Basically, forming a therapeutic relationship has remained to be a challenge more so among the beginners of therapists simply because they are not being taught by the MFT educators despite being a vital requirement.
In the recent past, a few researches aimed at understanding the theory behind the connection between practical mindfulness and therapeutic relationships. Research has further shown that students who have been trained through mindfulness practices are more likely to show empathy while counseling clients unlike to those who have not undergone through mindfulness training, (Segal, Williams, & Teasdale, 2018).
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Therapeutic presence is also considered to be a condition where the therapist give their full attention to the clients based on their experience (Amutio-Kareaga, et al, 2017). In other words, the clients must feel the full presence of therapists rather than the actual activities or skills.
Furthermore, mindfulness is a situation where the therapist is non-judgmental while interacting with the client. This builds the sense of confidence thus ease the interactions between the client and the therapist (Germer, Siegel, & Fulton, 2016). In medical practtioning, mindfulness has been adopted especially when it comes to the treatment and management of certain mental disorders such as depression, substance abuse, anxiety, as well as eating disorders.
Generally, the therapeutic process has remained difficult to understand even among the therapist given the fact that it involves various personalities such as empathy, compassion, and presence. In the proposed study, the area of purpose is an examination of the new therapists when it becomes to understanding mindfulness meditation to develop a therapeutic presence. Research questions addressed were whether using mindfulness meditation to teach beginning therapists therapeutic presence is effective in the mental treatment or not.
The overall purpose was to conduct a qualitative study using mindfulness meditation to teach beginning therapists therapeutic presence. Main themes included the effects of meditation practices, one’s ability to be present, whether one can balance being as well as ability to do modes. The new ideas established from the paper is that for the success of clinical training to be witnessed, then mindfulness meditation is an essential requirement. The findings were necessary to be published as it contributes to the body of the knowledge gap.
Methods
In this study, the target population was students who were taking their normal courses. They were requested to give their experience as far as mediation is concerned. This was a voluntary experience and the students were to give both of their positive and negative experiences. Thirteen students were ready to submit their journals for research purposes. Seven students were males while females were 6 with a range of 22-60 years. Some of the students whose journals were used were gay (1), Armenian (1), Latino (1) and white or causation (10).
The number of students selected in the study was 13 and they were selected by use of opportunistic sampling technique. The main research tool explored in this study was journal reviews where the students had an opportunity to respond to certain aspects of mindfulness in form of questions. The research procedure involved giving the students an opportunity to respond to some journals every week. However, there were no incentives that were given to the participants.
Results
In this study, thirteen students submitted their journals for research purposes. Seven students were males while females were 6 with a range of 22-60 years. Some of the students whose journals were used were gay (1), Armenian (1), Latino (1) and white or causation (10). The findings in this study indicate that mindfulness helped the new therapist be present in their sessions. Further, the results confirmed that the students were able to be keen and attend to client’s experiences without being judgmental. The students appreciated the role of mindfulness in a therapeutic work and that it helped them remain calm while undertaking their sessions.
In this study, the thematical analysis was used to identify the main themes which were; being present, effects of mediation, shift in mode and compassion and acceptance were the main themes that were identified in the study. The only identified table was on the themes and subthemes. All themes have been described within the text. The table is standing alone and easy to understand.
Discussion
In summary, the findings of this study are relevant to the established problem. For instance, the practice of mindfulness among the students exposed them to a therapeutic presence which is key in mental health practices. Other researchers also established that mindfulness helped the new therapist to show presence during sessions with the clients, (Germer, Siegel, & Fulton, 2016).
Moreover, the study established a shift in mode and compassion and acceptance among the new therapists. Through this, the new therapist has gained confidence while interacting with the clients. Again, (Amutio-Kareaga, et al, 2017) established that mindfulness studies helped learners to show a shift in mode and compassion and acceptance while interacting with the clients. Through these findings, the hypotheses were supported.
Limitations
Unfortunately, these findings are limited in the fact that it is only qualitative, and no quantitative results were established thus reduces its strength of generalizability.
Implications
This study implies that there is a relationship between mindfulness and therapeutic relationship despite only 13 students participated. Thus, there is a need to expand the scope of the study area.
Strengths and weaknesses
Qualitative research is detailed given the fact that respondents had their time to give an in-depth understanding concerning an issue. This form the main strength of this paper. However, the paper lacks quantitative research which could have acted as a reference point for comparison as far as the findings are concerned.
To note the findings were very important to the readers with a valid conclusion even though the material was not technical since it is a social research. Personally, I am impressed with the study and find it worthwhile. The paper is well written though the abstract is not detailed hence lacking some useful information. This paper is very relevant given that it has some relationship to the general weekly readings.
References
Amutio-Kareaga, A., García-Campayo, J., Delgado, L. C., Hermosilla, D., & Martínez-Taboada, C. (2017). Improving communication between physicians and their patients through mindfulness and compassion-based strategies: a narrative review. Journal of clinical medicine , 6 (3), 33.
Germer, C., Siegel, R. D., & Fulton, P. R. (Eds.). (2016). Mindfulness and psychotherapy . Guilford Publications.
Segal, Z. V., Williams, M., & Teasdale, J. D. (2018). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression . Guilford Publications.
