Mindful Therapy: A Guide for Therapists and Helping Professionals

by Thomas Bien

Welcome and much-needed addition to the literature for psychotherapists, therapists-in-training, and occupational therapists and other types of teachers. Mindful Therap y offers to them ways to bring the teachings of Buddhism into a psychotherapeutic practice - and a thorough explanation of the benefits of doing so. The book will be of value to therapists of every variety, in the way that Medicine and Compassion , while molded for caregivers in general, was applauded by medical journals.

Author Tom Bien offers an energizing an expansive perspective. Grounded in his understanding of Buddhist teachings, his book suggests a model of integration of particular value to beginning therapists or those still in training, offering ways in which the therapist can mindfully care for themselves amid the challenges of their practice. Tools useful to clients, as well, are discussed.

Bien sees therapists as practicing in the ancient traditions of various healers of spirit, whose greatest skill and gift to others is, above all, the mindful presence.

Mindful Therapy is comprised of a useful, highly-readable balance of theoretical groundwork, personal experience, case studies, and practice exercises.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Buddhism

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2006

Reviews

[Paltia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a therapist and feeling like you just can't face another hour of feeling adrift - read this book. Reading this reinvigorated me and has me appoaching my work with new eyes. Thank you Mr. Bien.

[Myridian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes the way in which Bien approaches therapy from a mindful standpoint. As has been the case with most of the books of this type, there was little to no research behind it, but at least the author took the time to create references for the research that he did draw from. In addition, Bien's approach sounds so reasonable and the philosophy behind it is so appealing that I mostly overlooked the research gaps. Bien also includes practices in nearly every chapter that inspired me to try to take up my meditation practice again. I'm not sure I'll use these specific techniques with my patients, but the book was a wonderful reminder of how central just being present is to what we do. One thought that did nag at me through the book was how relevant these practices are to seriously mentally I'll populations.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a wonderful overview of what mindful therapy can/does look like. A basic work which might leave advanced mindfulness practitioners and therapists wanting more. Even so, this is a sound and respectable introduction to mindful therapy. I was especially enriched by the reminder to presence and deep listening which can indeed humanize our work as psychotherapists.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written very well and came up with some very good ideas of how to be there for the client. This is one I'll look for to own.

[Jenny Leung]

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