Mindfulness-based therapy is a holistic healing practice that helps patients achieve optimal health by focusing on improving their internal state, such as feelings, thoughts, and habits, as well as how they interact with others. It integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, and other modalities to help individuals achieve mind/body alignment and experience improvements in their lives. For those interested in exploring Mindfulness-based therapy, Kathy Murray, LCSW, offers online-only virtual appointments to the residents of North Carolina, where she serves the community out of Chapel Hill.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the transformative practice of living fully in the present moment, directing one’s attention to what one is doing without obsessively thinking about the past or worrying about the future. All human beings have the ability to live mindfully with practice, and mindful existence allows us to achieve a higher state of consciousness and awareness. Mindfulness is evidence-based and can positively affect our relationships, happiness, physical and mental health, and work.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also known as CBT, is a form of psychological skills training that teaches healthy ways of thinking, coping, and improving learned patterns of behavior. CBT encourages individuals to evolve their thinking patterns through positive strategies such as recognizing and reevaluating distorted modes of thinking, learning effective problem-solving skills, cultivating confidence in one’s capabilities, facing one’s personal experiences and fears, and understanding the motivations of others. CBT teaches individuals how to calm the mind and body and focus on the present moment rather than overthinking the past.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is the process of learning to embrace one's feelings and thoughts rather than avoiding them. ACT teaches radical commitment to the practice of self-acceptance and life-affirming behaviors so one can create a meaningful and rich existence. ACT maintains six core processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion (the ability to positively alter how one reacts to feelings and thoughts), presence, self as context, values, and commitment to action. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is frequently paired with mindfulness-based therapy and has been shown to be a clinically effective mode of psychological treatment for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, OCD, and addiction.
Mindfulness-based therapy helps individuals develop psychological resilience and flexibility and is a key element of Kathy Murray’s online holistic therapy practice. For individuals located in North Carolina, contact Kathy Murray at (919) 423-6776 to schedule online video counseling today.