The value of mindfulness in the counseling process

The concept of mindfulness in recent years has increasingly intensified the interest of healthcare professionals while finding applications in the context of counseling. Mindfulness considers thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations to be objects to be observed without judgment. Counseling based on the principles of mindfulness aims to adopt practices that will contribute to building a meaningful professional relationship. The two most widespread structured interventions based on the principles of mindfulness, which could also be basic counseling tools, are Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). The first was created for the purpose of stress management, while the second is aimed at people who show a recurring form of depression. As a result of counseling based on the principles of mindfulness, the client benefits cognitively by changing thoughts and behaviors that negatively affect their daily life. It also helps to avoid experiencing anxiety and to strengthen the effort to deal with anxiety for the benefit of the individual. The limited studies on the positive or negative effects of mindfulness-based counseling leave a gap as to the extent to which incorporating mindfulness practice into counseling may or may not work, but underscore the need for future research. This article highlights the value of mindfulness in counseling.

Keywords: Counseling, mindfulness, mindfulness based stress reduction, mindfulness based cognitive therapy