What is a mindful psychotherapist?

Some say it’s Ram Dass healing with the palm of his hand placed on the client’s chest.

Some say it’s a psychotherapist teaching the client to meditate.

Some say it’s simply a psychotherapist who her/him self is mindful.

My understanding is that:

A mindful psychotherapist uses elements of meditation when it is helpful in the therapy session.

A mindful psychotherapist understands that emotional pain is part of life, as much as joy and contentment.  In psychotherapy we reduce emotional pain as much as possible, that's a priority. Then, a goal becomes changing our relationship to the suffering that remains

.A mindful psychotherapist understands that peace lies just below the surface for many people, and meditation can help them get in touch with it.

A mindful psychotherapist understands that talk can sometimes be counterproductive, and knows when to introduce mindful pauses for the benefit of the client.

A mindful psychotherapist has her or his own meditation practice, and embodies it in the therapy session.

A mindful psychotherapist uses her or his own mindfulness to tune in to the whole experience of the client.

A mindful psychotherapist has a view on life that cultivates and values experience in the moment, as it occurs.

A mindful psychotherapist understands that the mindful approach is one of many, and will be better for some clients than for others. That is why it is helpful always to be flexible, always to put the needs of the client before the clinician’s orientation.

I would like to thank the members of the monthly Friday Morning NYC "Meditative Therapists" group for the thoughtful discussions we have had on this subject. They have been most helpful, and the above reflects many of their ideas.

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