindfulness techniques will help you can benefit your journey.
If you want more information about mindfulness-based therapy, you might enjoy this article from our team.
If you are looking for a therapist in Alabama, we have locations throughout the state and are available online. Contact us at (256) 239-5662 or online.