Mindfulness therapy is an evidence-based practice used in many therapeutic approaches. While rooted in Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness therapy has also been adapted in clinical settings worldwide to help people struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and more.
If your teen is struggling with any of these issues, it will help if you know all about mindfulness therapy and the treatment approaches that include mindfulness therapy services. It may help your teen to learn what to expect from mindfulness therapy treatment—this may increase their treatment’s chances of success. Contact Destinations for Teens at 877.466.0620 to learn more about mindfulness therapy and how it can help teens struggling with addiction or other mental health issues. Your teen doesn’t need to struggle without support anymore.
What Is Mindfulness Therapy?
Mindfulness therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on being aware of the present moment without judging or reacting to it. It encourages clients to center their thoughts on their environment and experience without getting caught up in their emotions or preconceived notions about a situation. This mindful awareness helps people develop insight into their behavior and gain greater control over their thoughts and feelings. As a result, clients become better able to manage difficult emotions and make healthier decisions.
Which Treatment Approaches Include Mindfulness Therapy?
Mindfulness practices are incorporated into many different types of psychotherapies, such as
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
Mindfulness therapy services are also often combined with trauma-informed care. Mindfulness practices can help clients become more aware of their thought patterns and behaviors to identify triggers for unhealthy behaviors or negative emotions. By understanding these patterns, clients can learn how to regulate them better and respond more appropriately when faced with challenging situations.
What Can You Expect from Mindfulness Therapy Treatment?
When engaging with a professional therapist for mindfulness treatments, you can expect an individualized approach tailored specifically to your needs. During sessions, the therapist will guide you through various mindful awareness techniques—including the following:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Guided imagery
- Meditation
- Other relaxation activities
Other activities can include coloring, practicing yoga, and walking. These mindfulness practices can help you gain insight into your behavior and thought patterns and develop healthy coping skills to handle complicated feelings or situations.
These techniques help you become more aware of your thought processes and responses to make healthier decisions in response to challenging situations that may arise during recovery from substance use or other mental health conditions. Additionally, the therapist will provide support throughout the process while helping you set attainable goals for long-term success in recovery from addiction or any other mental health issues you may be dealing with at this time.
How Do Mindfulness Therapy Services Work in Addiction Treatment?
In addiction treatment programs, mindfulness therapies help individuals recover from substance use disorders (SUDs) by teaching them how to become mindful of their thoughts and emotions without judgment or reaction. Mindful awareness techniques—such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, and other relaxation techniques—help clients recognize relapse triggers. Once identified, relapse triggers serve as a warning. Teens struggling with addiction can take steps to prevent relapsing if they recognize their triggers early enough.
Additionally, mindfulness helps individuals gain greater insight into why they may be struggling with addiction so that they can begin actively working toward long-term recovery goals.
Find Mindfulness Therapy in Southern California at Destinations for Teens
The practice of mindfulness has been found effective for many forms of mental health treatment, including those designed for teens recovering from SUDs or addictive behaviors like gambling or compulsive shopping. When adequately practiced under the guidance of an experienced therapist, it has been found beneficial for managing difficult emotions and increasing self-awareness. Mindfulness therapy allows teens to have greater control over their thoughts and reactions when faced with potentially triggering situations. Mindfulness therapy services can also help teens struggling with addiction avoid relapsing.
If you’re looking for mental health treatment for teens in Southern California—including addiction treatment—contact Destinations for Teens today at 877.466.0620. Someone from our compassionate staff can speak with you about whether mindfulness therapy treatment would benefit your teen.
