Mindfulness: A Primrose Path for Therapists Using Manualized Treatments?

Abstract

During the past 2 decades, the popularity of mindfulness as a desirable patient characteristic has increased considerably. Described as the tendency to be attentive to and aware of what is occurring in the moment, mindfulness is incorporated into several established therapeutic techniques, with some impressive outcome data. To our knowledge, there have been no treatment studies investigating the effect of therapist mindfulness on therapy outcome. The current study examined the relation between therapist mindfulness and client treatment outcome in a university-affiliated clinic utilizing manualized, empirically supported treatments. Twenty-three doctoral-level trainees provided services to 144 adult clients. Results suggested that higher levels of therapist mindfulness predicted less reduction in client symptom severity at termination. Current findings suggest consideration of possible limitations regarding mindfulness in therapists utilizing manualized therapies.

Health Care Providers’ Mindfulness and Treatment Outcomes: A Critical Review of the Research Literature

“…In sum, therapist mindfulness was a significant predictor of clients' global functioning at termination, and the relationship between mindfulness and outcome was negative. Stanley et al (2006) conclude that none of the analyses they conducted gave support to the idea that higher levels of therapist mindfulness contribute to better therapeutic outcomes when manualized treatments are used. Stratton (2006) designed a study to evaluate the relationship between trait-level therapist mindfulness and treatment outcomes, as well.…”

“…Therapists' mindfulness was measured, as was clients' symptom severity, symptom improvement, and overall functioning. None of the analyses conducted by Stanley et al (2006) showed support for the role of therapist mindfulness as a significant predictor of positive treatment outcomes. In fact, greater therapist mindfulness was associated with worse treatment outcome.…”

“…These meditators concluded that mindfulness contributes to empathy by allowing full awareness of experiences in the mind and body, by the therapist's own ability to use mindfulness to slow clients down and help clients learn about themselves, by cultivation of a nonjudgmental presence with the client's experiences, by assisting the client in being calmer and less reactive, and by developing loving kindness. Stanley et al (2006) investigated the impact of therapist mindfulness on therapy outcome. Doctoral level trainees in a university outpatient community mental health center provided manualized psychotherapy to adult clients.…”

Mindfulness e Psychological Mindedness enquanto posturas terapêuticas: Relação com o processo de mudança em psicoterapia

“…Enquanto "posturas", serão constituintes da "consciência da experiência". Neste sentido, os terapeutas que são tendencialmente mindful nas suas vidas pessoais (o que, nessa circunstância, determina a característica como "traço", parte do self do terapeuta), poderão estar menos mindful enquanto terapeutas (Stanley et al, 2006)…”

“…A potencial utilidade da prática pessoal de mindfulness para terapeutas é uma qualidade terapêutica desejável, quer a nível pessoal, quer a nível profissional (Hick, 2008;Dryden & Still, 2006;Stanley et al, 2006). Germer (2005) defende que a mindfulness pode "tornar-se um constructo que aproxima a teoria clínica, a investigação e a prática, e ajuda a integrar as vidas pessoal e profissional dos terapeutas" (p. 11).…”