This article is part 2 in a series of articles on mindfulness in counseling and psychotherapy. The article discusses the way in which are ability to think can be both a gift and a problem. Meditation is offered as a tool which cultivates ones ability to see ones thoughts as objects or mental events. With this skill one can choose to distance themselves from thought objects  are deemed to be unhelpful. The result is a less cluttered mind. ( meditation, mindfulness, counseling service, pscyhotherapy service, anxiety therapy, depression therapy)

 Interesting thoughts by a gestal therapy student I hired to write an article on whether someone should consider psychotherapy or counseling. I think it contains some helpful pointers.

The article is a brief description of how anxiety can cue us to be cautious or create change and also the way anxiety can overwhelm us and lead to paralysis and dysfunction. Several strategies for managing anxiety and changing our relationship to it are discussed. Most importantly the article emphasizes the normality of some anxiety as part of the human experience. The philosophy underlying the treatment strategies comes from the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy model of psychotherapy.

This article is a brief introduction to the eastern practice and way of living called Mindfulness. Although Mindfulness is often equated to meditation, Mindfulness is the state of being which results from meditation practice. One need not meditate to become Mindful as there are many practices which cultivate this state of mind. In the last decade scientific studies some of which have been funded by the NIH have increasingly shown that Mindful practices can be helpful in treating anxiety, depression and other psychological disturbances. Various Mindfulness based forms of counseling or psychotherapy have now been developed. For example Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was developed by Zindel Segal in Toronto. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Hakomi therapy are other mindfulness based form of psychotherapy  / counseling.

In this topic you will find descriptions, research and other information that specifically relates o the different models of psychotherapy