Mindfulness Based Therapy For Teens
BasePoint Academy Offers Mindfulness Based Therapy For Teens That Brings Clinical Psychology & Mindfulness Based Practices Together
Mindfulness-Based Therapeutic Interventions: Live In The Present Moment
Teens who struggle with mental health challenges or substance use often feel alone, out of control or misunderstood when it comes to their emotions. Whether they’re struggling with anxiety disorders, emotional distress, depression, or chronic pain, mindfulness practices can help them self-soothe and restore mental or emotional balance.
The mind and body become physically and emotionally drained when constantly planning, problem-solving, fantasizing, or racing through negative thoughts. It’s okay to give your mind a break. It’s okay to let go. Your well-being is critical.
We can help you or your teen embrace the present and take intentional actions with Mindfulness Therapy for teens in Dallas.
What Is Mindfulness Based Therapy?
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a form of psychotherapy that connects the application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Mindfulness practices. This evidence-backed and recovery-driven therapeutic modality teaches teens how to be presently mindful in order to decrease emotional reactivity.
At the moment when a teen is experiencing difficult emotions, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (CBT) equips them to identify feelings of emotional distress. They will also learn the coping skills necessary to interrupt their automatic thought patterns and respond more productively.
Learning to identify harmful or irrational thought patterns in psychotherapy sessions is also what’s known as Cognitive Restructuring. This process of changing the way one thinks is the key to changing or ceasing undesirable behavior.
Bringing clinical psychology and mindfulness-based approaches together is the most effective way to provide holistic treatment and support for our teens. Where Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify negative thinking, Mindfulness training and talk therapy help teen patients live more in the present moment.
As they decrease emotional distress, they will develop a stronger appreciation for what’s happening around them and be more equipped to transform negative behaviors into positive actions.
What The MBCT Program Looks Like At BasePoint Academy
Mindfulness meditation sessions will be applied by a teen-focused mental health professional who is trained in clinical counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness techniques. During their individual and group therapy sessions, the patient will learn traditional Mindfulness practices as well as Mindfulness-based stress reduction.
From applying talk therapy and helping the teen practice mindfulness to meditation programs, breathing exercises, and meditative practices, the provider will work with the patient on whatever mindfulness practices will be the most effective for that specific patient.
Other mindfulness exercises include conducting an internal body scan, mindful seeing, mindful listening, and connecting the five senses. For teens struggling with mental health or substance abuse, the opportunity to develop and practice mindfulness is essential to identifying triggers, negative thinking, and difficult emotions and learning to manage them on their own.
How Mindfulness Based Therapy Helps Dallas Teens
The benefits of mindfulness practices can have a lifelong impact on teens and dramatically improve their daily lives. Learning mindfulness-based interventions through meditation programs can help patients with stress management and emotional regulation and reduce the risk of depressive relapse.
As part of BPA’s Resiliency Program, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for depression, recurrent depression, and depressive episodes, teens can learn how to reduce depressive systems through mindfulness-based interventions for depression. Those suffering from anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, other mood disorders, or simply struggle with difficult emotions can begin Mindfulness training and learn to mitigate emotional distress.
Evidence-based mindfulness exercises can also help with chronic pain and Borderline Personality Disorder by helping them recognize what’s happening in the present moment, recall their relaxation training, and take actions in a mindful way.
The effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based programs and mindfulness-based stress reduction practices can also help teens improve their interpersonal effectiveness. As they navigate negative thinking, they’re empowered to reduce emotional reactivity and depressive symptoms. This reduces the risk of depressive relapse, and they will learn to engage in more thoughtful interactions.
Examples Of Mindfulness Practices
The effectiveness of mindfulness-based practices in the field of psychiatry is exponential. Coping skills learned in mindfulness programs will vary depending on that patient’s individualized treatment program but could include some or all of the following mindfulness exercises. As with all mindfulness-based interventions, the patient’s holistic well-being is the ultimate goal.
Breathing Exercises
The patient will learn to focus their attention on their breathing, both inhale and exhale. This can be done in any place or position but is most effective when lying down or comfortable.
The patient will learn strategic and therapeutic breathing techniques to help them focus on what their body is doing and set aside any other thoughts.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a practice of focusing on all the senses and feelings that the patient is experiencing without assigning judgment or trying to interpret them. Patients will learn how to direct their attention in a healthier way and prevent intensifying symptoms or depressive relapse.
Grounding
Grounding is a meditation practice that is a blend of breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques. By acknowledging their surroundings, the patient can begin to calm down or self-soothe. Grounding is especially effective for teens working through past trauma or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or struggling with relapse prevention.
Movement and Exercise
Mindfulness exercises and movements teach the patient to recognize when they’re feeling physical tension and begin to address it through a series of simple exercises. This also serves to encourage self-compassion
From rolling their shoulders and stretching their arms to twisting the body and going limp like a wet noodle, there are many ways to connect the mind to any body movement to promote relaxation and prevention of relapse.
Mindfulness-Based Art Therapies
Artistic pursuits naturally engage both the mind and body. When mindfulness programs are applied together with Art Therapy activities, it enhances the best elements of both modalities. These therapy sessions help the patient release their emotions in a mindful way and develop greater insight into their psychological state to reduce the risk of relapse prevention and exercise greater degrees of self-compassion.
Mindful Music Therapy
Music is a natural mood shifter. As an evidence-based type of therapy, music therapy is a modality that leverages music’s natural effects and helps teens overcome their mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and chronic depression or a depressive disorder. Mindfulness techniques, together with music therapy, help patients focus on positive outcomes rather than past choices or events.
Body Scan
A body scan is a common practice of mindfulness meditation. The patient will learn to tune in to their body and reconnect with their physical self.
They will learn to recognize sensations without assigning judgment, blame, or any negative emotions. The goal of these mindfulness techniques is to train the mind and increase awareness of sensory experiences.
