Comments on: Wild Monkeys On Board: Mindfulness in Therapy & Daily Life http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/ Exploring Healthy Psychotherapy Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:46:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-12139 Sarah Jenkins Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:50:48 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-12139 Austin, I'm truly sorry for the delayed response. To get started, look up yoga studios in your local area. Level 1 or Relaxation classes are great ones for starting out. They teach you the basic poses (asanas) and also get you relaxing and in the moment. They are like foundation classes. You can ask to observe some classes too, just to get a feel for what the studio is like. The benefits are, in my experience, physical, mental, and spiritual balance. Yoga is not just a physical practice, but a mental and spiritual experience. I can, literally, feel my life force flowing more freely and I also experience a greater sense of calm. Again, everyone will describe it differently. There is a Yoga Journal magazine that may give you some great information as well. Hope that helps! Austin,

I’m truly sorry for the delayed response. To get started, look up yoga studios in your local area. Level 1 or Relaxation classes are great ones for starting out. They teach you the basic poses (asanas) and also get you relaxing and in the moment. They are like foundation classes. You can ask to observe some classes too, just to get a feel for what the studio is like. The benefits are, in my experience, physical, mental, and spiritual balance. Yoga is not just a physical practice, but a mental and spiritual experience. I can, literally, feel my life force flowing more freely and I also experience a greater sense of calm. Again, everyone will describe it differently. There is a Yoga Journal magazine that may give you some great information as well. Hope that helps!

]]> By: Austin http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10309 Austin Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:33:51 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10309 I am not sure I am really all that into this. It seems a little out of my usual comfort zone of dealing with things. Can I, who has never done anything like this, benefit? Where would I even begin? I am not sure I am really all that into this. It seems a little out of my usual comfort zone of dealing with things. Can I, who has never done anything like this, benefit? Where would I even begin?

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10293 Sarah Jenkins Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:54:00 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10293 Terry and Riggs, I am always shown that how I am on the mat, is how I am being in the world. It is humbling. Whatever my "monkey mind" is doing off of the mat, just "shows" up on the mat as well. It is a great mirror for my internal experience. Yoga helps me to remember that my external experience in the world, always reflects my internal energy. And, when everything is in sync, the present does just unfold. Terry and Riggs, I am always shown that how I am on the mat, is how I am being in the world. It is humbling. Whatever my “monkey mind” is doing off of the mat, just “shows” up on the mat as well. It is a great mirror for my internal experience. Yoga helps me to remember that my external experience in the world, always reflects my internal energy. And, when everything is in sync, the present does just unfold.

]]> By: Terry http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10267 Terry Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:49:27 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10267 Riggs, If you've never tried yoga, now may be the perfect time to start. It sounds like you are really ready at this point since you've already seen some of the benefits that come from yoga. Being in the present is more than just not worrying about other things in your life. So, why not take a class? Riggs,
If you’ve never tried yoga, now may be the perfect time to start. It sounds like you are really ready at this point since you’ve already seen some of the benefits that come from yoga. Being in the present is more than just not worrying about other things in your life. So, why not take a class?

]]> By: Riggs http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10257 Riggs Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:47:22 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10257 I must confess that I've never really tried yoga, but recently I have grabbed hold of living in the present. The result? I have found that I have so much more patience, especially with my children. If I focus on what is going on with them at the moment rather than the laundry list of things I have to do, I am much more willing to hear what they have to say and occasionally do the things they want to do rather than the things I have to do. I must confess that I’ve never really tried yoga, but recently I have grabbed hold of living in the present. The result? I have found that I have so much more patience, especially with my children. If I focus on what is going on with them at the moment rather than the laundry list of things I have to do, I am much more willing to hear what they have to say and occasionally do the things they want to do rather than the things I have to do.

]]> By: Maggie http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10209 Maggie Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:32:28 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10209 I think that you are right in some cases that new counselors and therapists are often the best, but by the same token there are some experienced ones out there who still do care and wat to make a difference. I think the modeli illustrated in this model gives all of us some fresh perspective and new ideas to learn from and will certainly help many of us to liven up oursleves and patients once again. Thanks for the article. I think that you are right in some cases that new counselors and therapists are often the best, but by the same token there are some experienced ones out there who still do care and wat to make a difference. I think the modeli illustrated in this model gives all of us some fresh perspective and new ideas to learn from and will certainly help many of us to liven up oursleves and patients once again. Thanks for the article.

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10205 Sarah Jenkins Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:03:45 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10205 Hey, no worries Ed. I don't think the apology about pessimism is necessary. I teach new graduate level therapists, so I get where you are coming from on that. It is always so important, and often ignored, for them to have a healthy balance of personal growth, experience, and formal training Take care, and best of luck in all of those wonderful things it sounds like you are doing out there! ;) Hey, no worries Ed. I don’t think the apology about pessimism is necessary. I teach new graduate level therapists, so I get where you are coming from on that. It is always so important, and often ignored, for them to have a healthy balance of personal growth, experience, and formal training

Take care, and best of luck in all of those wonderful things it sounds like you are doing out there! ;)

]]> By: Ed http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10203 Ed Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:21:27 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10203 I wish that developmental stages translated easily into "new" and "seasoned" therapists. Unhappily they don't, and developmental considerations - whether Loevinger's, Kohlberg's, Erikson's or any other - all note the individual's, especially therapists, resistence to growth. There's also that nagging problem that bedevils therapists as it does teachers - the best are the newest and formal training is counter productive (see House of Cards by Dawes, but most of us know this from colleagues and experience). Sorry for being a touch pessimistic - 12 years in adolescent psych hospitals, another 20 in rural Alaska, and my current work have not rendered me optimistic about clinicians, though I remain so about clients. Regards... I wish that developmental stages translated easily into “new” and “seasoned” therapists. Unhappily they don’t, and developmental considerations – whether Loevinger’s, Kohlberg’s, Erikson’s or any other – all note the individual’s, especially therapists, resistence to growth.

There’s also that nagging problem that bedevils therapists as it does teachers – the best are the newest and formal training is counter productive (see House of Cards by Dawes, but most of us know this from colleagues and experience).

Sorry for being a touch pessimistic – 12 years in adolescent psych hospitals, another 20 in rural Alaska, and my current work have not rendered me optimistic about clinicians, though I remain so about clients.

Regards…

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10201 Sarah Jenkins Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:20:34 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10201 Ed, I would certainly agree with you that therapists don't have to have "gone through" the same things as clients to work towards healing. Besides, who in the world has had the exact same life? Like you indicated, look at the various developmental stages we are in. That being said, "high and low level" therapists seems more like "newer vs. seasoned." We all start somewhere, don't we? Nevertheless, my point is that I believe that as therapists, when working with clients, and what they are struggling through, that we have an obligation to do our work around those issues if they are ours too. Energetically, we must face the shadows in ourselves, just as we work together with clients to face theirs. Thanks for your comment! Ed,
I would certainly agree with you that therapists don’t have to have “gone through” the same things as clients to work towards healing. Besides, who in the world has had the exact same life? Like you indicated, look at the various developmental stages we are in. That being said, “high and low level” therapists seems more like “newer vs. seasoned.” We all start somewhere, don’t we?

Nevertheless, my point is that I believe that as therapists, when working with clients, and what they are struggling through, that we have an obligation to do our work around those issues if they are ours too. Energetically, we must face the shadows in ourselves, just as we work together with clients to face theirs.

Thanks for your comment!

]]> By: Ed http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10195 Ed Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:05:12 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10195 I am careful applying the "we cannot take our clients further than we have gone ourselves," seductive as it is. I work a lot with Dr. Jane Loevinger's ego development model (Washington University, St Louis) and the phrase is correct up to a point. But low level therapists will never be able to work with anyone - and there are no lack of these in practice. However, Conscientious therapists can also work with the higher level clients just as good coaches. trainers, and physical therapists can work with a wide variety of "clients" whose abilities far exceed their own. The same is true with regard to notions such as "only someone who's been there can understand..." Indeed, for example as drug/alcohol rehab has shown, those who have "been there" are the least effective. So, I advise caution in our own - and my own - generalizations. Especially those which suggest that I am the provider and my client the recipient instead of our work being a collaborative effort, leading us both to new discoveries. I am careful applying the “we cannot take our clients further than we have gone ourselves,” seductive as it is. I work a lot with Dr. Jane Loevinger’s ego development model (Washington University, St Louis) and the phrase is correct up to a point. But low level therapists will never be able to work with anyone – and there are no lack of these in practice. However, Conscientious therapists can also work with the higher level clients just as good coaches. trainers, and physical therapists can work with a wide variety of “clients” whose abilities far exceed their own.

The same is true with regard to notions such as “only someone who’s been there can understand…” Indeed, for example as drug/alcohol rehab has shown, those who have “been there” are the least effective.

So, I advise caution in our own – and my own – generalizations. Especially those which suggest that I am the provider and my client the recipient instead of our work being a collaborative effort, leading us both to new discoveries.

]]> By: Stephanie W http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10177 Stephanie W Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:32:49 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10177 I know what you mean about stress levels and the inability to give it your all. But sometimes if you can work through that in your mind and just go ahead and go to class you will be amazed with what results you will feel. You will automatically feel better just from being there and letting the moment of the class take away the stressors in your life. For me it even clears my head enough so that I know what all I have to do to keep everything else going and to even solve the other problems I amy be having. I know what you mean about stress levels and the inability to give it your all. But sometimes if you can work through that in your mind and just go ahead and go to class you will be amazed with what results you will feel. You will automatically feel better just from being there and letting the moment of the class take away the stressors in your life. For me it even clears my head enough so that I know what all I have to do to keep everything else going and to even solve the other problems I amy be having.

]]> By: Laura H http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10165 Laura H Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:35:22 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10165 I love yoga especially Bikram! I laugh louder, breath deaper, and have more energy. However my fear and anxiety levels are so high right now that I can not even go to yoga. I love yoga especially Bikram! I laugh louder, breath deaper, and have more energy. However my fear and anxiety levels are so high right now that I can not even go to yoga.

]]> By: Jennifer Therapist http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10097 Jennifer Therapist Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:47:36 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10097 What a wonderful release for your clients I am sure. Yoga has so mant benefits, bith physically and emotionally, that I sure that the practice of it really serves many people im your caseload well. What a wonderful release for your clients I am sure. Yoga has so mant benefits, bith physically and emotionally, that I sure that the practice of it really serves many people im your caseload well.

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10079 Sarah Jenkins Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:01:04 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10079 Chicago Therapist, Thanks so much for the feedback! Yes, I don't think we can separate our work with the mind, from the body and spirit. As a trauma therapist, I am very keen on making sure that clients are able to identify the link between them. I'm glad that the article is a resource for you, and your clients. Thanks so much for taking the time to read it and bring it into your life as well. Best wishes! Chicago Therapist,

Thanks so much for the feedback! Yes, I don’t think we can separate our work with the mind, from the body and spirit. As a trauma therapist, I am very keen on making sure that clients are able to identify the link between them. I’m glad that the article is a resource for you, and your clients. Thanks so much for taking the time to read it and bring it into your life as well. Best wishes!

]]> By: Jeni http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10067 Jeni Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:58:06 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10067 I am so bad about not listening to what my body is trying to tell me. Maybe practising yoga can help me get a better feel for that and help me develop a little more self awareness. I am so bad about not listening to what my body is trying to tell me. Maybe practising yoga can help me get a better feel for that and help me develop a little more self awareness.

]]> By: Mind Body Shop http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10049 Mind Body Shop Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:42:57 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10049 Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it. Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.

]]> By: Chicago Therapist http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10039 Chicago Therapist Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:57:16 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10039 Yoga can be such a cathartic experience for so many people that I think that it is great that you are recommending this for your clients. There is so much ease and comfort to be obtained by this, what can be a spiritually moving experience for many and I applaud you fo using innovative therapy techniques for your clients. I think that Ill keep you article as a resource for myself to discover how I can also use this in a therapeutic and creayive way for my own patients, and maybe even myself! :-) Yoga can be such a cathartic experience for so many people that I think that it is great that you are recommending this for your clients. There is so much ease and comfort to be obtained by this, what can be a spiritually moving experience for many and I applaud you fo using innovative therapy techniques for your clients. I think that Ill keep you article as a resource for myself to discover how I can also use this in a therapeutic and creayive way for my own patients, and maybe even myself! :-)

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10035 Sarah Jenkins Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:44:05 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10035 Welcome back to the mat ;) Yes, yoga, truly, is an inspiring experience and can help us look "from the outside in" at what our deepest, most innermost self, really is. Ironically, it is not always what our egos and minds tell us, at all. That being said, I encourage you to also look for books by Stephen Cope, especially "Yoga and the Quest for the True Self." He is a psychotherapist and yoga instructor. He does a great job of explaining the transformation, internally, that yoga encourages. It asks us to dig into ourselves and find our true nature. I'm glad that the article is also encouraging you to challenge yourself and find yours! Best of luck and let us know how it goes! Welcome back to the mat ;) Yes, yoga, truly, is an inspiring experience and can help us look “from the outside in” at what our deepest, most innermost self, really is. Ironically, it is not always what our egos and minds tell us, at all.

That being said, I encourage you to also look for books by Stephen Cope, especially “Yoga and the Quest for the True Self.” He is a psychotherapist and yoga instructor. He does a great job of explaining the transformation, internally, that yoga encourages. It asks us to dig into ourselves and find our true nature. I’m glad that the article is also encouraging you to challenge yourself and find yours!

Best of luck and let us know how it goes!

]]> By: Sandy http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mindfulness-in-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-10025 Sandy Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:19:05 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=553#comment-10025 I have never been able to do yoga becasue I have never really had the patience to do things slowly enough. I am always on the go so it kind of goes against my nature to do it. However after reading the article and gaining a better insight for how it can help me not only physically but also on a spiritual and emotional level I think I am going to try incorporating it into my life again and hope to gain a deeper perspective from it this time around. I have never been able to do yoga becasue I have never really had the patience to do things slowly enough. I am always on the go so it kind of goes against my nature to do it. However after reading the article and gaining a better insight for how it can help me not only physically but also on a spiritual and emotional level I think I am going to try incorporating it into my life again and hope to gain a deeper perspective from it this time around.

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