Mindfulness
You’ve been hearing about it trending for a few years, but what is it?
In your mind you may be conjuring images of monks sitting cross-legged on a mountain top, and may be tempted to think things like:
“Wouldn’t that be nice? But that’s not realistic, no one can feel that calm”.
“I’ve tried it-it doesn’t work for me. I must be too stressed out for it”.
“Who has time for that?”
“Whenever I try to close my eyes and breathe all I think about is all the stuff I have to get done”.
Well, I hear you. Let’s talk about what mindfulness really is, and how it is useful…
Mindfulness as a Tool to Reclaim Your Life
Mindfulness is the practice of becoming aware of what we are experiencing in the present moment; living in the here and now. We do not realize it but much of our time is spent in what you could call an “autopilot” state, which can contribute to a sense of living life just “going through the motions”, leading to an overall feeling of lack of fulfillment.
While going through your mindfulness journey, you may find that you more quickly become aware of that floating through life feeling. This will give you the opportunity to take a mindful pause to re-center and step into the current moment you are craving to feel present for.
Understanding When Mindfulness Helps—and When It Doesn’t
Here is how I use it in therapy… I enjoy tailoring mindfulness exercises to fit each person’s life and how they can best integrate it into their day. We first have to start with how you are experiencing lack of presence in your life, and what you hope to gain from mindfulness. From there we practice mindfulness skills so that you become familiar enough with it that you can utilize it anytime you need.
Some psychological and physiological benefits of mindfulness when practiced…
- Doing a mindfulness session can lower your heart rate and even blood pressure when practiced over time.
- Slowing the autonomic nervous system’s response to stress.
- Decreased feelings of anxiety or chaos on a hectic day.
Improved ability to fall asleep at night. - Can contribute to overall feelings of fulfillment and presence.
Mindfulness is a tool-not a superpower. It is important to note that mindfulness may not be applicable in every instance of emotional distress. If for example you are experiencing an acute depressive period, or have recently experienced a significant loss, it may not be the optimal time for you to engage in mindfulness. So don’t worry if the calm and fully present vibe isn’t something that feels right for you right now. Every individual is different, and when working together we will determine what the best road for therapy will be to support you in achieving your mental health goals
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We only have one life to live, and we all deserve the support we need to thrive. Feeling ready to address multiple areas of mental health & wellness? Awesome–let’s jump in!
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Together we’ll come up with an individualized treatment plan to address the areas in which you feel you’d like to start addressing. If you’re interested in this, let’s chat about it on your consultation call.
Please note: I have limited slots available. Book your session today to reserve your spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
My approach to treating your mental health from a holistic perspective is what sets me apart as a clinician. I am a Certified Integrative Mental Health Provider, and this gives me a lens that broadens the scope of the questions I will ask so that I can support you across the many areas of life that feed into your mental health goals. I not only want to hear about what is bringing you into therapy, I want to hear about all of the pieces that make you who you are. I’m interested in lifestyle, nutrition, sleep, spirituality/faith, physical activity, and relationships to name a few.
I am private pay only, and do not accept insurance. However, you will receive a Superbill after each session showing what you have paid, and you can send these to your insurance to request reimbursement if you’d like.
No, not at this time. All sessions are conducted over a secure, online video platform.
Whether it’s about a relationship, or you’re just not feeling like yourself; it’s usually a good idea to get started sooner than later when you notice the concern. When you feel ready, reach out for a 15-minute free consultation.
Yes! Mindfulness has a range of health benefits, and I enjoy helping clients learn how to integrate it into their daily lives. If mindfulness skills are an area of interest for you, we can make that a part of therapy specific to your mental health goals.
The therapy process is different for everyone, and can be uncomfortable at times. Research has shown that overall, people typically feel some relief from their reporting symptoms after engaging in as few as 8 sessions of therapy.
No, only a professional with an MD can prescribe medications. This includes Psychiatrists, and General Practitioner medical doctors. If you already have a prescribing MD for your medications, you can sign a release of information so that I can communicate with your physician when necessary about your care to support your mental health goals.
Phone: 858.480.5240 | Email: as*****************@gm***.com
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