Mindfulness Based Therapy

Mindfulness is not new. It is a part of what makes us human, i.e., the capacity to be fully conscious and aware. Mindfulness is an elusive, yet central, aspect of the 2,500-year-old tradition of Buddhist psychology. Kabat-Zinn (2003), defines mindfulness as a process of ‘paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non- judgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment’. Others define mindfulness as a multi-component construct; including observing, describing, accepting whatever one is experiencing without judgment and acting with awareness (Baer, Smith & Allen, 2004)

Where did it all come from?

Mindfulness, as used in ancient texts, is an English translation of the Pali word, sati, which connotes awareness, attention, and remembering. It has its roots in Buddhism has given rise to an extraordinarily complex body of eastern body of teachings as it has diversified over 2500 years.

Current Status of Mindfulness: Progess to a Therapeutic Technique

Mindfulness, from a therapeutic, secular perspective is a conscious awareness of our present moment with a specific attention and attitude stance. In psychotherapy literature, mindfulness has been referred to as both specific treatment method (set of techniques) and a psychological process (Hayes & Wilson, 2003). Mindfulness based interventions involves intentionally bringing one’s attention to the internal and external experiences occurring in the present moment, and is often taught through a variety of cognitive, behavioral, emotional, interpersonal, experiential and meditation practices . Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), uses therapeutic approaches grounded in mindfulness, to promote the practice as an important part of good physical and mental health.

Research Evidence on Application of Mindfulness Based Therapies for Psychological Issues and Treating Disorders.

In the last 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in clinical interventions that use meditation skills, especially in the forms of mindfulness based clinical interventions (MBIs). This number has certainly significantly increased today. The Oxford Centre of mindfulness offers in-depth data on scientific effectiveness and efficacy of MBIs in a range of clinical and nonclinical conditions.

Mindfulness Based Intervention Available at CMBS, Udaipur.

We at CMBS are trained & certified at core types of MBIs.

• Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): MBSR can often help people address stress, chronic pain related medical conditions, hypertension, cancer, fibromyalgia, endocrinal issues, stress, burnout , anxiety, depression, and other chronic issues.
• Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT): MBCT often forms part of the approach to treatment of recurrent depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating and food issues, bipolar, panic attacks, attention deficit hyperactivity, infertility, childbirth, parenting and posttraumatic stress, among others.
• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT): DBT is a weekly two-hour group skills-training program that was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder. This program has subsequently been used for numerous other conditions, including emotional disorders. DBT today is used primarily in the treatment of suicidal ideation, impulsivity, emotional unstability, self-harm, substance dependence, eating and food issues, depression, and PTSD.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): ACT uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies to develop committed behavior change by increasing psychological flexibility. ACT is an approach often used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, substance dependence, chronic pain, psychosis, and cancer.
• Emotion-Focused Mindfulness Therapy (EFMT): It is a new psychological approach to addressing internal conflicts like harsh self-criticism and unfinished business with people who have hurt us.

Our Clinical Research and publications on MBIs:

We are currently involved in the following researches :

1. Effectiveness of modified mindfulness based cognitive therapy in distressed couples with infertility, undergoing intra-uterine insemination. (CTRI/2015/07/005973 )
2. Psychiatric morbidity, perceived distress, coping and need for psychological intervention, in couples with infertility, undergoing assisted reproductive treatments -A Clinic Based study. (CTRI/2016/02/006649).
3. Effectiveness of Mindfulness based intervention in caregivers of children and adolescents with Autism : A Systematic Review (Reg in Prospero with study ID : CRD42018107782).

Past Publications:

1. Patel, A., Dinesh, N., Sharma, P. S. V. N., Kumar, P., &Binu, V. S. (2018). Outcomes of structured psychotherapy for emotional adjustment in a childless couple diagnosed with recurrent pregnancy loss: A unique investigation. Journal of human reproductive sciences, 11(2), 202-207
2. Patel, A., Sharma, P. S. V. N., & Kumar, P. (2020). Application of mindfulness-based psychological interventions in infertility. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences, 13(1),
3. Neda Haseeb Khan, Mohammad Ghazi Shahnawaz, Ansha Patel, Poonam  Kashyap & Chandra Bhushan Singh (2023): Resilience among involuntarily childless  couples and individuals undergoing infertility treatment: a systematic review, Human  Fertility, doi :10.1080/14647273.2023.2219400.
4. Patel, A., Sharma, P. S. V. N., Kumar, P. (2018). Role of Mental Health Practitioner in Infertility Clinics: A Review on past, present and future. Journal of human reproductive sciences. 11(3): 219–228.