Mindfulness and Psychotherapy [Hardcover]

Christopher K. Germer PhD (Editor), Ronald D. Siegel PsyD (Editor), Paul R. Fulton Ed.D. (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1593851391 | ISBN-13: 978-1593851392 | Edition: 1

Responding to growing interest among psychotherapists of all theoretical orientations, this practical book provides a comprehensive introduction to mindfulness and its clinical applications. The authors, who have been practicing both mindfulness and psychotherapy for decades, present a range of clear-cut procedures for implementing mindfulness techniques and teaching them to patients experiencing depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and other problems. Also addressed are ways that mindfulness practices can increase acceptance and empathy in the therapeutic relationship. The book reviews the philosophical underpinnings of mindfulness and presents compelling empirical findings. User-friendly features include illustrative case examples, practice exercises, and resource listings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mindfulness and Psychotherapy is the first comprehensive work that pulls the various strands of knowledge under the rubric of mindfulness together and it does so in a scholarly yet highly accessible fashion. Drawing on both Buddhist and Western psychology, the subtle and intriguing concepts that fall under the notion of mindfulness (e.g. mediation, attentional style, empathy, acceptance and tolerance of affects) are fully explicated in the context of relevant research and theory. We are offered numerous hands-on techniques and resources for mindfulness training and for its integration into our therapeutic practice--be it cognitive-behavioral or psychodynamic. A real winner!"--Leo Goldberger, PhD, Behavioral Science Book Service Advisory Board member

“One of the best books yet on mindfulness and psychotherapy. Well informed, clinically sound, thoughtful, practical, and provocative."--Jack Kornfield, PhD, author of A Path With Heart

"A landmark contribution to the emerging field of mindfulness-based interventions in psychology, psychiatry, and medicine. Contributors include psychotherapists with longstanding personal commitments to mindfulness meditation practice and its clinical applications, as well as a neuroscientist and a Buddhist scholar. Comprehensive, accessible, and full of illuminating case studies and mindfulness-based exercises, this book is likely to catalyze interest in mindfulness for years to come. It opens a range of different doors for mental health professionals interested in applying mindfulness in the clinical domain and in the cultivation of well-being, happiness, compassion, and wisdom. It will serve as a useful text in undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in positive psychology, clinical practice, psychotherapy, and human performance."--Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, author of Coming to Our Senses

"Over the past decade, the concept of mindfulness has captured the imagination of psychotherapists. This impressive volume catalogs the clinical applications and relevance of mindfulness across the spectrum of emotional disorders, offering an evenhanded discussion of both theory and praxis. The unique perspective provided by editors and authors whose personal practice of mindfulness suffuses their work with patients makes this text a valuable addition to any classroom or clinic library."--Zindel V. Segal, PhD, Center for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada

"Mindfulness and Psychotherapy shines a light on a fundamental and powerful element in the process of human healing and transformation. With clarity and sensitivity, this book reveals how the cultivation of mindfulness can lead us to freedom in the midst of pain, anxiety, depression, and a host of other human difficulties. The editors and authors explore the theoretical and empirical basis for applying mindfulness in clinical settings, establishing it as a model of psychotherapy that is complementary to major contemporary schools of therapy. And then, with clear case examples, treatment methodologies, and exercises, they show us how mindfulness works! In addition to being an invaluable guide for mental health professionals, this book would serve well as required reading for undergraduate- or graduate-level courses in clinical psychology."--Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha

"When the history of 21st-century psychology is written, the introduction of mindfulness as an adjunct to psychotherapy will stand out like a beacon. This seminal volume is an expert's guide to the field, while still being fully accessible to the beginner. It is invaluable both to therapists and to anyone interested in developing awareness, presence, and compassion. Mindfulness and Psychotherapy is bound to become a classic text."--Joan Borysenko, PhD, author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind and Inner Peace for Busy People

"The editors and authors of this volume effectively demonstrate the use of (Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 2005-03-11)

"A brave and brilliant compilation from 11 different authors that explore many of the different ways that mindfulness can inform the theory and practice of psychotherapy....If the reader is new to the concept of 'mindfulness,' this book is a wonderful place to introduce himself or herself to the possibilities of mindfulness within his or her own life and therapy practice. If mindfulness is already familiar to the reader, this book is a wonderful collection of reference materials that can be easily navigated and used."--PsycCRITIQUES

(PsycCRITIQUES 2005-03-11)

About the Author

Christopher K. Germer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice, specializing in mindfulness-based treatment of anxiety and panic. He has been integrating meditation and mindfulness principles into psychotherapy since 1978 and has taken many trips to India to explore the varieties of meditation and yoga. Currently the Director of Continuing Education for the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy, he is a clinical instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School.

Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, a member of the clinical faculty of Harvard Medical School for over 20 years, and a longtime student of mindfulness meditation. His personal recovery from disabling back pain led him to develop a mind/n-/body program for treating chronic back pain, incorporating mindfulness techniques. He teaches nationally about mind-body treatment and maintains a private practice in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Dr. Siegel is coauthor of Back Sense: A Revolutionary Approach to Halting the Cycle of Chronic Back Pain.

Paul R. Fulton, EdD, is the Director of Mental Health for Tufts Health Plan in Massachusetts, a clinical psychologist in private practice, and a forensic psychologist. He received lay ordination as a Zen Buddhist in 1972, and has been a student of psychology and meditation for 35 years. He was the clinical director of a large state psychiatric facility, and later the program director for a private psychiatric hospital. Dr. Fulton is on the board of directors of the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and is President of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 333 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (March 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593851391
• ISBN-13: 978-1593851392
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Psychoanalysis
  • #36 in Books > Medical Books > Nursing > Psychiatry & Mental Health
  • #86 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > Psychotherapy, TA & NLP

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

116 of 118 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A special collection about nothing special May 8, 2005

By Thomas J. Tanguay

Format:Hardcover

As a psychotherapist for 30 years and a mindfulness practitioner for nearly 10 years, I have read a lot of good books and articles on both subjects. "Mindfulness and Psychotherapy" is as clear and helpful in both disiplines as any I have encounted. The editors have done a 'mindful' job in selecting from an array of perspectives. Mindfulness is defined and contextualized for our western psychotherapeutic practice, while also placed in an historical and cultural framwork that informs and enlightens our understanding. Indeed the more philosophical essays are perhaps the strongest pieces in this marvelous compendium. We are reminded that the Buddah saw himself as a physician who sought to diagnose and find a cure for human suffering. Out of his own intimate encounter with suffering, he devised and revised a program that we in western psychological science are just now testing and finding curative-both for our clients and for ourselves.

There is much here to be considered by all schools of psychotherapy. Paul Fulton presents an intriguing chapter on Mindfulness as Clinical Training. There are concise chapters on teaching mindfulness skills to clients (even children)with varying disorders, including panic,anxiety, depression, and psychophysiological problems. There is a comprehensive while managable 'Resources for the Clinician" appendix.

Andrew Olendzki deserves special mention for his piece on "The Roots of Mindfulness." I had to stop highlighting as each page was yellowed with brightness.

If you are a psychotherapist, a meditator, or thinking of practicing either, you will do well to read this wonderful book.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a wise, invaluable resource March 10, 2006

By Anonymous

Format:Hardcover

This well-written, wise, accessible book will help novice and seasoned therapists incorporate mindfulness practice into their clinical work, skillfully and thoughtfully. The editors and contributors provide a range of expert perspectives on the role of mindfulness in psychotherapy and convey the complexity of good psychotherapy, mindfulness practice, and the union of the two. The clarity with which they accomplish this is remarkable. The depth of their personal and professional expertise and experience is evident throughout. Inclusion of a thorough review of current research in the area is another notable strength of the volume. I highly recommend this book to clinicians and researchers interested in the powerful role that mindfulness may play in psychological healing. It is essential reading for anyone interested in this highly promising area of study.
-- Lizabeth Roemer, Ph.D.

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Complicated and Deep June 29, 2006

By I. A Minor

Format:Hardcover

This is a good exposition of mindfulness theory and practice. Althought a novice therapist will find the text useful, most of the insight gained by reading this text will be achieved by therapists with 5 to 10 years actual practice under their belts. I would advise novice therapists to buy this book immediately and then delve into each chapter several times per month for the next few years. They will never regret it. The problem and promise on this book is that it requires you to go back and review each concept of your original training, whether it is Adlerian, Freudian, Cognitive or Christian. Mindfulness is the goldplating overlay that makes your therapy more valuable.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A successful marriage between traditions December 7, 2010

By Shiloh True TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I discovered this fantastic book, quite by accident. I was perusing online psych education resources for a challenging, advanced level course, for contact hours. I was delighted to see a course offering with this book as the reference guide. Not only was this the best course I have taken in recent years, it was also one of the most challenging.

I have been a student of Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness practice, and yoga, for many years, but I have not carried it into my psychiatric workplace, which is dominated by a medical model. I was very interested in learning more about the potential clinical applications, but mostly, I wanted to advance my own mindfulness practice to assist in dealing with difficult patients; to stay completely in the moment during counseling, and assistive sessions. The emotionally fragile can perceive a moment of drift, or lack of genuine connection, which is often difficult to avoid. I also needed to learn when to step back, and take a little meditative break, in order to return refreshed, attentive, and truly empathetic to my patient's needs. I learned ALL this and more with this course. But, it will take continued practice throughout the remainder of my career.

In 'Mindfulness and Psychotherapy,' you will learn to distinguish mindfulness traditions from Western psychotherapy and how the blending of the traditions enhances therapeutic relationships. Various disorders are explored, with exercises for establishing interventions and goals. You will have a review of the historical roots of Western psychotherapy and might be surprised to find that, although only recently reaching growing popularity, mindfulness has always been an element of the developing history of psychotherapy, although it may have been explored in different manners....

You need NOT be a psychotherapist to benefit from the book, but Buddhist teachings, meditative practice and mindfulness will be a great advantage. Any clinical practitioner treats patients among their population with various psychiatric disorders, from the most serious, to generalized anxiety, stress, and most commonly chronic pain. We do a terrible disservice to our patients, when we don't address the entire person: the bio, psycho, social being. They are in fragments, needing to be pulled together as one, under stress. It is our role to take the time to be there for them, to help them accomplish this, even if they are just coming in for gallbladder surgery.

I highly recommend this book; mine is a dogeared, coffee stained keeper. I can see mindfulness traditions paving the way for new patient interventions with more positive outcomes. We have a void out there that needs to be filled, in meeting our patients' needs. This may just be it, but it takes a lot of dedication on the part of the practitioner to develop the necessary skills! This is potentially the biggest drawback, as many may just not be able to connect with this challenging, lifelong process. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very user-friendly textbook November 27, 2010

By Susi

Format:Hardcover

I got this book for a class I took last year. It is so helpful in "real-life" work situations particularly the chapters on depression, anxiety, and pain as it gives concrete ways to use mindfulness techniques to help clients with these issues. These techniques (imo) are so fantastic in therapy because they are not at all "cookie cutter" - they blend each person's current reality with their values in a way that leads to a healthier, more integrated life. I've had a mindfulness practice for a long time so most of the info in the earlier chapters was stuff I already knew. It was presented very well though - very easy to read and understand.