While often associated with meditation, Mindfulness in a therapeutic context is a secular, evidence-based mental training. It is defined as "paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally."
In therapy, mindfulness isn't about "clearing the mind" or reaching a state of eternal calm. Instead, it is about developing a different relationship with your thoughts and feelings—observing them as they are, rather than being swept away by them.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness therapy helps you move from "Doing Mode" (constant planning, judging, and reacting) to "Being Mode."
Non-Judgment: Noticing a thought or feeling and labeling it without calling it "good" or "bad." You might say, "I am having the thought that I am a failure," rather than "I am a failure."
Present Moment Awareness: Training the brain to return to the "here and now" whenever it wanders into the past (rumination) or the future (anxiety).
Beginner’s Mind: Approaching experiences with curiosity as if seeing them for the first time, which helps break old, automatic habits.
The Three Core Perspectives of Mindfulness
How Mindfulness is Used in Sessions
Mindfulness-based therapy (like MBSR or MBCT) is less about "fixing" a problem and more about "holding" it differently.
Experiential Practice: A portion of the session is usually dedicated to a guided practice led by the therapist. This builds the "muscle" of attention.
Inquiry: After a practice, the therapist will ask, "What did you notice?" This isn't about getting the "right" answer, but about becoming an expert on your own internal landscape.
Breaking the Automatic Pilot: You and your therapist identify the moments in your week where you "check out" or react impulsively. You then create "mindfulness cues" (like taking a breath every time your phone rings) to bring you back to awareness.
Integration: Mindfulness is often woven into other modalities. For example, using mindfulness to notice the physical urge to shout (from DBT) or to catch a cognitive distortion as it happens (from CBT).
The Body Scan:
This is often the entry point for mindfulness therapy. You mentally "scan" your body from toe to head, noticing sensations like tension, warmth, or tingling without trying to change them.
How it’s used: It helps you reconnect with physical signals of stress before they turn into full-blown emotional meltdowns.
Leaves on a Stream:
This visualization tool helps you "unstick" yourself from intrusive thoughts.
How it’s used: You imagine sitting by a slow-moving stream with leaves floating by. Each time a thought arises—no matter how painful—you place it on a leaf and watch it float away.
The Goal: To realize that you are the observer of your thoughts, not the thoughts themselves.
3-Minute Breathing:
This is a "mini-meditation" designed to be used in the middle of a busy day.
Step 1: Observe (What is my experience right now?)
Step 2: Gather (Focus entirely on the breath.)
Step 3: Expand (Expand awareness to the whole body and the room.)
Some Mindfulness tools used in our sessions
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We also accept self-pay clients. See our individual rates above.
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WE accept the following insurances:
Anthem
BlueCross and BlueShield
Health First Colorado
Medicaid
Rocky Mountain Health Plans
United Medical Resources (UMR)
UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH
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We also accept self-pay clients. See our rates above.