Integrating Mindfulness: A qualitative study with therapists practicing mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness-based practices from eastern traditions are increasingly being utilized by western mental health providers. In some cases, these practices are taught directly to clients. In other instances, therapists engage in the practices, which may or may not influence their work as clinicians. Often therapists both teach clients the practice and have personal practices as well. The following is a qualitative study exploring the influence of mindfulness practices on therapists and their therapeutic relationships and work. Seven participants who are long-term mindfulness practitioners and who are also psychotherapists were interviewed. The results illuminate a wide range of effects of therapist mindfulness practice on dynamics within the psychotherapy relationship, from the therapist’s perspective. The findings also raise a number of emerging topics of interest resulting from the integration of mindfulness into western therapy traditions. The study adds an important perspective to the growing literature on mindfulness interventions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Montana

Year

2012

Author dc:creator

• Gill, Meghan T

• mindfulness
• qualitative

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/583

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.umt.edu:etd-1602