Mindfulness-based Therapy

Mindfulness is often talked about as a way to practice being more present. This is one part of mindfulness practice, being aware about the moment you are in. It is also about acceptance and change, tapping into the senses to be more fully present in your life, and calming the nervous system so you reduce the negative impact of stress. Mindfulness-based therapy in our work together means breathing, feeling, noticing, saying aloud, and setting intentions.

Through my personal lifetime practice of mindfulness, I incorporate these principles in my work with the majority of clients. This includes compassion focused work, developing more presence, using breathwork (pranayama) and yoga therapy, and combining mindfulness to support psychedelic preparation and integration.

I have training as a meditation and mindfulness teacher. I have been a practicing Buddhist now for over 25 years. That said, I only incorporate evidence-based mindfulness approaches into my practice. And as a former executive (now business owner), I also coach clients who need help with professional skills such as time management, project management, and managing people.

Utilizing guided imagery, visualization, and relaxation techniques can assist in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies in order to help individuals better understand and manage their thoughts and emotions in order to achieve relief from feelings of distress.

Mindfulness practices are rooted in ancient contemplative traditions, particularly in Buddhism, but they have been adapted and integrated into various psychotherapeutic approaches in recent decades. Mindfulness techniques are often used to help individuals develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and coping skills. Mindfulness practices are also shown to reduce stress, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhance concentration, and improve sleep.

I am trained in the art of yoga and meditation, as well as, mindfulness-based therapy, which I have found to be effective for clients who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, as well as other mental health struggles.

Mindfulness is a core part of my treatment modality. I believe that awareness in the moment provides us the ability to be able to track our behaviors, and then from our behaviors we can explore and better understand why we take those actions. We can look at the mental narratives and core beliefs that lead to those actions, searching for ways to shift perspective and cognition to then create different actions and outcomes.

I participated in an 8 week course of Mindful Self-Compassion that was developed by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer.

Mindfulness therapy helps clients develop a deeper awareness of their thoughts, emotions, feelings, surroundings, and situations. Mindfulness-based therapies use meditation, relaxation, and awareness exercises to help focus on the present moment, aiming over time to experience everyday situations and stressors in nonjudgmental and non-reactionary ways.

Mindfulness-based therapy can be a highly effective form of treatment to increase your overall awareness of both the cognitive and physiological components of your body. Through various breathing and distressing exercises, the goal is to mitigate your overall anxiety and stress while increasing your overall awareness of your emotions and senses.

My favorite mindfulness-based therapy is Compassion Focused Therapy. I also integrate an approach called Mindful Self Compassion. In my experience, self compassion is an important driver of positive outcomes. It's an essential element of self satisfaction. When we lack self compassion, we tend to judge ourselves harshly and feel isolated, different, or inferior. Research shows that low self compassion is common across many diagnoses and issues.

I have been helping clients utilizing mind therapy dating back to my earliest days as a social work student. Mindfulness based therapy techniques not only bring the person to the present; the techniques stay with a person for life. I enjoy knowing I have equipped a person with skills they can use to pull them out of their head at the most critical times. Over the years I have taken courses to stay up to date with new developments and add to my personal and professional tool kit.

Mindfulness-based approaches to therapy lead with mindfulness, promoting the practice as an important part of good mental health. Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to the internal and external experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other training. Simply put, mindfulness encourages and teaches us to fully live in the present moment with with our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and problems.

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress.

Just paying attention is such a simple but powerful act. When we're able to be present and listen--I mean *really* listen--the world opens like a flower. And what about you? Yes, what if you were to direct that same attention to your own thoughts and feelings, your behaviors and relationships and decisions and everything else? Things start to become clearer, confusion slowly recedes, and suddenly you know who you are and what you want. But it does take practice!

Claudia identifies as a Buddhist and a Catholic and completed The New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care - Foundations Program, where she offered spiritual care and counsel for the sick, dying and their families. Her approach is spiritually Informed, Buddhist Informed and makes use of Mindfulness-Based practices.

The foundation of my practice is grounded in building insight and a sense of empowerment through self-awareness and mindfulness. Meditation and relaxation techniques are integrated into regular interventions. Identifying and exploring the individual's window of tolerance by staying present in the moment and oneself.