Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, or MBCT, is one of Arbor Wellness‘ psychotherapy options. But what is it, and how might it help a patient?
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a type of mental health treatment that combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness practices such as meditation, breathing exercises, and other similar psychological techniques. The primary goal of this therapy is for the patient to become acquainted with the modes of thinking that frequently characterize mood disorders while also learning to form new relationships with them. The combination of these two — CBT and mindfulness — results in an effective tool for treating depression and other mental health issues.
How does MBCT work?
- It can teach a person how to be “more present” and appreciate the simplest and smallest pleasures of daily life, connect with themselves, and cherish the feelings of being alive.
- Mindfulness helps people explore and comprehend their own thoughts and mood patterns.
- Mindfulness can educate people on how to break the natural connection between negative thoughts and low mood caused by traumatic memories, which can lead to a downward mood spiral.
- It provides another technique for dealing with challenging moods and emotions.
- Mindfulness enables the patient to “shift gears” from their current hypercritical frame of mind to one of greater awareness, balance, and lesser judgment.
While it was initially intended to treat depression and has been beneficial in the treatment of MDD or Major Depressive Disorder, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy has also demonstrated efficacy in treating other mental health disorders like:
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Stress
- Emotional distress and mood swings
- Overcoming addiction
In addition to treating mental health issues, MBCT is utilized to treat physical ailments such as:
- Chronic pain
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Vascular disorders, such as diabetes and hypertension
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
Here are some of the mindfulness practices and activities utilized in MBCT:
Body scan exercise: This entails lying down and focusing awareness and attention on various parts of the body. People normally start at their toes and work their way up the body until they reach the top of the head.
Meditation: The individual may engage in guided or self-directed meditation, which helps increase self-awareness of their thoughts, body, and respiration.
Yoga: Various yoga poses can aid with intentional stretching of the body, which is why MBCT promotes this approach.
Mindful stretching: This exercise involves stretching mindfully in order to increase awareness of both the body and the mind.
Daily mindfulness: The greatest method to incorporate simple mindfulness into your life is to practice it on a consistent basis. Such acts include mindfully brushing one’s teeth, mindful showering, mindful eating, and so on.
Daily mindfulness practice has several emotional, physical, and mental health advantages; it also improves relationships with others. The following are some of the benefits of practicing mindfulness every day:
- Examine difficult experiences from several angles and help build strength so that when something uncomfortable occurs in the future, dealing with it is much simpler.
- Take away the individual’s OCD rumination habit.
- Help focus on the present moment while avoiding distractions from other events or ideas.
- Teach people to pay complete attention to their surroundings.
- Improve emotional control.
Generally, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy is held during an eight-week group workshop run by a licensed mental health therapist.
In recent times, MBCT has gained massive acceptance since it has been proven to be an effective treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, and other psychological and physical conditions. Although it works, MBCT remains a relatively new approach in comparison to other available psychotherapy options.
If you are interested to know more about MBCT, Arbor Wellness in Las Vegas, Nevada offers this type of talk therapy and may serve as a valuable resource for enhancing your emotional and mental health, along with your overall well-being.
“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” ― John Green
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness-based_cognitive_therapy
https://mindfulness.sph.brown.edu/faqs/what-mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/therapy-types/mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy
https://positivepsychology.com/mbct-mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy/
https://anxietycoach.mayoclinic.org/the-depression-spiral/
https://www.verywellmind.com/mindfulness-based-cognitive-therapy-1067396
