Mindfulness (the ability to notice, tolerate and move through any and all thoughts and feelings) is at the foundation of all Light On Anxiety CBT-based treatments and services. Mindfulness enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and related conditions entails learning to observe, accept and tolerate anxiety vs. fighting to not have or run from anxiety.
Mindfulness training plays a key role in CBT for anxiety and related conditions. This aspect of therapy focuses on a nonjudgmental approach to thoughts and feelings; they are not “good” or “bad,” they just are. The goal is to acknowledge their presence and to let them continue to ebb and flow naturally without getting stuck on them. Mindfulness asks you to stay in the present moment to better access your full range of experience without trying to react to or change it. This practice can help tremendously in decreasing the experience of suffering that can be associated with untreated anxiety.
With mindfulness, you are open to seeing what thoughts and feelings show up, and then you won’t be as surprised or shocked when unwanted or strange thoughts appear. If you do not judge your thoughts and feelings as “good” or “bad” then you do not extract meaning from them, helping to break that chain between uncomfortable thoughts and feelings and anxiety.
Working your mindfulness muscle can be challenging. Like any skill, mindfulness meditation requires commitment and practice. You are not turning off your thoughts; you are tuned into and aware of your thinking. Your only job is to notice your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and the world around you. Notice when and where your mind wanders. This is sup- posed to happen. Then gently bring your awareness back to something you can feel or see right now.
For the next 30 seconds, challenge yourself to close your eyes and be curious about what thoughts come. See if you can welcome them and say “hi,” label them as just a thought, not good or bad, and say “goodbye” as the next thought comes
to your mind.
Mindfulness for Anxiety Reduction
Dr. Debra Kissen, CEO of Light On Anxiety, offers Anxiety Depression Association of America (ADAA) site visitors tips on how to inject mindful moments into d…
Mindfulness Based CBT to Move Past Intrusive Thought OCD
Recorded May 20, 2021ADAA Webinar Featuring Debra Kissen, PhD, MHSA and Paul Greene, PhDIntrusive thoughts can create intense anxiety and lead to rumination …
