Introduction & Theoretical Background
Mindfulness-based programs such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT: Segal, Williams & Teasdale, 2013) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR: Kabat-Zinn, 1990) have demonstrated beneficial effects for a wide range of psychological disorders, as well as helping people to cope with pain and illness (Goink et al, 2015; Khoury et al, 2013). Mindful awareness exercises form part of treatment approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT: Linehan, 1993) and compassion focused therapy (CFT: Gilbert, 2014).
Being With Difficulty forms part of the Psychology Tools For Mindfulness Audio Collection, a guided introduction to the practice of mindfulness meditation. A number of therapeutic approaches, notably Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourage the practice of mindfully paying attention to our thoughts and feelings as they arise. This exercise uses gently encourages the participant to bring present-moment awareness to bear upon thoughts and feelings that are more difficult or distressing. By working through the body