Teaching Self-Care Through Mindfulness Practices: The Application of Yoga, Meditation, and Qigong to Counselor Training

Abstract

Faculty in counseling training programs often give voice to the importance of self-care for students during the training period and into practice after training is completed. However, few programs specifically address this issue in their curricula. To address this perceived need, a course was developed to provide students with (a) personal growth opportunities through self-care practices and (b) professional growth through mindfulness practices in counseling that can help prevent burnout. A focus group assessed course impact on students who reported significant changes in their personal lives, stress levels, and clinical training.

Effect of Mind/ Body Interventions on Levels of Anxiety, Stress and Depression Among Future Primary School Teacher: A Controlled Study // Efecto de intervenciones mente/cuerpo sobre los niveles de ansiedad, estrés y depresión en futuros docentes de educación primaria: un estudio controlado

“…In this sense, these interventions can be seen as a strategy to enhance self-care resources for staff and promote mental health among professionals (Christopher, Christopher, Dunnagan, & Schure, 2006;Franco et al, 2010) and students, in the case of teachers, when faced with, for example, high levels of stress during exam periods (Álvarez et al, 2012;Langer et al, 2015;Mendelson et al, 2013;Zenner, Herrnleben-Kurz, & Walach, 2014).…”

Investing in compassion: exploring mindfulness as a strategy to enhance interpersonal relationships in healthcare practice

“…There have been several small studies exploring the impact of mindfulness training with counseling/psychotherapy students, with reports of improvements in the therapeutic alliance following mindfulness training. [33][34][35] A review study by Escuriex and Labbe, [27] however, noted that the findings of these studies are not consistent, that there are weaknesses in methodology, and that therapists' personal levels of mindfulness were not necessarily related to improved treatment outcomes. They recommended future research to systematically explore this relationship in more depth.…”

Voices from the Desks: Exploring Student Experiences in Counselor Education

“…For example, activities like meditation have been found to help clinicians self-nurture, manage stress, and maintain social connectedness (Boellinghaus, Jones, & Hutton, 2013). Yoga, meditation, and qigong have also been used in counselor education resulting in beneficial personal and professional outcomes (Christopher, Christopher & Dunnagan, 2006). Other mindfulness practices have been recommended for increasing student self-efficacy in counseling practice (Greason & Cashwell, 2011).…”