Mindfully Educating Our Future: The MESG Curriculum for Training Emergent Counselors

A Mindfulness Experiential Small Group to Help Students Tolerate Ambiguity

“…Except for Bohecker et al's () study, we did not find in the group literature studies examining (a) tools for CITs to navigate complex emotional states while simultaneously developing as counselors and (b) whether CITs transfer these skills into their personal and professional lives. Thus, we were curious if mindfulness could foster the learning and development of CITs, because the literature indicates that it reduces stress and anxiety and provides an opportunity for self‐reflection.…”

“…Mindfulness, in brief, is an observational activity that focuses on the senses and inner experiences (Bishop et al, 2004), and it can further be defined as intentional attention and noticing without judgment (Linehan, 1993). Mindfulness and elements of mindfulness practice have been integrated in many areas of professional counseling (Dimidjian & Linehan, 2003) and have been found to increase attention, advance empathy, reduce stress, and provide the opportunity for self-reflection (Bohecker, Wathen, Wells, Salazar, & Vereen, 2014;Brown, Marquis, & Guiffrida, 2013;Campbell & Christopher, 2012;Edwards, Adams, Waldo, Hadfield, & Biegel, 2014;Greason & Cashwell, 2009;Newsome, Waldo, & Gruszka, 2012). Specific to the present study, research has found mindfulness to be an effective tool for CITs to manage stressful and anxious situations (Baer, 2003;Bohecker et al, 2014;Brown et al, 2013;Campbell & Christopher, 2012;Edwards et al, 2014;Greason & Cashwell, 2009;Newsome et al, 2012).…”

“…The literature is clear that experiential growth groups foster CITs' personal and professional development. Adding mindfulness into group work aids in personal growth and awareness (Baer, 2003;Bishop et al, 2004;Bohecker et al, 2014;Brown et al, 2013;Campbell & Christopher, 2012;Greason & Cashwell, 2009;Kiweewa et al, 2013;Kline et al, 1997;Luke & Kiweewa, 2010;Newsome et al, 2012;Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). Mindfulness can be infused into an experiential training modality whereby CITs can acquire skills to facilitate growth while simultaneously developing as counselors.…”

Mindfulness Infusion Through CACREP Standards

“…The participants reported greater self-compassion-an element crucial to the counseling practice (Leppma, 2012). Bohecker, Vereen, Wells, and Wathen (2016) attended to counselor development, as well, through a grounded theory inquiry by exploring CIT process in an eight week mindfulness experience small group (MESG; Bohecker et al, 2014). MESG curriculum used mindfulness-based practices consisting of guided meditations, body scans, noting emotions in the body, self-compassion, and interpersonal skill development practices.…”

“…Mindfulness practices have been incorporated within curriculum of counselor education and training programs (Bohecker, Wathen, Wells, Salazar, & Vereen, 2014;Christopher & Maris, 2010). Benefits have included reduction of anxiety, depression, increasing empathy, and improving physical health (Christopher & Maris, 2010;Newsome, Waldo, & Gruzka, 2012).…”