Certificate in Mindfulness Practice

This unit considers various contexts in which mindfulness has been practiced over time, its overlap with – and difference from – other meditative and contemplative traditions, and the ‘modern mindfulness’ movement current in the West. The unit considers how the ancient practices and philosophies of mindfulness have been adapted for a secular context and explores Jon Kabat-Zinn’s influential ‘attitudes of mindfulness’ as a basis for developing an effective personal and professional practice. Different areas where mindfulness is being practiced and promoted, from health clinics to corporations, are considered, along with important questions about how mindfulness is being used.

All guidelines for using mindfulness in helping roles recognise the crucial role played by the helper’s own mindfulness practice. This unit continues the base-building that started in Unit 1, taking learners through the process of planning and starting their own mindfulness practice, including guidance for a variety of popular mindfulness exercises and tips for maintaining a consistent practice when this becomes challenging.

In this unit, learners come to understand how mindfulness is being used in the helping professions. After surveying a number of current mindfulness-based interventions, the research on the effects of mindfulness is investigated, including its use to support mental health, reduce stress, and enhance relationships. While looking at the exciting recent developments, the limitations in the current body of research and areas for improvement is also considered.

Good practice is underpinned by the common values and ethical considerations of the helping professions. In this unit, the ethical and appropriate integration of mindfulness into helping practice is considered, with a particular focus on duty of care, assessing risks, identifying contraindications, and responding to adverse events. The unit synthesises a number of current works from mindfulness authorities relating to its use with clients, and presents a summary to guide helping professionals as they start to use mindfulness in their work roles.

This unit guides learners through assessing the suitability of mindfulness as part of their work with particular clients; selecting and tailoring mindfulness exercises to client interests, preferences, and needs; introducing clients to mindfulness; informed consent processes; guiding clients through a variety of mindfulness practices; and helping clients learn from and through their experiences with mindfulness. It includes guidance on creating case conceptualisations to support these processes, and encourages learners to bring their existing professional knowledge and skills to bear as they consider how to integrate mindfulness into their particular helping practices.

While some clients will be satisfied by using mindfulness practices in their helping sessions, many will want to develop their own mindfulness practice. This unit considers different ways that clients can integrate mindfulness into their daily lives, from informal mindful activities to lengthier mindfulness meditations. The utilisation of established behaviour change strategies to assist clients develop and maintain their own mindfulness practice is also considered.

This unit provides a deeper look at the major mindfulness-based interventions and the therapies that integrate less formal mindfulness practices and concepts, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). In particular, mindfulness concepts and informal practices, core to many of the processes in ACT, are considered in practice.

The Certificate in Mindfulness Practice is concluded by revisiting the practice ethics that underpin helping work and considering how helping professionals who integrate mindfulness into their work can meet their ethical responsibilities. Crucial topics such as critically reflecting on the use of mindfulness in helping work, finding supervision to assist in continuous improvement processes, and further training opportunities, are also covered. Helping professionals using mindfulness practice as part of their self-care processes is also explored.