Depression and Mindful Therapy
We are specialists in treating depression with mindfulness and psychotherapy.
Mindfulness combined with Cognitive Therapy is a powerful combination for those with sadness or Depression.
Donald is certified by both North American institutes for Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy.
Understanding Our Approach to Depression
Depression can vary in severity, from a debilitating inability to start the day to a moderate or mild, persistent ache and desire for change. It's normal to want to escape sad or depressing thoughts and emotions, which may stem from illness, relationship issues, or feelings of inadequacy.
Seeking relief is natural, whether through conversations with friends, religious leaders, or mental health counselors. Mindful therapy, combining mindfulness and cognitive behavioral science, offers an effective approach. It can be integrated into a psychotherapy program or taught by a mindfulness teacher alongside your existing therapist.
Mindful Therapy - How it works
In Donald’s book he describes 4 phases of Mindful Therapy.
Aware, we learn to work in the present. We learn to jump out of automatic pilot (just noticing thoughts about things, rather than directly experiencing them).
Allowing, a helpful way to experience emotional pain. We learn that trying to block the pain is like trying to dam a river. The water just buids up until it explodes over the dam. Instead we learn to allow the pain to flow like a river, so it doesn’t build up and we don’t become overwhelmed.
Accepting, a sense that we can live with whatever symptoms that are left over after some time with allowing.
Acting: after we have gained, perspective we can choose helpful actions, wisely.
Donald Fleck developed a special kind of Mindful Therapy.
You can learn about Donald’s journey through mindfulness, and the journeys of others, in these videos.
Working the Present Mindfully-Based, Bringing Mindfulness-Based Group Work into Individual Therapy
Donald’s book on MBCT comes out of Donald’s experience leading many MBCT groups, with 350 grads, and from his teaching the method to about 300 therapists.
It has been endorsed by Zindel V. Segal, Ph.D., creator of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy.
Learn more about our 8-Week mindfulness workshop.
Individual Mindfulness
Learning one-to-one
Other Resources
Mindfulness and Depression Relapse
Mindfulness to Prevent Depression Relapse has been carefully researched. This is one of many articles investigating MBCT.
Can Ego be changed?
Mindfulness can take what was considered fixed (Ego, for example) and find that it really is flexible.
Non-Judgmental Awareness for Depression
This post in developing non-judgmental awareness for depression and anxiety can offer some depth on what to expect with Mindful Therapy.
We welcome your questions and we want to get to know you and your needs.
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