Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
For years there has been a competitive edge between mindfulness and psychotherapy. However, it has been my experience that a hybrid of the two is beneficial. Psychotherapy teaches us to build up our ego's, confidence, and sense of self, while mindfulness teaches us surrender and acceptance. At a glance, they could even be considered opposites. However, new research indicates the benefits of mystical states of being in terms of healing and recovery.
Discuss: Thoughts and opinions on traditional psychoanalysis and mindfulness meditation.
"The ego must first be formed before it can be dismantled." -Mark Epstein, Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart
They are both beneficial together yes:)
in my experience with both traditional psychotherapy and mindfullness practices, they are not in contradiction with each other. my best therapy experience combines both in the form of ACT. what is great about incorporating mindfullness into any regular therapy practice is that often a lot of strong emotions come up during therapy. learning mindfulness techniques first gave me the coping skills and tools to handle those emotions and conflicting thoughts when i wasn't in the doctor's office, you know? before i learned some of these practices, i'd be a mess between sessions, struggling with old and new emotions. but once i learned them, i was able to step off the battlefield in between sessions and during sessions exam the battle from a logical and rational viewpoint. integration of mindfullness practices really has helped my experience of therapy over all. unfortunately i moved and still need to find a new therapist to continue guiding my work through the trauma i've experienced.
@falconer42
What beautiful feedback, thank you! I would love a therapist who is geared toward mindfulness. I was referring to the Freudian term "psychoanalysis". This demonstrates a little more extremism on the therapeutic end. I like to say he was half right, lol. Best wishes on your journey! ♡
@blitheSun94 ah, freudian analysis. i tried that too, but struggled with the underlying misogyny. but freud was "half right" about many things. i prefer the direction jung took it, from a philosophical and spiritual approach. but what has worked best for me from a theraputical approach has been those line of therapy that stems from the cognitive-behavioral school: CBT, ACT, all those other alphabet soup types. ACT incorporates mindfulness practices into traditional CBT approaches. it's worth seeking out an ACT therapist. at least, it's been working for me.
@falconer42
I will definitely do some research once I regain my footing.