– Reviewed by Jeremy Bidwell, Ph.D.
Mindfulness Training, which has been gaining increasing popularity in recent years, refers to learning the ability to take your mind off of “autopilot” when it is unintentionally ruminating about anxiety-provoking, distressing, or depressive thoughts. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a specific form of psychotherapy that combines Mindfulness Training with Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and has been shown in multiple clinical studies to be effective in treating several psychological difficulties.
Zindel Segal and Jon Kabat-Zin, two of the most recognized writers on the subject, developed a program of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with two colleagues and produced an excellent self-help book on it. The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness comes in both print and audio CD formats. Though geared for Depression, the book is a wonderful way for anyone to learn about Mindfulness Training and start applying it in their daily lives. I frequently recommend this book as an adjunct to therapy as it helps maximize the progress made by teaching mindfulness skills effectively between sessions.