Mindfulness Therapy in San Francisco
What is Mindfulness?
Simply defined, mindfulness is nonjudgmental open present moment awareness. Over the past several decades, research has increasingly shown mindfulness based therapy strategies as powerful tools to combat stress, anxiety, and burnout. Studies that look at the controlled use of mindfulness in programs such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction have shown promising findings in the treatment of more serious conditions that include depression, PTSD, chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, addiction, cancer, and diabetes.
Neuroscience has shown physical brain changes to occur in mindfulness practitioners. In a 2015 study, researchers Sara Lazar, Britta Holzel, and Christina Congleton compiled over 20 studies that showed the impact on the brain from meditation. They identified at least 8 different regions that were impacted, including increased activity in brain areas associated with self-regulation (e.g., resisting distraction), learning from past experiences to support optimal decision making, memory, and emotion (Lazar et. al, 2015).
Mindfulness based therapy can be used as a coping skill
With the right training, it can also become a way of living. Despite some popular beliefs, access to mindfulness does not require sitting alone quietly with your eyes closed and paying attention only to your breath (in fact paying attention to only your breath is not actually the point of mindfulness, nor is it possible on an ongoing basis). Although some people do find breath awareness to be a supportive practice, there are many other ways to practice mindfulness therapy. At mindfulSF, we tailor our mindfulness therapy to support individual interests. We’re interested in sharing mindfulness based therapy skills that are easy to access and that can be used in real time life situations.
“Mindfulness is the ability to know what’s happening in your head without getting carried away by it.”
Research shows that people who are more present in their daily lives experience greater ease and satisfaction than those who spend most of their time thinking about the past or the future. Mindfulness therapy can support you with having more choice with how you respond to whatever life throws at you. Mindfulness based therapy is a great way to improve your everyday life.
Our Mindfulness Therapy in the Bay Area
When developing a mindfulness practice, it can be supportive to have a guide who also has their own mindfulness practice. At mindfulSF, we are dedicated to practicing what we preach. When we are teaching mindfulness to clients, we are informed by our own training and personal practices. Learn more about our qualifications for teaching mindfulness here.
Click below to access our free guided Mindfulness and Self-Compassion practices.
Other mobile applications we like:
10% Happier
Insight Timer
Headspace
Calm
Compassion Focused Therapy in San Francisco
We often notice that people who struggle with stress or mental health issues also experience high levels of self-criticism and shame. Self-criticism and shame can add additional layers on top of already difficult situations. Have you ever experienced a stressful situation that was already painful and then blamed yourself for it? Did it help? Self Compassion therapy assists us with tapping into the innate human capacity for kindness towards ourselves and others. What if rather than blaming ourselves in the face of suffering, we could learn ways to be our own greatest supporters?
Research has shown that Mindful Self-Compassion therapy can assist with decreasing rumination and self-criticism, which are predictors of anxiety and depression (Neff 2003a; Raes 2010). Check out the Center for Mindful Self Compassion for more information.
Compassion Focused Therapy can help you:
Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism.
Understand yourself more fully.
Listen to and act on your own needs.
Cultivate qualities of patience and understanding.
Show up more thoughtfully in interactions with others.
Effectively navigate difficult situations where you may be lacking control.
Handle difficult emotions including anxiety, depression, anger, and shame with more ease.
Self-compassion is a compliment to other therapeutic modalities such as CBT and ACT. It can be a great motivator and support for those who are engaged in exposure-based therapy.
More information about the courses we offer in mindfulness and self-compassion can be found on our wellness classes page.
Looking for Mindfulness or Self-Compassion in the Bay Area?
mindfulSF offers mindful self compassion therapy and mindfulness based therapy in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area. Online services also offered across California.