Mindfulness Therapy
The term “mindfulness” has become a household word - and for good reason. Mindfulness is an ancient practice at the core of Buddhism but has been researched extensively in recent years. It has been proven to be effective for a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, and chronic pain. Mindfulness could be the answer you’re looking for.
Mindfulness Can Help Stop the War Against Yourself
Maybe you suffer from anxiety and depression and feel like you've tried everything to overcome it. You've read books, tried exercise, started medication, and maybe even did some therapy in the past. All of these helped some, but nothing gives you the relief you really want. You've started to judge yourself for still feeling this way, getting frustrated and despairing when you feel another episode coming on.
Mindfulness can help transform the way we relate to ourselves and our experiences. People often come to therapy wanting to get rid of difficult feelings, which is totally understandable. The problem is that the more we fight with what we're feeling, the stronger it becomes. Mindfulness presents a different approach. It provides a technique that allows us to be open and curious about whatever we think and feel, rather than judge ourselves without mercy.
Benefits of Mindfulness Therapy
People seek out mindfulness therapy for a variety of reasons. In my years practicing mindfulness and helping my clients integrate it into their lives, I’ve seen many benefits. You can find a few below.
Cultivate a compassionate relationship with yourself
Learn to respond thoughtfully to stressful situations instead of acting out of emotion
Develop ways of calming anxiety and stress
Stop using unhealthy ways of dealing with negative feelings
Gain a sense of inner balance, no matter what is going on around you
Meditation and Mindfulness
Many of the clients I see wonder “Do I have to know how to meditate to practice mindfulness?” The answer is no, you don’t!
Starting a formal meditation practice isn’t a required part of mindfulness-based therapy, although many people find it valuable. There are a number of ways that mindfulness can be brought into daily life, which will help you develop greater awareness and self-compassion.
Many clients tell me that they can’t meditate because they can’t get their minds to stop thinking. In mindfulness meditation, thoughts are not a problem – in fact, they are expected! The goal is not to get our minds to stop thinking, but rather not to let ourselves get carried off by a train of thought.
In mindfulness therapy, we will first discuss what mindfulness is. Then, I’ll give you an understanding of how mindfulness differs from our usual way of dealing with problems. Throughout our work together, we’ll bring mindfulness into our sessions to help you develop an embodied and compassionate relationship with whatever comes up.
Begin Mindfulness Therapy in Washington, DC Today
The beauty of mindfulness therapy is that it can be tailored to fit your specific needs and challenges. So, I often incorporate mindfulness into sessions for other areas of concern, too. If you’re ready to get started with mindfulness therapy at my Washington, DC-area therapy practice, let’s get connected.
Go ahead and set up a free 15-minute phone consultation. Then, we’ll meet to discuss your needs and goals for therapy. From there, we’ll get started with sessions and you can begin adding mindfulness tools to your daily life before you know it.
Other Services at Lisa Zimmerman Therapy
As an experienced mindfulness therapist in the Washington, DC area, I’ve seen how mindfulness therapy can help in all areas of life. If you don’t believe mindfulness is right for you, I offer other services, too, like therapy for codependency, trauma therapy, individual therapy for relationships, and more. Plus, I offer online therapy for your added convenience. Let’s get started working you through your struggles so you can find joy in the present.