Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
November 1, 2007
326 citations
Healthy adults who completed an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course reported greater improvements in emotional well-being and mindfulness compared to a wait-list control group, but showed no improvements in attentional control. Improvements in mindfulness after MBSR were correlated with better detection of objects in visual scenes, suggesting a link between mindfulness and non-directed attention.
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
March 16, 2014
Ben Shahar, Ohad Szepsenwol, Sigal Zilcha‐mano et al.
137 citations
Self-criticism is a risk factor for psychological disorders and predicts poor treatment response. A loving-kindness meditation (LKM) program designed to increase self-compassion was tested in 38 highly self-critical individuals randomly assigned to LKM or a wait-list. Compared with the wait-list, LKM led to significant reductions in self-criticism and depressive symptoms and significant increases in self-compassion and positive emotions. Gains were maintained at a 3-month follow-up. These preliminary results suggest that LKM may help self-critical individuals become less self-critical and more self-compassionate, and may reduce depressive symptoms and increase positive emotions.
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
November 13, 2009
102 citations
Two studies assessed the Breathworks mindfulness-based pain management programme. In the first pilot study, participants in the intervention group reported significant improvements in depression, outlook, catastrophizing, and pain self-efficacy, with particularly large effects for pain acceptance, while a comparison group showed no change. The second study found that scores on the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale increased significantly in the intervention group but not in the comparison group; no change occurred on a sustained attention measure. An Implicit Association Test suggested increased awareness of positive stimuli after the programme. The findings support the programme's short-term efficacy and the role of acceptance in chronic pain.
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
July 2, 2023
Aileen Kucsera, Trisha Suppes, Nancy A. Haug
27 citations
Mental health professionals in California report limited knowledge about the risks and benefits of psychedelic use, with average knowledge scores of 4.7 and 5.4 on a 10-point scale. 45% feel inadequately informed to counsel patients on psychedelic use. Despite this, 97% support additional research, 91% approve of medical use, and 89% believe in therapeutic benefits. 73% discuss psychedelics with patients, but 49% are uncomfortable addressing their effects. Greater knowledge correlates with more favorable attitudes and clinical practices. The findings indicate a need for better provider education on psychedelics.
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
December 26, 2023
Sascha Thal, Paris Baker, Jonathon Marinis et al.
1 citation
Serotonergic psychedelics and entactogens are being studied as adjuncts in substance-assisted psychotherapy (SAPT) for various disorders. SAPT includes three phases: preparation, administration, and integration, where insights from the psychedelic experience are applied to everyday life. A systematised review of 75 publications found that the effects of different therapeutic approaches for integration sessions on outcomes have not been rigorously investigated. Most available evidence lacks empirical data, limiting conclusions about appropriate frameworks. Current clinical studies mostly draw from the humanistic–experiential tradition. Although integration is considered crucial for safe SAPT, there is insufficient evidence to suggest any therapy type is effective for guiding integration sessions.