Non-Traditional Therapy Paper

MINDFULNESS THROUGH MEDITATION

Non-Traditional Therapy Paper

Taylor Sowell

HS 2850

Professor Irene Diritsky

11/20/18
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Abstract

This paper consists of information that supports Mindfulness-Based Therapy. It examines

the history, evolution, benefits, targeted population (those with diagnosed mental illnesses, or

individuals with symptoms congruent to a deficiency in those processes), implementation,

systematic, and an conclusion at the end that summarizes the content of the paper, as well as

provides insight as to my favorite parts of this Non-traditional Therapy method. As I compiled

information and research for this paper, I was pleasantly surprised to find the amount of parallels

between Buddha’s teachings in Zen practice, and Psychotherapy There are several forms of

“Direct Transmissions” (on several pertinent levels of varying scales) that are littered throughout

the readings and this paper, most of which are detailed and outlined. (A. Simpkins, C. Simpkins,

2012, pg. 35-7). I have provided small, in-text explanations for some terms that may be

unfamiliar to those not in the field, but otherwise all information is applicable to all persons

willing and ready to enlighten themselves, and begin a new and healthy relationship with

themselves.
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History

Starting over 2500 years ago, a man named Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha, and

the notion of “Zen” was born. Enlightenment is the basis for the Buddhist religion, that began in

India thousands of years ago. It comprised of many elements, but there is one in particular that

can be utilized in a clinical practice as therapy. Practicing meditation is one way to strengthen

the mindfulness that directly influences our thinking, and therefore, way of life. Some may view

the traditional image of ‘meditation’ as one on the floor, with yoga mats, and a whole set up

designed to relax you. However, practicing mindfulness, or meditating, does not have to be that

intricate.

In the many readings I’ve come across during the writing of this paper, I have found that

the principles that birthed the rise of ancient yoga and Buddha practices, are all spiritual in

nature. The truths and teachings of Buddha can be applied to any and every situation and

individual who is willing to try using their own power to unlock their happiness from within. The

definition of Spirituality Senreich developed in 2013 (as cited in Lord, 2017 pg. 99), reads:

“Spirituality refers to a human being’s subjective relationship (cognitive,

emotional, and intuitive) to what is unknowable about existence, and how a person integrates that

relationship into a perspective about the universe, the world, others, self, moral values, and one’s

sense of meaning.”

It is clear then, that everyone should have their own conceptions of spirituality. If this is

so, how does the Buddha’s teachings resonate among all who practice? The answer is because

the Buddha’s teachings promote the cultivation of emotional balance. Not only that, but
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practicing mindfulness can decrease habitual patterns, and help re-align obscured perceptions or

impaired judgement. Observing the power of destructive and healing emotions are central to the

Buddha’s teachings. (Kabat-Zinn, 1990 as cited in (Feldman, Hayes, 2004)).

Ancient Buddha and yoga practices have recently made a surge in the clinical realm.

There have been many uses in the psychotherapy field since its implementation as a treatment for

symptoms related to stress in individuals with presenting conditions. But where did this idea

come from? Why is it important? How does it work? And how can something that originated so

long ago, still be so effective? The answers to those questions lie within the definition of

mindfulness itself.

Evolution

Mindfulness is defined as “Moment-by-moment awareness” by Germer in 2005 (as cited

in Lord, 2017, pg. 100). Mindfulness is a skill that can be learned and practiced. It increases the

neuroplasticity of the brain, and allows one to change their focus. When you notice your

thoughts begin to run on “auto pilot”, you can simply shift your focus, and come back to the

present moment. (Marchand, 2016 pg. 70) When used as a therapy, practicing mindfulness can

help you experience the present non-judgmentally and actually combat the effects of the stressors

that have been related to feelings of depression and anxiety. (Hofmann, Sawyer, Witt, Oh, 2010

pg. 169).

Practices including mindfulness have evolved to the point where Mindful-Based-

Therapy, or MBT, has reliable effects on non-clinical populations, even though it is more

efficient in populations with an identified disorder. (Hofmann, Sawyer, Witt, Oh, 2010 pg. 180).

Nevertheless, the same Sanskrit “Koshas” used by yogis years ago to demystify the mental and
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emotional boundaries of one’s energy can be used as a tool even today. (Fay, 2017, pg. 258)

Similarly, our definitions in the Human Services field has changed over the years and now,

“Addictions can be conceptualized as a way to both maintain the highs and avoid the lows of life

((Marlatt, 1994) as cited in Feldman, Hayes, 2004 pg. 255) With that being said, the name of the

game is regulation, and it is up to us as counselors to aid our clients in the realization of this

regulation through the practice of MBT as a treatment for symptoms.

Benefits

There are countless ways to measure the befits that come with practicing mindfulness. It

directly improves your ability to regulate emotional states, which reduces symptoms of suffering,

through the self-compassion that emerges once you become aware of your desire to relieve that

suffering. (Marchland, 2016, pg. 52-55). Mindfulness can help ease shame in clients, as well as

disarm their associations with the traumas that keep them stuck in a reactionary phase of living

and thinking. (Fay, 2017, pg. 198) Integrating mindfulness practices into your everyday life can

help to eliminate unwanted stress from your cognitive and emotional perception.

Practically using mindful and meditation practices can increase “empathic concern, and

perspective taking in intimate relationships, as well as physical, emotional, and mental health.

(Wachs and Cordova, 2007, and Gambrel and Keeling, 2010) as cited in Lord, 2017 pg. 100). It

can help you to self-regulate your attention. This allows you to approach the experience with an

accepting and curious orient. By doing this, you are centering both your internal and external

experiences, as well as decreasing your emotional reactivity. Facilitating behavior at the point

can lead to great cognitive flexibility, and help to sustain and regulate moods. (Feldman, Hayes,

2004, pg. 156)

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Meditation and the Bipolar/Depression/Anxiety Population

There are several benefits to incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, however

studies show that those with a diagnosis have a higher chance of seeing results because the

symptoms are being treated. This doesn’t mean that people without presenting problems cannot

benefit from mediation, quite the opposite. We know that practicing meditation and mindfulness

can help heal trauma, create a safe space for the client, reduce depressive symptoms, and even

cultivate the space for change by healing us inside and out, (Fay, 2017, pg. x-xi, (Hofmann,

Sawyer, Witt, Oh, 2010 pg. 178), and (Lord, 2017 pg. 110))). The difference is that the

undiagnosed individual’s progress may not be related to symptoms, and thus progress may not be

as obvious or “in succession” to an isolated event.

Mindfulness does, however, teach people how to be aware of their thoughts without

judgement. Cognitive-Based Mindfulness Therapy encourages healthy and alternate lifestyle

changes, that lead to greater regularity in mindfulness practice. It also treats anxiety and

depressive symptoms. (Alatiq, Barnhofer, Crane, Duggan, Fennell, Goodwin, Hepburn, and

Williams, 2007, Pg. 276). Traditionally, every person with a Bipolar Spectrum Disorder

diagnosis, is likely treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medicine. This is the

medical standard as of now. However, what if we used mindfulness as a tool for depressive

episodes, using a guided meditation to aid our clients in coming back to a non-reactive state? We

know that without practiced mindfulness, we could slip into “auto pilot” mode, and when our

thoughts and emotions wander and intensify, which can directly contribute to anxiety and

stressors. (Marchand, 2015, pgs. 5, 25, 98). But the question stands: How can we integrate

mindfulness practice on a small and general scale, into the lives of any and all who wish to

utilize it?
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Implementation of Meditation Therapy

Meditation is the act of training your attention. It raises awareness, and helps with the

feelings of craving and desire that plague us all. It allows us to observe our thinking patterns, and

manage the anger and irritability that comes with confronting aversion. This, in turn, allows an

individual to develop new relationships with those emotions, and from there the feeling and

response can be adjusted, and progress can be made. (Marchland, 2015, pg. 65) It is important to

remember that even though these techniques are clinically used in the treatment of symptoms

relating to diagnosis, all of us experience these symptoms in some degree, at some time in our

lives.

Mindfulness is about moderation as well as control. It is developing trust, and promoting

productive, meaningful communication habits. It is summoning forgiveness in our relationships

with ourselves and others, and implementing the growth potential we all poses inside of us.

(Lord, 2017, pg. 100, 103). In one study, participants who were asked to do less than one hour of

mindfulness practice a day, for six days a week. Those participants significantly lowered their

anxiety and depression symptoms. (Alatiq, Barnhofer, Crane, Duggan, Fennell, Goodwin,

Hepburn, and Williams, 2007, Pg. 276 sec. 2.4) By using the mental health symptoms we are

accustomed to in the Human Services field, it is easy to facilitate responses from the MBT that

correlate with mental and emotional benefits that are recognized on a general/individualized

scale.

Using Mindfulness Systematically

MBT utilizes “interoceptive attention” (looking inward, or self-monitoring) to identify

and regulate physical and emotional sensations in the “insula” region of the brain. When you
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focus on your breath during MBT, you improve your mental and emotional function, and as a

result, lower symptom presence. (Marchland, 2015, pg. 50). How does this relate on an

individual scale? The brain is comprised of cells that communicate by sending electric currents

of information to one another through a process called “Neurotransmission”. Just like

“neuroplasticity”, this activity happens in the brain, where the info shared between the synapse

of the dendrites on the cells tell your brain how to function and respond to stimuli in your

environment.

Chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine ,glutamate, and GABA are fired

and absorbed. In persons with an identified mental illness, the brain’s circuits are incorrectly

firing from the neuron. These disruptions in the brain result in emotional symptoms related to

depression, mania, anxiety, irritation, and other bipolar symptoms. What this looks likes and

means externally will differ based on the diagnosis, but one thing is for sure: One, this all occurs

as an automatic process in us as individuals. And secondly, practicing mindfulness helps to

strengthen and can even rewire the mis-firing neurons with time and repetition. (Marchland,

2015, Pgs. 39-45, 47).

As for brain function, the Hippocampus located in the Temporal lobe handles memory

and emotional control. The Medial cortex, amygdala, and striatum all function in accordance to

emotional symptoms. They can be swayed one way or the other. Similarly, the cognitive

symptoms of the brain can sway too (“auto-pilot” thinking is initiated by a wandering mind

going to or from events and memories relating to past experiences.” (Marchland, 2015, Pg. 49).

So by minding the breath, mindfulness allows us to access these cycles, by stopping and

restarting when necessary. In this way, you can avoid being swept up with your auto-pilot

thought-patterns, and maintain the functionality that is in best response to your identified
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emotions. A study conducted in 2011 found that meditators actually increased the grey matter in

their brains through mindfulness practice. The grey matter in our brains access our memories,

self-awareness properties, empathy skills, and learning ability. (Lord, 2017, pg. 101)

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is overwhelming evidence that promotes the use and implementation

of MBT in the lives of every health-conscious individual. Armed with the knowledge presented

in this paper, any individual looking to exercise their brain, and master their thoughts, can do so.

In many ways, we are all on the same chase for happiness. The Buddha’s teachings remind us

that we are in possession of all we need to reach Nirvana (The final goal of Buddhism, a state in

which there is no suffering, desire, or sense of self. A state where one is released from the cycle

of death and rebirth.) We are reminded that our bliss and enlightenment rests in the moment

between each breath, and that mindfulness is the first step in claiming a piece of that as your

reality. (A. Simpkins, C. Simpkins, 2012, pg. 35-7)

In writing this paper, there were many things that I enjoyed, but I think my favorite part

is realizing the minimalistic and transferrable principles of Buddhism throughout the readings. It

is fascinating to me that a theory achieved and taught by one, interpreted and passed down by

many could still hold such weight and prove to be so transformative thousands of years later.

Even for those who are not spiritual, meditation and mindfulness are positive and holistic ways

to cultivate a life and experience that you are aware of in every second of every minute. Utilizing

the most of every day gifted to us starts with the first breath we take when we wake up. With

MBT, anyone can use that breath to change their perception, thoughts, discipline, words, actions,

and life all by simply being. Therein lies the true power of mindfulness through meditation.
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Research Paper Reference Page:

Fay, D. (2017). Attachment-based yoga & meditation for trauma recovery: Simple, safe, and

effective practices for therapy. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Hayes, A. M. (2004). Clarifying the Construct of Mindfulness in the Context of Emotion Regulation

and the Process of Change in Therapy. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice,11(3), 255-

262. doi:10.1093/clipsy/bph080

Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A. A., & Oh, D. (2010). The effect of mindfulness-based

therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical

Psychology,78(2), 169-183. doi:10.1037/a0018555

Lord, S. A. (2017). Mindfulness and Spirituality in Couple Therapy: The Use of Meditative

Dialogue to Help Couples Develop Compassion and Empathy for Themselves and Each

Other. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy,38(1), 98-114.

doi:10.1002/anzf.1201

Marchand, W. R. (2016). Mindfulness for bipolar disorder: How mindfulness and neuroscience can

help you manage your bipolar symptoms. Strawberry Hills, NSW: ReadHowYouWant.

Simpkins, A. M., & Simpkins, C. A. (2012). Zen meditation in psychotherapy: Techniques for

clinical practice. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Williams, J., Alatiq, Y., Crane, C., Barnhofer, T., Fennell, M., Duggan, D., . . . Goodwin, G. (2008).

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in bipolar disorder: Preliminary evaluation of

immediate effects on between-episode functioning. Journal of Affective Disorders,107(1-3), 275-

279. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2007.08.022
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HS 2850 NONTRADITIONAL RESEARCH PAPER

Pg 29 on Handbook part 1 meditation

NAME:___________________________ Topic:________________________________

1.) HISTORY/ USE/BENEFITS AND RESEARCH=100 POINTS

2.) SPECIFIC POPULATION AND METHOD YOU WOULD USE= 50 POINTS
3.) WHAT YOU LIKED ABOUT THE APPROACH=40 POINTS
4.) QUOTES, PAPER FORMAT, GRAMMAR, SENTENCE STRUCTURE, ABILITY TO INTERPRET THE INFORMATION=30
POINT
5.) BIBLIOGRAPHY, APA FORMAT, RULES FOLLOWED=30 POINTS

Non-Traditional Research Paper

You will be developing a college level research paper using the American Psychological Association format (APA) . This will be a typed
paper and INCLUDES a Bibliography and References. You will also make a 10 minute presentation in class. This paper and
presentation are 300 points

1.) In class you will choose one of the identified Non-Traditional Helping Topics to Research.

2.) Using the internet, conduct your research on the topic. You must have at least 4 internet resources and 2 book sources. You will be
including your research findings by quoting them in your paper and the References section of your paper using the APA (American
Psychological Association) format. Any ideas that are not common knowledge also need to have the author identified in your paper,
otherwise you are plagiarizing. It is the student’s responsibility to educate themselves on proper formats to site authors/resources
in the body of the paper. The instructor will provide a short presentation on APA formats, and provide some handouts
summarizing APA requirements. See your syllabus under “cheating” for the disciplinary process. The NASW web site provides
APA instructions for research papers or you can get the APA guidebook. Purdue Owl site also provides APA information. The
Writing Center at CCC. Can also assist students with resources and proper formats of research papers. You are strongly
encouraged to seek services from this support service at the college.

3.) Identify the “therapy” what it consists of, the history of its use and evolution, and benefits. You must support this information
from citing data and quotes (use appropriate citation methods to substantiate your findings) taken from the sources you
researched and use the proper APA format. You will be analyzing the research and interpreting it using quotes (APA style)
and your own words. You will have a topic sentence for each paragraph and tie your thoughts together throughout the paper.
Find a resource on the proper way to write research papers, if it has been a long time since you took a composition course.

4.) Describe how you would use this helping approach with one specific population (of your choice) and provide the methods of
how you would use this.

5.) Finally, what do you like about this helping approach?

6.) Make copies of all work used and Hi-light all of the areas in the chapters and internet journals articles that you used for your
paper. Include this by attaching these reference materials to your submitted paper with a clip. Each reference cited, needs the
corresponding copies of the work. You will copy book chapters and internet articles. Students who do not provide this
required portion will receive a failing grade on their paper.

7.) References section is last in your paper, using the APA format and rules.